Although summer may still be a few months away, we can’t help but dream about warmer weather. And if there’s one thing that’s important when planning a wedding, it’s buying your wedding dress early so that you have plenty of time to get it in and do any alterations needed. We know that not everyone enjoys the idea of shopping in person, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get to wear your dream dress for your seaside affair! That’s why we’re rounding up some of our current favorite beach wedding dresses you can buy right now–think elegant, airy, and light.
Now that you’ve picked out your dream beach wedding dress, it’s time to make sure that you have everything else you need for your big day. Rather than stress out, we’ve put together an ultimate guide for planning a beach wedding that breaks down everything from etiquette to decor to dining options.
Jordanna and David’s Fasque Castle wedding perfectly reflected their love for country life. The couple tied the knot in a historic 18th-century estate with a grand mansion surrounded by the stunning countryside, creating a breathtaking backdrop for their special day. And with the help of Junebug member Wild Hearts Elopement, they pulled off a celebration that surpassed their expectations.
The couple’s love of the countryside was showcased during their ceremony at the property’s ornate chapel. The quaint church featured beautiful stonework, stained glass windows, and rustic charm. The bride was radiant in a sleek, structured wedding dress as she walked down the aisle, while the groom looked sharp in his traditional kilt.
The reception that followed was equally special. The iconic cantilever staircase greeted guests as they entered the grand hall. Meanwhile, a mix of lamps, candles in hanging glass orbs, and floral centerpieces created a romantic and elegant atmosphere.
The couple’s attention to detail and personal touches, combined with the timeless elements of a classic wedding, made for a truly unforgettable day filled with love, laughter, and joy. Keep scrolling to see all the gorgeous details captured by We Are The James’s. These photos will surely take your breath away!
The Inspiration Behind Their Fasque Castle Wedding
It was important that the day reflected our personalities and that we didn’t lose our vision, which can be easy to do when accommodating so many people on the day. We wanted the day to feel intimate and inclusive for all our family and friends. When planning the wedding, we knew we wanted the vibe to be somewhat traditional but with personal touches and a simplistic, modern feel. We also incorporated rustic finishes that reflected our day-to-day lives at home. Like the hand-poured, natural honey pots we gave our guests as favors. These fit with the rustic elements placed at the tables, such as name-engraved wood plaques.
Incorporating Personal Readings And Music Throughout Their Ceremony
We personalized the ceremony by having the minister include anecdotes about our relationship. Dave’s sister–my junior bridesmaid–also read a poem that she had written about us. And, of course, the gospel choir sang as guests entered the chapel, as I walked down the aisle, during the register signing, and as we walked out. We love singing along to classic Motown songs, so this was a fun, personal touch.
Keeping Their Guests Entertained Through Music, Food, And Drinks
The gospel choir was the most memorable part of the day, aside from seeing Dave standing at the end of the aisle. They performed during the ceremony and cocktail hour. All our guests enjoyed the music and performances and kept their energies high during register signing and photos. We had an ice cream bike with a selection of dairy and non-dairy ice creams for guests and a champagne tower, gin bar, and beer barrow.
Choosing The Venue Because Of Its Charm And Beautiful Scenery
Fasque Castle, we knew immediately that this was the venue where we wanted to be married. It had the perfect blend of timeless tradition with a modern feel. The venue had a quaint church on the grounds separate from the castle, with gorgeous stained glass windows that we felt would be perfect for the ceremony. We also organized clay pigeon shooting with the groundskeepers for the groomsmen on the morning of the wedding, which was a lovely touch for photos. As a couple, we enjoy country life, and the venue reflected this best.
Creating Their Wedding Budget By Starting With The Venue
Make sure you begin the process of planning your wedding early. A lot of venues, vendors, and planners book up in advance. We planned our wedding two years in advance. We secured our dream team of suppliers, including a photographer, videographer, planner, and of course, our dream venue.
Timeless Beauty Looks And Fashion That Reflected The Bride’s Style Perfectly
Generally, my style is very minimalistic, classic, and tailored. So I needed to feel still and look like myself on the day. My dress was custom-made and reflected my style perfectly. We kept my makeup soft and natural with a skin focus for that bridal glow. Regarding hair, I knew I wanted romantic waves for the ceremony and then a sleek finish for the reception. Both of these complimented the dress beautifully.
Congratulations to Jordanna and David on their elegant and romantic Fasque Castle wedding. Many thanks to We Are The James’s for capturing all the special moments their loved ones will forever cherish. And, of course, a special shout out to Junebug member Wild Hearts Elopements for planning their unforgettable celebration. To see more beautiful weddings they’ve planned, check out their profile in our directory of the world’s best wedding planners.
Blending timeless wedding traditions with personal touches can help make your wedding day truly reflective of your love for each other. By carefully selecting elements that hold special significance, you’re sure to create a celebration you and your guests will never forget. Still trying to figure out where to start? We’ve got you covered! Read our guide for top tips and ideas for crafting a celebration that’s meaningful and truly your own.
Image by Kim Captein. Keep reading to see how to save money wedding planning
You’ve kickstarted your wedding planning journey by creating your ideal budget. You’ve begun comparing vendors, venues, and catering options…and now you’re officially overwhelmed. These hefty price tags might take you by surprise, especially if this is your first rodeo. But we’re here to remind you: you can pull off your dream celebration without breaking the bank.
Our goal is to help couples–no matter their vision or desired budget–plan the wedding of their dreams. So if you’re looking to save money, here are some simple ways you can cut costs and still get everything you’ve dreamed of.
How To Save Money On A Wedding
1. Use a Free Wedding Budget Tool
Starting your planning process by using a free wedding budget tool will make it easy to see where your money is being spent. It’ll keep you organized and allow you to keep track of your wedding finances all in one place.
We owe a big “thank you” to TikTok for this handy wedding planning tip. Before spending any money on your wedding day, consider getting a credit card specifically for wedding purchases. This allows you to keep track of your spending and gives you the chance to score rewards and cash-back deals. These can be used to pay off your celebration or to book an epic honeymoon.
3. Hire Local Wedding Vendors
If you hire vendors outside your surrounding area, you’ll likely be responsible for covering their travel costs. This will be added on top of their quoted prices. That’s why we recommend searching for trusted local vendors first. This will save on any additional fees you might not have accounted for in your budget. Want to start the search but not sure how? Check out our directory of wedding vendors from around the world!
4. Start Shopping Early to Score Deals
Don’t wait until the last minute to start your shopping, especially when it comes to wedding day attire. Not only will a head start eliminate any stress, it also gives you the opportunity to shop around. You’ll have time to look for the best price and hopefully score some money-saving deals.
5. Rent Your Wedding Day Attire
Rather than purchasing your wedding day attire, do some research on rental companies. There are an abundance of online and brick-and-mortar shops that help couples save money. They offer short-term rentals for wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, suits, and even accessories.
6. Host a Weekday Wedding
Weekend weddings are typically the most popular, and venue prices will reflect that. That’s why it probably comes as no surprise that hosting a weekday wedding will save you a significant amount of money.
7. Create a Wedding Website
Don’t have room in your budget for paper invitations? No problem. Don’t want to have to worry about keeping track of mailed RSVP cards? We understand. Wedding websites are your money and time-saving solution. They are a handy resource that stores all your event information in one place—your wedding timeline, registry, and even an RSVP option.
Creating a wedding guest list is a difficult task—and unfortunately it’s one of the most important. But, for those looking to save money, we recommend taking one more look. Is there anyone you feel obligated to invite? If the answer is “yes,” trim your guest list a tad bit more.
9. Limit Your Plus Ones
If you’re unable to trim your guest list, consider limiting your plus one invitations. Extend the option to those married, in long-term relationships, and to those in your wedding party. There’s no need to give one to every guest.
10. Host Your Ceremony and Reception at One Place
When finding your dream venue, there’s a lot to consider. One important detail to think about is the venue size.Is it large enough to host your ceremony and reception? This is an important question to ask before signing any contracts. Hosting both of these events in the same location will save big bucks on transportation.
11. Pick a Venue With Stunning Existing Features
When venue shopping, it’s important to find a space that has existing features you can incorporate into your overall wedding design. With a stunning foundation, you’ll be able to cut down on the amount of decor you’ll need to purchase.
12. Tie The Knot in your Backyard
Backyard weddings have become increasingly popular, and it’s a trend we don’t see going away anytime soon. It adds a sentimental touch to your celebration and saves money that can be allocated to other wedding day elements.
Junebug Tip: Use BloomsyBox, a flower subscription company, for your wedding florals. You choose what flowers you want and get them hand-delivered to your door. They even offer dozens of pre-made bouquets. Junebug readers get 10% off with the code JUNEBUG
14. Go Thrifting For Decor
Time is money during your wedding planning season. But if you have extra time to spend hunting down unique glassware, rugs, and even furniture, you’ll save big dollars on your decor.
15. Your Jewelry Can Be Your Something Borrowed
If you’re searching for your something borrowed, you just found it. Jewelry often costs a pretty penny. That’s why you should consider wearing a family heirloom or ask special loved ones to borrow their cherished pieces.
16. Stick to Custom Cocktails
Creating custom cocktails is just one way to add personality to your reception. Rather than having a fully stocked bar, limit your alcohol options. During your cocktail hour, you can serve up your signature cocktails. And when the reception begins, you can add more options like wine and beer.
Stocking your reception bar can be a bit pricey. This is especially the case if you’re having a third party take on this responsibility. If you have time and want to save a bit of money, consider purchasing your own alcohol before the big day. Wholesalers such as Costco and Sam’s Club are lifesavers for this.
18. Skip Hors D’oeuvres During the Cocktail Hour
After the ceremony, it’s common for guests to be served drinks and hors d’oeuvres at the cocktail hour while the couple snaps photos with their photographer. During this time, focus on the drinks and skip the snacks. Being so close to dinner time, they aren’t necessary for those trying to cut costs.
19. Ditch the Formal Meal for a Buffet
Newsflash–you don’t have to drain your bank account to serve up a memorable and delicious meal at your wedding. You can actually save money on your catering by choosing a less-formal, buffet-style menu.
20. Host a Brunch Wedding
There’s a reason why everyone loves brunch. And we think bottomless mimosas and breakfast foods are underrated in the wedding world. Not only will a daytime rental save you money on your venue, but hosting a brunch celebration will also give your wedding a unique spin—much like this couple did with their cereal bar.
When you think of dessert at a wedding, odds are your mind immediately pictures a large tiered cake. And we understand this may be the dream for many couples out there. But, if you’re trying to save money and plan a truly unique celebration, you should consider a dessert alternative. We’re talking s’mores, donuts, an ice cream bar—the options are endless.
Wanting a creative dessert option without having to skip that oh-so-sweet cake-cutting moment? Scale down your original cake design or use a styrofoam replica. You can use that for your photos, then serve up your alternative desserts to the guests.
22. DIY Photo Booth
Any DIY project is sure to save you money while planning your wedding. You can DIY anything from bouquets to signage. But one major decor and entertainment element we recommend trying to DIY is your photo booth. In need of some ideas? Check out our favorite photo booth ideas to spark some inspiration.
23. Recruit Friends and Family
I you find yourself wondering “how to save money on a wedding,” you might just have the answer on the guest list. Have a florist in the family? Maybe a baker? If you have some talented loved ones, ask them to get involved. Not only will it save you money, but it’ll make them feel important and will give you some quality time together.
24. Skip Wedding Favors
Wedding favors are a great way to show your appreciation for your guests, but they’re not required. For couples looking to save on their wedding day budget, these might be the first to go. After your incredible celebration full of food, alcohol, and a whole lot of dancing, your guests aren’t going to be upset if there aren’t any favors. In fact, a lot of times they end up getting left behind.
25. Consider an Elopement
If the wedding planning process becomes too stressful or expensive, eloping is always an option. You can go down to the local courthouse or plan a low-key destination wedding for just the two of you. These intimate weddings make you the priority while helping you cut costs.
Talking about money isn’t always the most fun conversation to have, especially when wedding planning. It’s easy to get lost in the fun details like creating mood boards, dress shopping, and assembling your floral arrangements. That’s where we come in.
Kickstart your planning process by reading our how-to guide for creating a wedding budget fit for you and your partner. Then download and use our free wedding budget tool throughout your journey to stay on track.
.jpg "Photographers")
