​Your wedding day is one of the most important moments of your life. After exchanging vows and celebrating with family and friends, it’s time to sit down and think about how to allocate the generous gifts received from loved ones. While it may be tempting to splurge on the latest gadget or luxury item, there are other ways to responsibly allocate your wedding gift funds that can help set you up for a strong financial future. Today, The Dress Matters shares some tips and resources to help you get started.

Invest in Artwork

One unique way to commemorate your special day is by purchasing a piece of artwork. Art pieces can appreciate in value over time, providing a meaningful and lasting reminder of your wedding celebration. You can also support local artists and small businesses in your community by purchasing art pieces from them. Make sure to do your research to ensure that you’re investing in a high-quality piece that will retain its value over time.

Open a Business

Investing your wedding gift funds in a shared passion and starting a business together can offer the freedom to work on something you both enjoy. From food trucks to online businesses, there are many options to explore. Before taking the plunge, it's important to create a solid business plan and use your gift funds as seed money.

Long-term Investment

To grow your nest egg for the future, consider opening a long-term investment account such as stocks or mutual funds. By investing your wedding gift funds, you’re giving yourself a better chance of achieving your financial goals. It’s important to remember that investments come with risks, so it’s crucial to do your research and work with a trusted financial adviser to help guide you through the process.

Buy a House

Another prudent way to use this windfall is to put it towards a down payment for a house. This is a significant step towards long-term financial stability and building a life together. Before diving into this venture, it's crucial to thoroughly explore the local real estate market to get a clear idea of what you can afford. Researching the current housing trends, understanding mortgage rates, and determining the type of property that fits both your needs and financial constraints will ensure that your investment is both wise and feasible. 

Use Planning to Save on Your Next Vacation

Effective planning can significantly contribute to saving money on vacations. By carefully researching and booking accommodations, flights, and activities in advance, you can often secure better deals and take advantage of early-bird discounts. Planning also allows you to create a realistic budget, prioritize expenses, and identify cost-saving opportunities. For instance, if you’re a fan of Disney World, you know the costs can quickly add up – so click here for a valuable resource that can help you plan more thoroughly, allowing you to take advantage of various sales and discounts.

Make Charitable Contributions

Instead of using your wedding gift funds on material things, consider donating to a charitable cause that speaks to your heart. There are countless organizations out there that could benefit from your generosity. Whether it’s a local animal shelter or a global humanitarian organization, giving back can be a rewarding experience and can make a positive impact on the world.

New Car

If you’re in need of a new car, consider setting your wedding gift funds aside for this purpose. A reliable car is essential for commuting to work and running errands, and having a fund saved up can help you avoid taking on unnecessary debt in the future. Before purchasing a car, make sure to research the best models for your budget and lifestyle.

Pay Off Student Loans

If you or your spouse have student loans, it is worth considering using your wedding gift funds to pay them off entirely or reduce the balance significantly. This approach could offer a clean financial slate, freeing up your monthly budget for other financial objectives. By doing so, you can put the extra money towards investing in your retirement accounts or saving for a house, among other things.

Upgrade Household Items

If you’re in need of essential household items like appliances, consider using your wedding gift funds to upgrade them. Upgrading appliances can save you money in the long run, as newer models tend to be more energy-efficient and cost less to operate. Make sure to do your research and buy high-quality products that will last a long time.

When it comes to wedding gift funds, responsible allocation can make a big difference in your future financial plans. Instead of simply spending the money on material possessions or short-term luxuries, consider investing in things that will have long-term benefits. Smart financial decisions like investing in artwork, starting a business together, putting money towards a down payment on a home, or any of the other ideas presented can be great ways to use your wedding gift funds wisely and secure your financial future.

Take the stress out of finding your wedding gown by visiting The Dress Matters. We offer a relaxing and fun environment that makes it easier to choose the dress of your dreams. Visit our site today to find out more! ​

Suppose your big day is coming up soon, but you're not looking forward to it as much because a lack of finances is looking like it will spoil your special day. To save money, Visit The Dress Matters Bridal Boutique and Tuxedos to find that gorgeous and perfect wedding gown you've always wanted for less. So, if it's money issues that have got you feeling a little down, here are some ways to earn extra money to spend lavishly on your wedding day. ​

At The Dress Matters, we love helping brides find the perfect dress for their wedding. It's the second yes brides will say and it's best to go to your appointment prepared. Here are a few things, you'll want to bring.

For a successful wedding dress shopping experience, don't forget:
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1. Inspiration. Bringing along pictures to show your bridal consultant. This is important so that the correct dresses are pulled for you. 

2. Proper undergarments. If you plan to wear any undergarments, such as spanx, bring them. You'll get the best view with the undergarments.

3. Your entourage. We encourage you to bring those closest to you that can help you make a decision. It's best to bring 5 people or less. Too many people with too many opinions make it difficult to make a decision.

4. A realistic budget. It is best to know how much you can spend on a dress. You can call ahead of time to ensure your budget can be accommodated. There's nothing worse than falling in love with a dress that is out of your budget.

Once you have all the needed items, make an appointment. Appointments should br made 10-12 months before your wedding so that the dress arrives in time. Plan ahead to make your wedding planning less stressful!
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​You’re already expected to sweat on your wedding day from nerves, but summer weddings can certainly make you perspire a little more than you’d prefer. Can you fix that entirely? Eh, probably not. Can you minimize it so your new men’s wedding band doesn’t slide off your finger while you’re saying your vows? Yeah, that you can do. If you’re a groom with a summer wedding coming up, read on for some helpful tips and considerations.

​What to Keep in Mind for Summer Weddings
 
Part of your style is going to be dictated by the wedding itself. While you can wear what you like, of course, you’re still at the mercy of Mother Nature.
 
Having an Indoor Wedding Certainly Isn’t a Crime
We get it — it’s summer, and there are bluebird skies out. You want to smell the fresh air and enjoy the sun. However, no one will blame you for staying indoors when the heat pushes up toward triple digits. In fact, the gentlemen in three-piece suits will probably thank you profusely.
 
Err on the Side of Shorter Ceremonies
Your wedding shouldn’t be a utilitarian affair. However, you should consider striking a nice balance between beauty and efficiency. Don’t cut any non-negotiables, but see where you can trim the fat on the itinerary — especially if you’re outside.
 
You Have Lots of Style Options
Summer arguably has the greatest flexibility in style of any season, especially for weddings. You two can coordinate outfits that nicely complement your his and hers wedding bands. You can do really exciting floral arrangements, brightly colored themes or whatever it is that sounds fun to you. Either way, get creative!
 
Summer Wedding Style Tips for the Groom
 
1.Pick Your Materials Well
Not all materials were made the same when it comes to summer suiting. You probably know not to wear heavy cottons or wools during the summer, but what do you wear? Well, you’ve got several options, but you’re better off erring on the side of lighter materials. Cotton is alright, but consider linen or poplin as well.

2. Black Tie Isn’t the Only Formality Level
Okay, if you want to split well-styled hairs, black tie is never the only formality level at a wedding. More so, what we mean is that the sort of standard level of formality that’s the default for weddings isn’t your only option here. Consider brighter colors and lighter materials, if nothing else. Though if you wanna have fun with some patterns and unique color combinations, have at it.
 
3. Time of Day Matters
Both in terms of why you wear what you wear and how hot it is outside. This is also a standard rule, as cocktail and formal attire are different year-round. However, the time of day is going to be especially important when you pick your summer wedding attire. You just have so much more flexibility than you do in the colder months that it’d be a shame not to use everything at your disposal.
 
Many weddings are in the afternoon, so consider something between smart casual and cocktail. Of course, you’re welcome to go as formal as you like, but those dress codes tend to be most in line with the season.
 
4. Light Colors Are Your Friend
Both in terms of heat and style, really. You won’t be reaching for as many pastel colors as you would in spring, but you still have a swath of light colors to choose from. With so many options, you’re sure to find something that’s going to work for you.
 
5. Can You Wear Shorts? You Can
Should you? That’s the real question here. Let’s be clear about what we are and aren’t saying. What we aren’t saying: Don’t wear shorts. What we are saying: Very few dudes can pull off the whole shorts with a suit jacket look. If you’re confident that’s you, though, live it up and grab your best chino shorts. Basically, consider it an outfit that looks like you turned suit pants into well-tailored jorts. You’ll probably want to go custom on this one for maximum effect. This look works best for a casual or beach wedding, so keep your venue in mind.

6 .Jacket Optional
Again, technically a jacket is optional at all weddings. However, in the summer, it’s especially optional. Consider going with just a vest or ditching the jacket and vest entirely. You can always add suspenders if you want some extra visual appeal without the jacket. Otherwise, a well-tailored shirt always looks good on its own. Emphasis on well-tailored. Spend the money – it’s worth it.
 
7. Socks? Not Optional
Do not. We repeat. Do not leave your socks behind! Consider your socks your second best man. Men, technically, we suppose. You can absolutely achieve that sockless look with no-shows, so there are zero excuses to appear at your wedding sockless. If nothing else, your poor bride is going to be treated to feet that have been incubating in wing tips for the last eight hours. Is that really how you want to start married life?
 
Really, as long as you remember to play around with colors and patterns and keep your fabrics light, you’re good to go. Oh yeah, and don’t skip the socks.

1. ​Love Note - Add a sweet love note with the flowers. It can be a simple, but sweet card. The bride can read it after the ceremony. 

3. Berries and Lace - Nothing is better than adding a piece of lace from the bride's dress to berries and a single white flower. It's great for a suit or tuxedo. 

4. Citrus - Winter weddings are a good time to have citrus on your lapels. The lovely colors add to the boutonnière and make this a great option.

​There are many, many options for  boutonnières. Guys can keep it casual or have one that is more formal. Whatever is chosen is a great accessory for the wedding day.

When you’re planning a wedding, expenses can start to add up shockingly fast. Luckily, you can still achieve the wedding of your dreams if you learn how to skimp and save on different parts of your wedding. Some wedding elements, such as your wedding dress, will be less negotiable. However, other wedding elements, such as your wedding flowers, definitely have some flexibility when it comes to sticking to a budget. Here are a few tips that will help you to achieve the wedding flower aesthetic of your dreams without breaking the bank!
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Create a Budget

When you’re trying to figure out how to save money on your wedding flowers, you should start off by creating a budget for your wedding flowers. Past wedding budget trends have shown that you should usually reserve 10-15% of your wedding budget to spend on wedding flowers. Having a defined amount of money that you’re going to spend on wedding flowers can help you to know how much you can afford when you’re looking at different floral options. If it is helpful for your planning purposes, you can also split up your wedding budget into certain sections, such as bridal party flowers, floral decorations, and more.

When you’re talking with different wedding florists, make sure you get an accurate quote from them to help you decide which option you’d like to pursue. If you decide to work with a florist, make sure you’re firm about your budget, and emphasize that you don’t have any flexibility in going over budget. Communicating clearly about this will help your florist to understand the boundaries for your wedding flowers. 

Know the Cost of Fresh Flowers

Many brides use fresh flowers for their weddings, since they’ve been used traditionally and historically. Fresh flowers are beautiful, fragrant, and delicate. They’ll add a sense of elegance and uniqueness to your wedding day. However, if you want to use fresh flowers for your wedding, you should know how much they cost. Knowing the cost of fresh flowers can help you to more accurately budget and anticipate the expense of your wedding flowers. 

On average, a bridal bouquet made from fresh flowers costs around $250. Matching bridesmaid bouquets cost around $80-$100. Fresh flower boutonnieres and corsages usually cost in the $20-$50 range, depending on their size and the flowers you’re using. A fresh flower table centerpiece will generally range anywhere from $120-$600, with the head table centerpiece costing up to $1,500. Ceremony structures and floral installations, such as a floral archway, are usually a lot more expensive due to the number of flowers used to create them. These large arrangements often cost $1,500-$4,000. Even minimal cake flowers could cost upwards of $150. Using out-of-season, exotic flowers will increase the average prices of all these floral arrangements. Hiring a well-known, established florist could also increase these average prices. 

If you have your heart set on using fresh flowers, you can also save a lot of money by arranging your own flowers and avoiding a wedding florist. Wedding florists are often a lot more expensive to work with because they don’t just charge you for floral supplies. They also charge you for their hours of preparation and labor, as well as their years of experience. Simply hiring a florist that specifically works in the wedding industry can guarantee that you’ll get inflated pricing due to industry expectations. Skipping the florist and arranging your own flowers can help you to stick to your budget and save big. 

Choose Affordable Fresh Flowers

Believe it or not, not all flowers are created equally when it comes to pricing. Certain fresh flowers will be a lot more affordable than others depending on the season and where you live. If you’re trying to use more affordable flowers for your wedding, do some research to find out which flowers are going to be in season around your wedding. Using the flowers that are in season locally is a lot more affordable than choosing flowers that have to be shipped from a different location. If using a particular type of flower is really important to you, you might even want to choose a wedding date when they’re in season. For example, if you love peonies, having a spring wedding will likely provide you with more affordable peonies since they’ll be in season during this period. Choosing affordable flowers can help you to drive down the overall cost of your wedding flowers. 

Try Silk Flowers

If you love the look of wedding flowers but need a more affordable option than fresh flowers, try silk flowers instead. Silk flowers are made from silk, plastic, and other materials that produce beautiful, realistic-looking flowers. Silk flowers are generally more affordable than fresh flowers. Some silk flowers are higher-quality than others and might not be as affordably priced. Smaller silk flower bouquets generally cost between $20 and $100 whereas large, realistic-looking bouquets can cost from $100-$300. Silk boutonnieres and corsages generally cost between $5-$30 individually. Silk cake flowers generally start around $25 and can cost up to $100 depending on the cake design. Silk flower decorations including centerpieces, swags, and more often cost between $20 and $100. All of this pricing could depend on your location, but there are also lots of affordable silk flower businesses online.​

Use Wood Flowers Instead

Wood flowers are another eco-friendly and beautiful option for your wedding flowers. On average, Sola Wood Flowers are much more affordable than other wedding flowers. Wood flower bridal bouquets typically cost between $30 and $100, depending on the size and style. You can also bundle wood flower corsages and boutonnieres for around $60. Boutonnieres and corsages typically cost around $15-$18 and come in a pack of 3, making them even more affordable than you anticipated. Bridesmaid bouquets made of wood flowers typically cost around $30-$50. Wood flower centerpeices are usually between $20-$40. Overall, wood flowers will be a great option if you’re trying to save money on your wedding flowers.

Although wood flowers aren’t fresh, they still look highly realistic and are easy to care for. Wood flowers are also entirely customizable since they’re made from tapioca root and other natural materials. This makes them an ideal choice if you have a really unique aesthetic for your wedding flowers. Sola Wood Flowers can be custom dyed to match almost any color, without any increase to their price. You can also customize your wood flowers by adding different floral fillers or greenery. If you want a more bohemian, free-flowing look for your wood flower wedding bouquet, try adding artificial, preserved, or fresh greenery. This could help you make the whimsical cascade bouquet of your dreams. Wood flowers are also perfectly paired with dried and preserved flowers since they have a matching aesthetic and similar textures and colors. Dried flowers have become especially trendy over the past few years for the unique textures and stunning neutral colors that they provide. A bouquet made solely of dried flowers might not have all of the volume and impact you’re looking for. Adding wood flowers can help to create a unique, full wedding flower arrangement that you’ll love.

Conclusion

So, if you’re in the process of planning your wedding and are trying to figure out how to save money, remember the tips in this article! You can save money on your wedding flowers by creating a budget, knowing the cost of fresh flowers, and choosing affordable flowers. You can also save money by arranging your own flowers! Choosing alternative flower options such as silk flowers or wood flowers can help you to save money and buy more flowers with your allotted wedding flower budget. When you shop smart for your wedding flowers, you’ll be able to have gorgeous, Pinterest-worthy flowers without going over-budget.
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2023 is here! Brides are looking to see what the trends are before selecting a dress for their wedding. Here a few 2023 trends that brides will love!

Short Dresses - Minis or short dresses were previously used for the after party or receptions, but with the rise in micro weddings more brides are opting for a mini or short dress. You can style the dress with a cape, coat or detachable skirt. We love this trend.

Blue Dresses - Designers have had dresses with colors for years, but the blue wedding dress trend is here for 2023. There are entire dresses that are blue, but some have a blue trains, made with a blue lining or blue bodices. 

Embellished Ballgowns - Brides that want to feel like princesses are back! The full skirt can be paired with a strapless bodice or a bodice with straps. The full skirt can have ruffles, tiers or embellishments.​

Cape - This is a fashion trend that gives a different option than a traditional veil. Capes look beautiful with transparent fabrics that show off the beauty of the wedding dresses.

Off The Shoulder Dress - This is THE neckline for 2023. It shows off the gorgeous shoulders of brides and gives a sexy look.  

There are many options for upcoming brides. What trends are you liking? Please share your comments with us.

Good news! We have an awesome holiday giveaway on Instagram. You can win great items from several women owned business in the Pennsylvania area. Below is information on the giveaway items and details to enter. Good luck!

Here’s what you can win.
$100 gift certificate for dresses or alterations from @thedressmatters
$50 gift certificate to use on any products from @mediaflorist
$75 gift card to use for any products from @itssugarluxe
$50 gift certificate to use for any service from @thebride_squad
All you need to do is:
Follow all participating vendor pages
Like the giveaway post on each vendor’s page
Share giveaway to your stories
Bonus entry for tagging a friend in the comments

​Participating Vendors (Instagram)
@thedressmatters
@mediaflorist
@itssugarluxe
@thebride_squad

Giveaway runs from Dec 5th - 25th. Winner will be chosen and announced on December 26th.
The giveaway is open to US residents only. Instagram is not affiliated with the giveaway and has not sponsored, endorsed or administered it.

Many brides want to have something blue in their wedding day, but so many struggle with the actual item that can use for blue. Here are a few ways to incorporate it into your special day.

1. Undergarments
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You can wear blue undies!! They can be any shade of blue and any type of underware. You might select a thong or bikini underwear. You can also have the underwear personalized with blue. The item below is a great option from Catie Bowtique on Etsy. 

2. Nail Polish
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Another unique idea is to use blue nail polish on your wedding day. You can be the trendsetter! Select a shade of blue or blue design that reflects your individual style. 

3. Blue Shoes
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These fancy blue shoes are great for a bride!  You can show off your shoes during the reception and dance the night away. Select a shoe with a little sparkle to add glamour. 

Do you have any other unique wedding ideas for something blue? Please share them with us!