Elvis, Still the King of Rock N Roll! Visit Graceland, Vacation Planning

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Graceland is a nice and exciting place to visit. I have listed some great vacation information, hope you enjoy!

Good Stuff! Graceland Live Webcam

From the 25th Anniversary Graceland Magazine

Visit Graceland, Stay at the Heartbreak Hotel, Enjoy a Graceland Stable Tour

Tickets to visit Graceland are $31-70 and children under 6 are free. Graceland also offers discounts for many visitors including seniors, students, firemen, military, AAA members and more. Click the link above for more information.

Fun wedding tip... Get married in Vegas, honeymoon in Graceland! :) Just an idea! I'm an Elvis fan what can I say...? Better yet, Get married in Graceland and Honeymoon there too!

The Heartbreak Hotel has Elvis themed rooms that rock! Rates start at $115 a night and for the themed rooms, well, this might heartbreak the bank, they start at $555 a night. But, you can save a little on your Graceland vacation with these coupons and vacation packages.


Are you the adventurous type? RV to Graceland, this is a nice RV camping ground, it even has a pool!

Elvis Presley born January 8, 1935 passed away August 16, 1977. I wish I could have seen him in concert! (Have you? Tell me about it!) Anyway, I just found out about this deal for his 2012 Birthday Celebration in Graceland (Tickets go on sale in the fall of 2011). This is a big goodie! You too can celebrate Elvis birthday in Graceland! Click here for more information and discounts.

Elvis fan games, e-cards and more, go ahead take a break, it's good for you.

If you have taken an "Elvis Vacation" of any kind in Graceland, (Memphis, TN) or somewhere else? Please comment, I'd love to hear about it! 

HURRY! TONIGHT! VEGAS DEAL SWA Flight and Golden Nugget Hotel $39 Deal use this link! June 24

Great deal for late Summer last minute vacation!
http://www.goldennugget.com/specials/eblasts/sw_39_2_2010.html

Until midnight tonight!!! Thursday June 24, 2010 You must use the link from the page shown above or below as directed, click the link for the flight and click the link for the Golden Nugget Hotel.

SWA Flights $39+ one way/each way (midweek), depending on distance etc. purchase now and fly in September 8 - November 17, (flight costs more on weekends).
http://www.southwest.com/

Golden Nugget Las Vegas Hotel deal $39 and up hotel nights, only put deposit down now to reserve.
https://secure.goldennugget.com/smsworld/wc.dll?smsworld~availbox~&RMK=D&RSR=EB6220&RCR=EB6220

They also have a deal on their site that has low rates now also, but if you book your reservation in Sept 8- Nov 17 you will also get SWA deal!
www.goldennugget.com 

MICHAELS COUPONS May 10-22 40% off plus 5/13-5/15 Art Craft party supplies 20% off anything

MICHAELS Art and Craft, Framing Store:
20% off anything in the store and 60% off Framing: May 13, 2010 to May 15, 2010. (20% discount includes sale items.)
Visit link to print your coupons: http://mic.michaels.com/20100507FriendsFamilyUS.aspx?reg_source=MFAF0510&utm_source=prom&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MFAF051610&id=478&referenceno=07136078495

Sharing my other coupon 40% off May 10-22, 2010 (1 coupon per visit): http://www.theknackkids.com/Coupons/20100505TKNewsletter.aspx?token=634092808155781250&reg_source=MWK0410&utm_source=news&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=0510Kid&id=480&referenceno=07052897878

A Beautiful Wedding on a Budget in Orange County, CA or anywhere!? Yes!

"We're engaged!" You announce to your dear loved ones. So, now what? Let me help you with a few helpful pointers. Remember part of the fun is planning, don't let money matters discourage you. Let's figure it out as simply as possible.

Orange County weddings, or any wedding for that matter, can cost thousands upon thousands! How about a wedding and reception for 50+ people for $4000 or less!? Do couples on a budget deserve a nice wedding? YES. It is possible with extra effort, especially for a do-it-yourself couple. I will give you some shopping tips and even a few hidden gems... people I found in or around Orange County, CA.


Wedding/Reception Shopping List be sure to make a list and check it twice, cross off what you can live without (this varies from couple to couple):

• Quick wedding? Skip the save the dates and send the invites only
• Do you need to have that many bridesmaids?=$ dresses/bouquets/gifts
• Do you want to serve a meal?= Cost. Simplify: Hors d'oeuvres, drinks and of course, cake
• DJ or Sound System?
• Decorate by Season- let nature be your example, beauty of a location can be enough: Add some fresh rose petals on the sand- voila. Park? Find a focal point between two trees or a scenic view. Buy yourself from the grocery or discount floral shops: Easter Lilies in Spring, Daisy's in Summer, Sunflowers and dry floral arrangements in Fall, Roses and Poinsettias in Winter (about $4 or so at places like Walmart)... you get the idea
• Buy Vintage or used locally- www.craigslist.com, www.pennysaverusa.com
• Browse eBay- make sure if you buy internationally that you give yourself a lot of time- i.e. Custom Wedding gowns from $100 take time to make and ship through customs, allow time for any alterations you may need to make also.
• Browse Venues, and check the hidden costs (insurance fees for hired vendors? Fees if alcohol is served? (Cheaper to serve non-alcoholic bubbly like Apple cider or Sparkling Grape.) Park or beach- contact the city for further information; small gatherings-depending on the use may be free- If you can this is ideal, especially if you can hold a quiet reception gathering at a home or yard (be sure though to follow noise laws, contact your city. :)
• Do-it-yourself or bridesmaids can help.. make bouquets and boutonnieres- Save a lot!
• What can you borrow
• Invite closest friends and family only
• Give yourself enough time when setting the date to save money easily for your wedding
  
• Who do you know that can help set up, tare down, and serve if needed? Friends or people you know you can pay a minimal amount to help?
• Wedding Cake- for display and bride and groom: Do it yourself. Reception guests: Costco or grocery made, have cut for reception.
• Food delivered or made to go
• Wedding Ceremony can be simple with few relatives/friends and have a reception for closest friends and family- think Las Vegas, small church ceremony, or simple courthouse marriage union (you can still dress beautifully where ever you say I do!).
• GOOD TIP!! Put a local ad out for what you need/willing to pay $____

After making your double checked list for what is best for you both, put a dollar amount next to each item on the list and total it. Try to stay within your means when browsing and purchasing and don't shop so fast that you later have to take it back because you found something better! Which reminds me SAVE RECEIPTS!

Example:

Josephine and Joseph's Wedding and Reception Budget:

Approximate number of people attending: 50

1. Venues, parks, beaches, home etc. $1,000.00
2. Do myself: Invitations/Programs/Thank You Cards $60.00
   
3. Decor $200.00
   
4. Floral Decor $100.00
   
5. Dishes/cups/flatware $100.00
   
6. Food/Drinks $400.00
   
7. Bouquets/boutonnieres $60.00
   
8. Dresses/Grooms-wear $500.00
9. Wedding Cake Supplies and Mixes $60.00
10. Grocery Cake $60.00
11. Ceremony Music $150.00
12. DJ 3 hours or Harp player $300.00
13. Set up/Tare down help $200.00
14. Toast Server $50.00
    
15. *Extra: Jewelry $40.00
    
16. *Extra: Veil $20.00
17. *Extra: Honeymoon Sweet $450.00
    

*(Add Extras that come up/allow room in your budget-remove if you can't afford.)

• Total $3,750.00 / Budget $4,000.00
  

Now write details of things you need for your wedding ceremony and search for good deals! Try to stay within your means. Imagine your reception and do a detailed list for this as well including foods/drinks. Does it match your budget? If not keep trying, searching.


Local Orange County Stores:

Bargained Vintage Dress $100

Michaels (good coupons offered)
Walmart
Costco
Smart and Final
Ralph's or Albertson's (Catering/Cake/Floral)
99 Cents Only Store
Thrift Stores: Salvation Army, Good Will


Good Deal Wedding Dresses:
Jessica McClintock Outlet
Thursday-Monday only

5458 Moreno Street, Montclair, CA 91763
909-985-2770

Good Deal Suits/Tuxes:
Three Day Suit Broker

Friday-Sunday only
18349 South Euclid Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
714-549-3329

Good Stuff Online: Search, Search, Search :)


www.eBay.com
www.orangecounty.craigslist.org
www.pennysaverusa.com
www.jessicamcclintock.com
www.3daysuitbroker.com/
Free wedding website for you and family + tips:
www.brides.com

Good Stuff People I found in/near Orange County:


Good Event Coordinator/Planner: She's a great help! She will work with you within your means and has a great eye for decorating! Loved meeting her!

Michelle King (Style on a Shoestring Event Planning)
styleonashoestring@gmail.com
626-394-6820


Good DJ: He is a people person- definite love for music!
Jaimes Palacio  (Fly By Night DJs)


Good Photographer: She has a real artistic approach!
Deserie


http://photos2bdesired.com
deserie@photos2bdesired.com
951-544-0061

Good Decor: Canopies and Gazebos, gorgeous to say "I Do" under!
www.ocgazebos.com

Good Cakes:
http://www.cakewhimsy.webs.com


Congratulations and may God bless you! Enjoy your planning- stress less, a wedding is fun and love is the goal, not what colors match perfectly... keep this in mind if you feel yourself stressing. Feel free to share ideas, comments and your favorite vendors or venues... brides gotta help each other out! Hope my tips help. Any questions? Let me know! Alysa