weddings posts

Getting married is one of the most important days of your life and you want it to be perfect. Too often, 'though, people equate perfection with dollar signs and it doesn't have to be that way. There are lots of websites out there that will show you how to have a classy wedding dollar store style.

Dollar stores have vases, candle holders, glassware, candles and so much more that no one could tell didn't come from a specialty shop. All it takes is a little know-how to make them wedding-worthy.

Liked this article? Don't miss another one. Follow us on Twitter or Facebook.

Doesn't every girl dream of becoming a beautiful bride? I guess so. But at what cost? When I was planning my wedding, I couldn't wrap my head around dropping thousands of dollars on a wedding dress that I would only wear once.

Not everyone can marry a real-life Prince Charming like Kate Middleton or has the bottomless wedding budget of Kim Kardashian. Ha, I don't think Kim even knows what a budget is judging by the amount of money she allegedly spent on her engagement ring. Fortunately, for the thrifty and socially conscientious set, there's The Brides' Project.

Jorgen Wouters

Weddings have become big business, the source of several "reality" shows and a target for scammers. With the average wedding costing upwards of $30,000, couples need to be careful to avoid getting taken to the cleaners on their way to the altar, the Better Business Bureau recently warned.

The BBB received nearly 1,000 complaints about wedding-related services in 2010. Topping the list were wedding planners, bridal shops, limousine rentals, DJs, photographers, florists and jewelers. The most common complaints often involved a company's unwillingness to honor its cancellation and refund policies once a deposit had been paid.

In a sign of the times, it appears that good old traditional hometown weddings are on the wane with a growing number of Canadians preferring to say "I do" at their dream destination.

Fifty per cent of Canadians said they would prefer a destination wedding opposed to a traditional wedding, according to a survey of 2,353 adults conducted by Ipsos Descarie for travel companies Nolitours and Transat Holidays. The destination wedding is even more popular among the 35-54 age group, with 60% of those surveyed preferring the dream getaway option compared to only 17% wanting a traditional wedding close to home.

But funny enough, a quick survey between me and my six closest friends shows similar results. Three of us recently had destination weddings, three got married relatively close to home, and one has yet to tie the knot.

A magazine subscription may not pack a lot of punch at the gift opening stage, but it is truly "the gift that keeps giving."

A subscription to one of these Martha Stewart titles is guaranteed to satisfy 90% of the women on your list (yes, I'm totally pulling that number out of the air, but I stand by it).

Until December 3, you can get two gift subscriptions for the price of one for the following titles:

Martha Stewart Living ($38 Canadian plus taxes)

Everyday Food ($24 Canadian plus taxes)

Whole Living ($19.95 Canadian plus taxes)

Martha Stewart Weddings ($18 Canadian plus taxes)

I can personally vouch for Everyday Food, I've subscribed for years and cook from it several times a week!