Bridal Consulting Group

Weddings are a chance for families and friends to come together to celebrate a joyous occasion, but sometimes certain people can't attend. Whether it be because they've passed away, inability to travel or another circumstance, there can still be ways to commemorate that person and make them a part of the wedding. Here are a few suggestions from Glamour.com on how to involve even those who can't attend.

1. Leave a "reserved" seat: Place a picture of the loved one in a designated chair so you can still feel as though they are there. If they are skyping from another location, place the laptop in their seat (make sure to do plenty of tests to ensure it's working properly). Be sure to put the picture of the loved one in a heavy frame so it doesn't blow away during the ceremony.
2. Give them a "shout out" in the program: Keep it short and sweet and just mention that even though you love them they couldn't be here today. Remember this is a happy occasion so no one wants to be crying over a lost loved one when they should be crying happy tears for the couple.
3. Display their favorite things: If the loved one really loved a certain candy or type of flower, find a way to incorperate it into the wedding day. While it's not an outright reference, those who knew and love the person will understand the significance and make them feel as though that loved one is still there.
4. Mention them in the speech: Again, remember this is a happy occasion so keep it short and sweet. By making a note during the service or reception, they're being brought to attention and everyone will know they're missed.
5. Donations to a charity on behalf of the loved one: In lieu of gifts, the bride and groom may choose to donate money to a charity that represents that person. Whether it's for cancer research or a donation to their church, doing something to honor those who can't be there is a great way to involve them and make a difference in the world.

For those involved in wedding planning, like those taking wedding planner training courses at Ashworth College, what other ideas do you have? Did you have a way to remember loved ones in your wedding?

Today, being Valentines Day, love is in the air and romance is on everyone's lips. This iconic date for lovebirds is traditionally so romantic that it serves as a popular date for couples to walk down the aisle and proclaim their love in front of friends and family. While holding a wedding on Valentine's Day is an easy to remember anniversary date and ensures a plethora of romantic gifts to choose from, is getting married on Valentine's Day too cliché?

For those looking to get married to their valentine on February 14, having a red, white or pink color scheme is often implied. While choosing another color can certainly be done, it's common for guests to expect you to stick with the theme by choosing a date with a preconceived color scheme.

If the bride and groom are cautious with their budget, choosing a Valentine's wedding has it's pro's and con's. The actual cost of the wedding may be more expensive because people are looking to wed on that date so companies may raise their prices on that day. That being said, because Valentine's Day and anniversary's will be altogether, that's only one expensive dinner and one gift down the road.

After graduating from taking online wedding planner courses - like the ones offered at Ashworth College, would you lead a bride and groom to get married on Valentine's Day? What are your personal thoughts on walking down the aisle on February 14: cute or cheesy?

To find out more visit Ashworth College's online wedding planner courses

The bigger the wedding, the bigger the budget and with that comes a bigger headache.  The average cost of a wedding varies, but most reports say the number is around $25,000!  Although that number can vary depending on budget, throwing a wedding is not a cheap affair.  Whether you're planning your own wedding or want to work in wedding planning careers, trying to work within the confines of a budget can be stressful.  Here are some ways to trim a little off.

• Getting married during "peak season" is likely to cost you extra.  Try walking down the aisle during late summer or winter and save as much as 20% off your venue cost.
• Instead of trimming one or two people at a time, cut by table numbers.  That will save not only on plates of food, but on the tables themselves and the decorations that go on them.
• Use seasonal flowers.  They're cheaper, more abundant, and since you can buy locally, you'll be able to help the local economy.
• While alcohol makes a reception fun, it's not cheap.  Stick to offering beer and wine or having a few specialty cocktails to prevent having to pay a hefty bar tab.
• Giving your photographer a curfew is a great way to save.  Have the photographer there for the ceremony and the beginning of the party, but then send them home.  No one wants pictures of drunk, sweaty, messy guests at the end of the night anyways.
• As a general rule, DJs are way cheaper than a live band.  There is also more of a variety of music and it's easier to take requests from guests.

What other money saving tips do you know of?

Growing up, many little girls dream of looking like a princess on their wedding day.  Other than Kate Middleton, no princess has captured the world's attention quite like the Disney princesses.  Belle, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Jasmine, and Snow White (along with the other lesser known princesses) serve as the inspiration for many brides and those in wedding planner careers who make their fantasy day a reality.

So what should you do if you want a Disney wedding?  Tone down on the obvious and look to the essence of who each princess is to bring that element into your big day.

Cinderella - This is the most obvious choice as most brides want that Cinderella moment.  Everyone remembers that scene in the movie where she walks in and the entire crowd gasps and every bride wants to recreate that moment.  To add the Cinderella touch you'll need sparkly shoes, some chocolate mice, and a tiara.

Tiana - Hailing from New Orleans, Tiana is a southern princess.  Incorporate those southern touches by having traditional southern foods and some vintage accessories.  Add in some green details (she did spend most of the film as a frog) and your wedding will have subtle hints of the bayou.

Jasmine - Princess Jasmine is all about color, flair, and bright accessories.  This is the type of wedding to bring out the jewel tones and any fun, middle eastern accessories.  Birdcages (to remind us of Iago) make great centerpieces and don't forget the Persian rugs!

Rapunzel - Rapunzel is all about hidden love and romance so think light pinks and greens as a color palate.  She spent a lot of her time locked away so beautiful old keys can play a role in your theme as well.

Pocahontas - For the bohemain Disney lover, Poahontas is a great choice for you.  Bring in a love for nature and an appreciation for earthy tones here. 

Ariel - Perfect for a beach wedding, think sea colors (so blues and tans) as your color palate.  Bring in touches of the sea such as seashells, starfish, and sand to accessorize with.

Belle-  Bring in some rustic yet glamorous pieces to recreate Belle's world in France.

Aurora - Sleeping Beauty is all about romance so make this wedding very soft and etherial.  Color themes should be pink and blue because who can forget the scene where her dress changes between those two colors?

Mulan - Think Jade green and a spread of Chinese food to symbolize this princess!  Dragon accessories and fortune cookies help bring Mulan's world to life.

Snow White - If the groom has six groomsmen (with the groom being the seventh) that would be perfect to recreate the dwarves!  This works great in an outdoor setting and of course, don't forget the apples.

What do you think of this?

More than a party and a gathering of friends and family, a wedding is the joining of two people who are in love.  These two people have a history together and therefore have things that are significant to them as a couple.  Ensure the day is all about you two as a couple by incorperating items that have meaning and represent your personalities.  Here are some ideas.

1. If the bride and groom met in Central Park or got engaged while on vacation in Napa Valley, use those important locations in the wedding.  Can't decide on a venue?  Add the special, personalized touch by hosting it in a place that has meaning.
2. Incorperate your favorite things into the wedding or the reception.  For instance, if you bonded over a love of books and coffee, have a coffee bar or coffee cake served at the end of the reception or have a book themed party.
3. Use your favorite songs to not only dance to, but as decorations.  Put lyrics to your favorite songs on cards and put those cards on the tables. 
4. Do you have a favorite past time that you both enjoy? "I have a wedding next Sunday. They love to bicycle ride. That's their thing," said Mindy Weiss, a well known woman in wedding planning careers. "So it's 'a bicycle built for two.' That's the theme. We're bringing that into the whole look of the wedding. We didn't overdo it, but we did put that little logo in unexpected places, like little corners of napkins. And we're bringing it into the decor at the seating card table."
5. One personalized wedding touch that a lot of couples do?  Use their favorite colors as part of the wedding theme.  It's easy and it will be something that you both love.

Do you have any other ideas?