Whether you've been to a wedding in Atlanta, thrown several, or planning your first one, you know that Atlanta Georgia weddings have to be special. Georgians pride themselves on their rich traditions and southern heritage. Incorporating these things into a fantastic wedding is all part of what makes Atlanta weddings so fun to attend.

If you're planning a wedding in Atlanta, you probably already know what guests expect and what will have them bragging about your stylish tastes for ages. However, many brides often overlook or wait til last to find the most simple but essential ingredients to any great wedding. What's that, you ask? Wedding rentals.

What would a wedding be without tables and chairs? It'd be a bunch of frustrated people standing around looking bored. What would a wedding be without glasses filled with delicious beverages or tables lined with food? It would be a bunch of frustrated people standing around looking bored and hungry. Do not let this happen to you!

The melodrama ceases here but the reality is that wedding rentals such as tables and chairs, silverware, dinnerware and glassware are important parts of what makes the wedding reception so fun. A lot of other things are added to the mix but the comfort and style of your wedding reception depends on the rentals that you choose. Wedding rentals can range from places to sit (tables and chairs) to where the reception is being held (tent rentals). One thing is for sure, the comfort of the night depends on your choice of wedding rentals.

Don't wait until the last minute to find the supplies that you need. The finest wedding Atlanta GA has ever seen is yours and will be forever etched in their memories thanks to the rarely renowned but always appreciated wedding rentals.

Ask The Celebration Advisor: I'm looking for bulb-strand lights, with a candelabra base (similar to ones found and fairs and festivals, also on the Movie HOPE FLOATS) Anyone know where these can be rented? ~ Elly in Wichita KS

The Celebration Advisor: As luck would have it (or knowing a lot of cool lighting vendors), I do happen to know of a great place to find bulb strand lights with candelabra bases! Oogalights.com has pretty much all of the commercial and festival lights you could want. They give you several options of colors for the strand lights with candelabra bases as well. Choose from red, green and black. PartyLights.com also has strand lights with candelabra bases (view C7 Strings & Bulbs). While I'm not sure that either will rent, strand lights are a versatile purchase that can be used for other affairs or resold after the wedding.

The "Hope Floats" look is really popular for intimate outdoor weddings. In fact, we did the same thing for my friend's wedding a few years ago. Oogalights.com gives you a lot of options so that the wedding is celebrated with a bright and cheery atmosphere. I hope you find what you're looking for! Don't forget to stop back by Wedding And Party Network with photos to let us know how it went. Thanks Elly!

Did you know that the average wedding costs over $23,000? While there is no shame in spending more or less than this, the averaged wedding costs can still add up quickly. Most brides overshoot their wedding budget goals by as much as 15%! To avoid breaking the bank with your wedding planning, here are some budget-friendly tips for brides-to-be!

Wedding Budget Tip 1:  Avoid The Busy Season

The majority of weddings occur between May and October. In fact, October is the new June. Late fall weddings and winter weddings are beautiful and allow brides to reduce costs by catching vendors and wedding supplies when they're not in great demand!

Also, consider marrying on a Friday or throughout the week. Marrying on a weekday may be less traditional, but it's a fun and unique way to make your ceremony special (and save money!). Weekend weddings are great but reception halls charge the most for Saturday evening weddings. By marrying on a Friday, you'll be able to save on the reception costs, enjoy great options for the ceremony location, and spend a three day weekend with your groom!

Wedding Budget Tip 2:  Pass Up The Dessert Tray

Wedding cakes are a huge reception expense. Since this is the most important piece at the reception, no bride wants to cut it out completely. Instead, opt for a smaller wedding cake. Also consider a cupcake wedding cake. This tasty trend allows guests to enjoy a small portion of the same great flavor. The biggest treat for you? Cupcake cakes usually run about $60 compared to hundreds for a traditional wedding cake.

If a smaller version of your dream cake won't feed everyone, consider having a sheet cake of the same flavor along with your wedding cake. An evening of dancing, drinks and good food doesn't leave much room for dessert. Consider passing up extra dessert options which quickly add up (on the hips as well)!

Wedding Budget Tip 3:  Go Green With The Wedding Flowers

Opt for more greenery in the reception arrangements. Most guests won't know which flowers are in or out of season so trim the cost of your wedding flowers by using more greenery. The wedding ceremony flowers are a beautiful addition to the ceremony but remember that this is where guests spend the least amount of time. Most spend more time at the reception so consider putting the budget emphasis on your wedding reception flowers instead.

Wedding Budget Tip 4: Go Green With The Wedding Invitations

In the age of technology and conservation, eco-friendly wedding invitations are a big perk. If you want to send standard wedding invitations, consider replacing the RSVP cards with a note on the invitation that asks guests to RSVP at your wedding website. Wedding websites will save a ton on less important wedding stationery. (Oh, and invitation liners are unnecessary. You're breaking no etiquette by opting out on these.)

Wedding Budget Tip 5:  Double Up With Wedding Favors

Wedding favors are a must-have for most brides according to traditional wedding etiquette. Wedding favors can be practical and functional though! Consider favors that double as place cards or serve a purpose after the wedding. Personalized bottles of bubbles serves as wedding favors and can be used instead of tossing rice or bird seed after the ceremony.

Wedding Budget Tip 6:  Opt For A Cocktail Reception

This is a good way to glam up your reception without spending lots of money on food and decorations. Waiters carrying trays of hor d'oeuvres is a glamorous look and a frugal choice for brides. Many wedding caterers have their own wait staff, so consider hiring a local caterer with wait staff for a glamorous but easy-on-the-wallet reception.

Wedding Budget Tip 7:  Buy The Music, Not The Band

A band at the wedding is always fun, but consider a single musician or a dj instead. Going this route with wedding reception entertainment will save costs simply because you're paying for one person instead of multiple people.

Wedding Budget Tip 8:  Share The Menus

Instead of giving each guest a menu at the reception, opt for one or two per table. These can look elegant when placed between beautiful table settings or when stood on either side of the table's centerpice. This saves paper and printing costs plus adds to the decor of the table.

Ask The Celebration Advisor: Hi im looking 4 a justice of the peace or a clergy member to join my coomon-law and I in marriage, I recently chatted with a woman who did this at her own home for $150, and i have misplaced her information, I really would like the ceremony small us, and 2 people 2 stand up for us, perferably somewhere in Sherwood Park, AB, Please if u can send me some info that would be great, I really need 2 book something asap, NOTHING FANCY AT ALL Thankyou again, Cindy Buzzep

The Celebration Advisor: Thanks for your question, Cindy! If you're not looking for a religious wedding officiant, the Alberta government page has a list of marriage commissioners who are licensed in Alberta to perform weddings.  Since you're in Sherwood Park AB, I recommend taking a look at the official website that lists licensed marriage commissioners in Alberta with a whole section for Edmonton wedding officiants. Just click on the link and scroll down to the Edmonton listing. There's contact information listed for each wedding officiant on the page. Don't forget to let them know that you found them through Wedding And Party Network!

If you're looking for a religious wedding officiant in Edmonton AB (Sherwood Park district) but don't see one that you're interested in, simply write back and I'll be happy to find one for you! Thanks again for your question, Cindy!

Ask The Celebration Advisor: I need to know who can make me a Halloween wedding cake, as well as favors and Ideas, and decoratons for my wedding. Most particularly the cake. for 200ppl? and a price in Calgary. Thank you. ~ Carmen Turning Robe, Calgary Alberta Canada

Celebration Advisor: Of course you can find all of that and other great wedding supplies in Calgary AB!

In fact, I know of a few places where you can find theme cakes, wedding cakes and (imagine this) theme wedding cakes in Calgary. For starters, try Cake Creations. They're incredible! Their wedding cakes are elegant regardless of the theme. All you have to do is ask! Theme cakes as well as wedding cakes come in all shapes and sizes so be specific about what you want. Just let your wedding cake bakery know the size, general theme, and amount of people eating the cake and you're good to go!

As far as wedding favors and ideas go, that's greatly dependent upon the type of ceremony that you are having. It sounds like you're having a really fun Halloween wedding–congrats! That sounds like so much fun! I would start by speaking with the professionals at Claudia's Mementos. Though not located in Calgary, wedding favors from here are bound to be awesome. They always do an incredible job of hooking you up with the wedding favors that YOU want.

If you want a cool idea to start with for your wedding favors, try this one that my friend is using at her Halloween wedding this year. Our wedding favors are placeholders which are going to be little skulls, monsters, and ghosts with our names written on their heads. It took her a long time to choose those over chocolate cupcakes with vanilla icing decorated like webbing and our names written in red icing over that. Somehow I knew she'd go with the haunted cemetery wedding favors instead! *grin* I'm sure these will taste great with the wedding cake. Have guests bring a sweet tooth!

Wedding decorations aren't quite as tricky. The only thing you really need to figure out is whether you want this to be more like a Halloween wedding or a Halloween party. If you're wanting the more upscale, ask a local Calgary wedding planner to help you come up with something that will celebrate the holiday and the occasion at the same time. If you want more of a party atmosphere, go all out with black tablecloths, creepy decorative lighting, blood-colored punch and other party foods, jack-o-lanterns and other spooky decorations. It just takes a little imagination! If you want some ideas, check out these great Halloween party pictures.

Together, your choices of wedding cakes, wedding favors, and wedding decorations is immense when you use the local  wedding suppliers that you have right there in Calgary!

Thanks for your question Carmen. I look forward to seeing the pictures of your wedding!

There should be little confusion or hassle when hiring a caterer. With all of the other things to do when planning a wedding or party, hiring a caterer should be a simple event performed near the start of the planning process. Taste testings are very definitely encouraged. After all, this is the only trial run that you will get before enjoying the meal at your event. To keep everything running smoothly, remember these eight simple tidbits when taste testing options from your local caterer.

Eight Simple Tips For Your Taste Testing Events

1 – Often it is a representative of the chef that presents the food. If this is the case at your taste testing event, ask if it is possible to pay your compliments to the chef. This positive feedback will be well received by the chef and likely work in your favor later.

2 – Bring others along who will be helpful in selecting the proper foods. Your wedding consultant or party planner can offer helpful tips during this process. Your mother, maid of honor, groom and others very close to you are also able to offer constructive advice during the sampling.

3 – There will be many options when sampling foods from a caterer so remember to pace yourself to enjoy each of them. A small bite or two is all that is necessary to enjoy the tastes of the dish.

4 – Discuss particular preferences with your wedding caterer or party caterer. If you have a favorite food or type of food, feel free to discuss foods with these particular ingredients that will be included in the meals. This information will be very helpful for the caterer to note later in the planning stages.

5 – Discuss alternative ingredient options with your caterer. If you like something but want it to be "vegetarian friendly," simply ask your caterer if this is possible.

6 – Look for signs of quality foods and other ingredients. Catering is not limited to the expensive or the inexpensive tastes. You want the best for your guests regardless of the budget so look for signs of freshness and quality when talking with your wedding caterer or party caterer.

7 — Ask your caterer to present the food to you the way it is to be presented at the wedding reception or party. If it is to be served buffet style over warmers, ask to try the food in this manner. If it is a passed tray reception, ask your caterer if it is possible to sample the food this way. This will help gauge how the food will taste at the reception as well.

8 – Though it does not necessarily pertain to the quality of the food, it is important to take note of the attentiveness of the wait staff. Pay attention to how the front end (servers) and kitchen (chef) communicate with one another. Do things move fluidly or in a disorganized manner? This tip is particularly important if you plan to hire the caterer's wait staff. 

Receptions vary but there is always a need for catering services. Whether a wedding reception, a gala reception or another party, there are three types of catering services from which to choose. Knowing which is your preference will help tremendously when discussing options with your caterer. When selecting on-site catering services for your event, consider these options.

Enjoying A Sit Down or Seated Meal Reception

Sit-down or seated meal dinners are perfect for very elegant wedding receptions, banquets, galas and other sophisticated affairs. This type of meal allows guests to mingle with those at their table. This puts a bit more pressure on preparing the right seating arrangement. However, seated meal receptions are arguably the most elegant type of dining and quite worth the extra attention to detail. When planning a formal dinner, ask your caterer about a seated meal reception.

Buffet Catering Is Another Good Option To Discuss With Caterers

Buffet catering is a type of food catering with which everyone is familiar. Many brides and other party planners prefer this type of catering due to its festive qualities. Guests are able to mingle while they fill their plates with party food or wedding food. There is little doubt that people will receive something that they dislike because they serve themselves. This reduces food waste. Alternatively, plan on the need for a larger amount of food because people tend to eat more when given many options.

"Garcon!" Preparing A Passed-Tray Reception

Passed-tray receptions are the perfect time to enjoy hor d'oeuvres of all kinds. During a passed-tray reception, wait staff weave between party guests while holding hor d'oeuvres and drinks on small trays (hence the name). They seem to flow seamlessly between guests who only notably acknowledge their presence when requesting party food or a beverage.

This is a very easy type of reception to coordinate with your caterer. It is also one that is preferred by many brides for a very simple reception, one with limited seating space, a reception that will be hosted in two places and other options. When guests are encouraged to mingle, passed-tray receptions are the finest option for the wedding or party catering.

Ok. So it's the big day and your wedding photographer is ready to start shooting. As a savvy bride you've discussed which wedding photos you'd like to have as part of your photo album. However, getting everyone in position can sometimes be an arduous task. Many photographers have assistants that are able to work with the photographer in readying the shots. However, many wedding photographers may either not have an assistant or opt out of using one according to the size of the wedding and other factors.

To prevent this from slowing down or dampering the mood on your day, select a member of the family or wedding party to be the photo coordinator. The photo coordinator that you choose will be in charge of readying people for the next photos. Your wedding photographer should have a list of the photos to be taken which will help your coordinator know who to gather for the next shots.

When choosing a wedding photo coordinator, consider someone who can command a room in a gentle way. "Firm enough to get the ball rolling but without a cracking whip" is a good description for the type of person that fits this role well. Often parents, aunts, uncles, or sprightly grandparents play this role well as younger members of the wedding party are inclined to follow the instructions of respected elders.

No matter who is chosen, having someone to follow the lead of the wedding photographer but who will also be able to gather the wedding party efficiently is a very helpful addition. This prevents things from slowing down which means that you have time for more shots. You also have more set-up time which means time for better wedding pictures. When your wedding photo album opens in your lap for the first time, you'll be amazed at the memories that will roll out and how thankful you are for your photographer and photo shoot coordinator.

We all dream of the wedding reception where the food is just right, there is enough for everyone, and the flavors kick taste bud butt. If you've been to this kind of wedding, chances are great that all of these things were the result of a fantastic wedding caterer. Want to know where to get your hands on a good caterer for your wedding? Here are some tips that will help you choose a wedding caterer that will keep guests' tummies happy and satiated.

Sample! Sample!! Sample!!!

It's perfectly acceptable to ask to sample food before hiring a wedding caterer. Now it's impossible to please everyone, but there is some food that even the most finicky eater can't resist. Your caterer will have several options and menus from which to choose. Whether buffet or individual meals, it's your wedding so pick the food that you want! The best way to figure out what you like the best is to sample the offerings at many catering companies.

Be Prepared When Meeting With Your Wedding Caterer

Catering a wedding is tricky stuff. Your wedding caterer is going to need a lot of information, but thankfully it's pretty easy to figure out. Ask yourself a few simple questions before the meeting and take your answers with you. Caterers are sure to ask the same ones.

• Buffet style or individual servings?
• How many people will be eating?
• Do you require special options such as a vegetarian/vegan option?

Discuss Alternative Ideas For Your Wedding Reception Catering

Have the theme of your wedding in mind. The catering company that you hire should be able to adjust the food options to reflect the style and theme of your wedding. For instance, are you opting for a cupcake cake? This shows whimsy and may inspire individual sandwiches with colored bread. It can also rule out other options such as petit fours. More traditional weddings may call for very traditional meals. It's all up to you and your groom, but be prepared to discuss alternative ideas for your wedding catering.

We all know what we like when it comes to photography. Certain things just catch our eye. The same is true of wedding photography. It's so easy to get lost in the romance and magic of the wedding when flipping through the photo album. It's enough that we instantly "ooo," "awww," and share the pictures with our closest friends. It's this exciting time to relive fine memories that makes having the ideal wedding photographs so important. To get the most from your wedding photography package, here are the top 3 most important questions to ask your wedding photographer.

What packages are available? — Obviously there will be many wedding packages to choose from. Package items can range from a small amount of snapshots and prints to a large amount of photos and prints with digital enhancement and unique photography techniques. For this reason, it is important to discuss with your wedding photographer which package best fits your ceremony.

*Remember:  The size, location, and budget are the biggest factors in the selection to bring this information to your consultation.*

What digital techniques and enhancements are available? — See a great black and white shot of a bride holding her full-color bouquet? These and other unique techniques enhance photos for more memorable, valuable shots. Discuss wedding photography ideas that you like such as black and white wedding photos, sepia tone and other colored photos, unique bridal portraits, collages and more.

Which portions of the wedding are covered in this package? — While most wedding photographers cover pre-ceremony to post-reception, many prefer to include certain time frames into specific pacakages. For instance, the wedding ceremony and reception may be included in one package while another package includes photos of the wedding part in a different location.

*Remember:  Most wedding photo packages are based on the number of photographs taken as well as the number of locations. A greater number of set-ups and material costs ups the price of the package, so don't be scared to talk with your photographer about which packages are right for your wedding.*

*Remember:  If also using a videographer, try to arrange at least one pre-wedding consultation with both professionals together. This will help solidify in your mind which packages are truly best for your wedding. A videographer may reduce the amount of pictures that you want in your package. Alternatively, a wedding photographer may be able to capture many moments of the entire wedding in a particular package while the videographer for the wedding may only include the ceremony or reception in the package.