How to Have a Winter Wedding on a Budget

Whether you have thousands of dollars to spend - or hundreds of thousands of dollars, your dream wedding is within reach, as long as you budget wisely. Remember, the best budgets are there to keep you from losing control and guide you - not make you feel stressed or guilty. 

If you’re in the early phases of wedding planning and looking for some budgeting tips, we’ve got you covered:

Figure out who’s paying. Perhaps just you and your partner are splitting the fees, or maybe each family is looking to help finance as well. If that’s the case, discuss with your family and your partner’s family, separately, to see what they’re looking to contribute and help shape your budget from there.

Do your research. You’ll need to know what things cost in your area before setting a final budget. Meet with multiple vendors, get printed price lists, and understand the ballpark of what certain services cost. You don’t want to have your budget for photography set at $1,000 only to find out photographers in your area charge upwards of $5,000!

Make a priority list. Figure out which wedding elements are important to you and start prioritizing. Does saying yes to the dress trump your floral arrangement needs? Does photography matter more to you than booking the best band/DJ in town? Whatever it is that you value most, prioritize. Then aim to put 75 percent of your budget towards those things [in case you need to spend a little more here or there].

Uncover hidden costs. Be prepared to explore hidden costs like overtime charges, gratuities, not to mention all the little things like stamps for RSVPs or marriage license fees. Having a good handle on what the extras will cost will help you cover it all - especially where the above ’75 percent’ of budget is concerned.

Be smart. With all the above situated, now it’s time to put all your budgeting and money management tricks to use. Keep all wedding money in a separate account so you can easily track all withdrawals and additions without confusing them with your normal daily funds. If you have credit cards that offer perks [like miles, rewards, or cash back], pay off wedding expenses with your card and reap the benefits! Just don’t forget to pay off your bill each month!

Since 1988, Dynasty Limousine has been the ideal choice for families in and around the Long Island area. Our massive fleet of limousines, party buses and shuttles will make it easy for everyone to travel in style and comfort!

Click here to contact us and book your ride!

The Most Beautiful Spots for Long Island Engagement Photos

It’s 2017 and Long Island wedding traditions keep getting bigger and better. One of those traditions include elaborate engagement photo shoots — and we LOVE this idea. Not only will these photos provide great imagery for your save-the-dates, but you’ll cherish them forever, along with your wedding photos. But with so many great locations on Long Island, how do you choose the perfect setting?

A post shared by Elegant Cuisine by Courtney (@hautecuisineforeverandalways) on May 24, 2017 at 11:30am PDT

Raphael Winery

Peconic, New York

Transport yourself to the village of Tuscany by having your engagement shoot at the breathtaking Raphael Winery. Here you’ll find stunning details such as: beautiful lanterns, intricate chandeliers, and balconies that overlook the vines. It’s gorgeous Great Hall and Renaissance Room provide a rustic ambiance — not to mention the magnificent grounds. Pro Tip: End your shoot with a delicious glass of vino!

A post shared by Nicholas Sideris (@n.sideris) on May 13, 2017 at 12:14pm PDT

The Muttontown Preserve

East Norwich, New York

Head to the Gold Coast to commemorate your upcoming nuptials at the Muttontown Preserve. Here you’ll find 550-acres of gorgeous fields, woodlands, ponds, and old estate grounds to capture the essence of your love. You’ll also come across the striking ruins of King Zog of Albania’s mansion — which make for a unique but dazzling shoot site.

A post shared by Liz White Pear (@whitepearphoto) on Jul 14, 2017 at 3:51am PDT

Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park

Brookville, New York

Another Gold Coast Treasure, the Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, is nothing short of magical — plus it’s full of both nature AND history. Here you’ll find all sorts of backdrops to choose from. The Camelia Greenhouse and Main Greenhouse are home to gorgeous plants including: hibiscus, succulents, and cacti. Depending on the time of year, you’ll also find woodland paths strewn with wildflowers; finely-manicured landscapes; and even magnificent cherry blossoms and magnolias.

Why not make the day even more special? Dynasty Limousine is here to help — reserve one of our cars to get you to and from your destination and roll up like the King and Queen you and your boo are! Contact us today for more information and availability.

Wedding Proposals | What You Need To Know

Guys, you may not realize it, but the story of how you proposed will actually be told for the rest of your life. You better make it good! There are even companies dedicate to planning marriage proposals, like The Yes Girls Events. To take some of the heat off, we’re here with some romantic ways to propose that will make her sure to say, “YES!”

A post shared by HowHeAsked (@howheasked) on Apr 18, 2017 at 6:28pm PDT

Creative Marriage Proposals

Be creative. Your marriage proposal gives you the opportunity to add a personal touch. What do the two of you love? Is there something she’s always hinted at? If you’re going to do it go all out and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’re loved ones are sure to be willing to lend a helping hand.

A post shared by HowHeAsked (@howheasked) on Jan 25, 2017 at 2:24pm PST

At-Home Marriage Proposals

Do the two of you value your Netflix and Chill time? Do you frequently stay in more than you go out? Home is where the heart — so decorate your digs with gorgeous candles and flowers and propose in the place where your relationship has blossomed. Afterward, invite your friends and family and friends over to toast your love.

A post shared by HowHeAsked (@howheasked) on Apr 23, 2017 at 11:12am PDT

Destination Marriage Proposals

Want your proposal to be more intimate? Whisk her away to a surprise destination and use the beautiful, natural scenery to set the scene. Pro Tip: Don’t wait until the end of your trip. You’ll want to bask in the newly engaged bliss before heading back to reality.

A post shared by HowHeAsked (@howheasked) on May 12, 2017 at 11:24am PDT

Public Marriage Proposal

Today, truly public marriage proposals are going out of style. They are viewed as attention seeking and less than intimate. Rather than making a public spectacle, arrange to have both of your families go incognito somewhere nearby where they can view the proposal as it happens and make plans for a surprise engagement party to follow. Can you think of better way to share the news with your loved ones?

Once she’s said yes, let the planning begin! If you have any questions about renting the right transportation for your wedding party’s needs, contact us today at 631-587-8500.

Since 1988, Dynasty Limousine has been the ideal choice for brides and grooms in and around the Long Island area. Our massive fleet of limousines, party buses and shuttles will make it easy for everyone from the Bride and Groom to the wedding party and guests to travel in style and comfort!

Hacks to Pay for Your Wedding

You said YES — now it’s time to plan that big, fat, expensive Long Island wedding!

Inevitably the more planning you do, the more daunting your wedding price tag can become. That’s why we’ve taken the time to lay out these five hacks to make paying for your wedding a little bit easier.

Seek Out Vendors Who Offer Payment Plans

A common practice among wedding vendors is to require a deposit at the time of booking with the remaining balance due on the big day. However, many are willing to work out payment plans with you — just be sure to ask up front, as not all vendors will oblige.

Attend Wedding Expos

We highly recommend attending as many wedding expos as possible during the planning process. It may seem tedious — especially if you already know what you want, but many vendors offer special discounts during these events. Check out this list of upcoming bridal events on Long Island and in New York City, courtesy of LIWeddings.com. Make sure you keep any free gifts or discount codes you receive well organized so you don’t miss a beat.

Enter Contests

Is your favorite designer running a contest for a free wedding or bridesmaid dress? What have you got to lose? Many companies offer sweepstakes with chances to win money, dresses, honeymoons, and/or services. Pro Tip: You’ll frequently be entering your email address on websites while planning your dream wedding. Create a NEW email address for all of your wedding planning needs. This way you won’t have to weed through promotional wedding emails until the end of time after you’ve said: “I do.”

Use Credit Cards that Offer Points or Cash Back

While using credit to fund your wedding isn’t ideal if you have to do it make sure you’re using a card that gives you the most for your money. Open a new card that offers 0-percent interest for the first year and a low-interest rate after that. You’ll also want to make sure there’s some sort of cash back or points program. Imagine racking up enough frequent flier miles or hotel reward points to pay for part of your honeymoon?!

Look for a Venue that Offers Package Deals

Last but not least — there are beautiful venues on Long Island that offer all-inclusive wedding packages. One of our favorite deals is for The Cottage at East Wind. Book their special wedding package for 100 guests at just $9,995.  

Last but not least, don’t forget to build wedding day transportation into your budget! Dynasty Limousine is the ideal choice for engaged couples across Long Island. We combine an impressive fleet of immaculately kept luxury vehicles with professional and experienced drivers. If you have any questions about reserving a car, limousine, or party bus for your wedding day, contact us 24/7 at: 631-587-8500.

Wacky Wedding Facts, Traditions, and Superstitions

Weddings have a long, long history behind them. After all, they’ve been taking place since 3,000 BC — that’s over 5,000 years of saying “I do!” After all this time, many traditions and superstitions have been born. Read on for a list of the most interesting facts we could find.

Good Luck

• You may have heard that rain on your wedding day means good luck — but did you know that the English believe it’s actually finding a spider in your wedding dress!?
• In addition, English traditions say that Wednesday is the best day of the week to get married, while Monday is for wealth, and Tuesday is for health.
• Egyptians actually pinch the bride for good luck on her wedding day.
• The Greeks believe that if a bride tucks a sugar cube in her glove on the big day, it will sweeten her marriage for years to come.
• The superstition behind carrying the bride over the threshold on her wedding night is to protect her from evil spirits.

Bad Luck

• Contrary to Americans, the English actually believe that Saturday is the unluckiest day of the week to say “I do.”
• The Romans believed that getting married in May was very bad luck. This is because they held their festival for the dead during that month. There is even a children's nursery rhyme that goes, “marry in the month of May, and you'll surely rue the day."
• Steer clear of yellow roses in your bouquet and at your reception. They are thought to symbolize jealousy.
• This extremely dramatic superstition says that if someone drops one of the rings during the wedding ceremony, they’ll die.

The Rings

• Many believe that De Beers popularized the diamond engagement ring in 1938 — however, they actually first became a trend in the late 1400’s.
• Ever wonder why the “ring finger” is considered the fourth finger of your left hand? This is because it was widely believed that the vein in that finger leads directly to your heart.
• Non-Traditional engagement rings continue to grow in popularity, but don’t go for a pearl stone! They are believed to represent tears.
• The aquamarine is said to represent marital bliss and ensure a harmonious marriage.

Are you currently planning your dream wedding? Choose Dynasty Limousine for all of your transportation needs. We provide exceptional limousines, party buses, and cars for weddings. Contact us today to discuss your options 631-587-8500!

Spring or Summer Wedding? Book Your Transportation Now

Long Island's Premiere Limousine Service 

P: (631) 587-8500

With the flurry of excitement the holidays bring, it’s easy to press pause on your wedding planning. But as the New Year approaches and your spring and summer weddings come into focus - it’s time to make sure you’ve booked all the necessary vendors; specifically, your transportation! 

And here’s why!

1. The spring and summer seasons are peak wedding seasons - not to mention all the High School Proms! If you wait too long to book your transportation, there’s a good chance your selection of vehicles will be limited. 

2. Early booking lets you perfectly customize your wedding style. Perhaps you had your heart set on the classic Rolls Royce Phantom V. Since this is one of the very few still in service, waiting too long to reserve your ride could mean another bride has snatched it up for the same day. 

3. You’ll make sure your guests are taken care of! Maybe you only thought you needed transportation for your wedding party, but if you plan to have many out of town guests stay at a local hotel – you may want to consider additional transportation. A shuttle bus is the perfect option for getting your guests to and from your reception safely!

4. And it’s one less headache! You’ll breathe a sigh of relief knowing your bridal party and guests will be in attendance to your wedding. At Dynasty Limousine, our drivers are familiar with all local hotels and halls and our fleet comes equipped with GPS tracking and navigation systems for added routing ability and safety. We’ll make sure your guests will arrive safely, timely, and in style! 

Now that all your big vendors are taken care of, it’s time to focus on the little things. Leave these next few months to finalizing your seating chart, scheduling your dress fittings, looking into your marriage license, and more!  

Contact us today to discuss your options (631) 587-8500! 

Dynasty Limousines is one of the largest and most established limousine services on Long Island with a long history of wedding transportation. Our massive fleet of limousines, party buses, and shuttles will make it easy for everyone from the Bride and Groom, to the wedding party and guests, to travel in style and comfort.

Spotlight on: Our Bridal Shops

Long Island's Premiere Limousine Service

P: (631) 587-8500

Calling all newly engaged couples - not only are we equipped to handle your wedding transportation, we truly can help with every stage of your wedding process. How? Glad you asked!

While Dynasty Limousine caters to customers seeking transportation in all five boroughs, both counties, out to The Hamptons - our sister companies are what help make us your one stop shop for your upcoming nuptials. Learn a bit more about each, below:

Village Bridal and Boutique

A photo posted by tiffani 💋 (@misstiff723) on Oct 30, 2015 at 4:57pm PDT

 
Our Village Bridal and Boutique, located adjacent to Dynasty Limo, carries all the attire a bride and groom (and rest of the bridal party) will need to look their best on their special day. This means gowns, dresses, tuxedos, plus accessories: veils, tiaras, jewelry, clutches, shoes, and just about anything else you can think of - all under one roof. 

With multiple experienced and professional seamstresses on premise - you’re sure to receive the perfect fit. When it comes to men, the TUX LOUNGE at Village Bridal carries top designers such as Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Perry Ellis, and Demetrios – just to name a few. For the highest level of service, we recommend making an appointment prior to visiting.

New York Bridal Outlet and Boutique

Sooo many beautiful wedding dresses to choose from 👰

A photo posted by Jamie Rojo Capito (@jemmajums) on Apr 4, 2015 at 2:49pm PDT

 
Located on Broad Hollow Road in Farmingdale, New York Bridal Outlet & Boutique helps brides and their bridal parties take advantage of the products and personal assistance that come with a high end boutique - but at outlet prices (up to 75 percent off retail!).

Our boutique carries designer wedding and evening gowns, off the rack options, plus a selection of NEW gowns that can be ordered in the size and color of your choice. But please note, if you see something you like - you may want to purchase. New arrivals come in daily and with the inventory always changing, there’s no guarantee it’ll be there on your next visit. Appointments are required and unlike other boutiques, photographs are always allowed!

Once you say yes to your dress, be sure to book your transportation with us! Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. It should be filled with happiness, family, and friends, not stress or distractions. Dynasty limousines has been the ideal choice for brides & grooms in and around Long Island because we combine an impressive fleet of immaculately kept luxury vehicles with professional and experienced drivers.

Dynasty Limousine - Long Island’s Premiere Limousine Service

Long Island's Premiere Limousine Service

P: (631) 587-8500

From simple airport transportation to more complex wedding limo services, Dynasty Limousine is proud to offer an impressive fleet that caters to customers in New York City, Nassau County, Suffolk County, The Hamptons and all surrounding areas. 

Aside from fulfilling all of your transportation needs - we also have two sister companies Village Bridal Salon and Boutique and New York Bridal Outlet & Boutique, think of us as your one stop shop for your upcoming nuptials!

Learn more about our services below:

Wedding Services
Dynasty Limousine has been the ideal choice for brides and grooms in and around Long Island for years. Not only do we have an impressive fleet of immaculately kept vehicles, but our professional and experienced drivers are top notch. Whether you need transportation for just the bridal party or a shuttle for your guests - we are sure to have a car to suit your needs. Curious about our sister companies? Learn more about our Bridal Shops here»

Concert Transportation
The concert scene in New York is unmatched. Nikon Theater at Jones Beach, The Paramount in Huntington, The Emporium in Patchogue, Revolution Bar and Music Hall in Amityville - not to mention NYC’s favorites: Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, Irving Plaza, Terminal 5, the list goes on… Skip the hassle of public transportation and the worry of figuring out who will be the designated driver, Dynasty Limousine is available to bring you and your group to and from your destination promptly and safely. 

Long Island Wine Tours
Looking to have a unique getaway with your group? Let us show you the best wineries Long Island has to offer! Our wine tour division, First Class Wine Tours, can handle everything from vineyard arrangements to gourmet lunches for you and your party. We provide our customers with luxurious limousines and/or limo buses which can accommodate a party of 2 to 30 guests​ out to the East End of Long Island for a day of relaxation and fun. 

Airport and Corporate Transportation
Whether you are flying out JFK for vacation or are expecting some colleagues to land at MacArthur for a meeting, we have a full line of clean, modern Lincoln town cars and 8-10 passenger stretch limousines for both airport and corporate transport. We’re available for drop offs and pickups at all of the major New York Airports including: JFK, La Guardia, MacArthur, and for more private airports including Farmingdale Executive Airport.

With competitive rates and exceptional customer service, it’s no wonder why Long Island chooses Dynasty Limousine for all of their transportation needs! Give us a call today at 631-587-8500 to speak with one of our transportation specialists.

5 Tips for Creating a Wedding Website

Long Island's Premiere Limousine Service
 P: (631) 587-8500

Whether you like it or not, we’re living in a connected world. And for a bride-to-be that means:

• Having a plethora of Pinterest boards to assist in wedding planning
• A specific Instagram hashtag to document your journey to the alter
• A custom Snapchat geofilter for good measure

 And of course - the ‘wedsite.’ 

Your online wedding website should be the one stop shop for all guests looking for information - from wedding room blocks to your registry and beyond. Whether you’re choosing to create a free website on a site like The Knot, Joy, or Wix, or you’re putting your design and coding skills to the test, here are some suggested rules to follow:

 1. Figure out your theme - Similar to your save the dates and invitations, your wedding website should reflect your wedding’s style. Luckily, with the amount of wedding website builders out there you can easily toggle to change your theme if change your mind post production.

2. Have an introduction - You don’t need to have a novel detailing the ins and outs of how you two first met, but some kind of welcome or intro to the website and who you are as a couple is plenty. You may even choose to introduce your guests to the wedding party, including photos of all bridesmaids and groomsmen, add a fun fact for flare.

3. Include travel & accommodation information - You may be familiar with the area you’re getting married in, but there is a good chance your out-of-towners aren’t. Dedicate a portion of your website to directions (from various major highways), where your guests can book their hotel rooms (and at what cost), and all transportation information (what time they should be ready to board the Dynasty Limousine Shuttle Bus over to the reception). You may even want to throw in some ‘things to do nearby’ for guests extending their stay.

4. Registry and RSVP - Save on invitation and postage costs by directing guests to the wedding website for these items! According to an Online Shopping Report for 2015 - nearly 70% of Americans regularly shop online with close to 50% taking advantage of free shipping. We’ll bet anyone looking to purchase items off your registry will be heading to the website anyway, so why not help them get there.

5. Additional perks - Take your wedsite one step further, include a section detailing the weekend’s schedule, provide a fool proof FAQs page, and if you're daring - a song request section.

Dynasty Limousine has been the ideal choice for brides and grooms in and around the Long Island area because we combine an impressive fleet of immaculately kept luxury vehicles with professional and experienced drivers. If you have any questions about renting the right transportation for your wedding party’s needs - give us a call at 631-587-8500.

Why You Should Book Shuttles for Your Wedding Guests

Long Island's Premiere Limousine Service

P: (631) 587-8500

 

Excitement aside, it's not unusual for both local and out of town guests to stress over how they'll get to and from the ceremony and reception, especially if a drink or two is involved. Ensure they arrive on time, stress-free, by booking shuttle transportation with us! 

Here's some important things to keep in mind:

 

Consider where your ceremony and reception are.
Offering shuttles to help get guests to and from your wedding is a simple way to ensure everyone leaves the celebration and gets back to the hotel safely. Not to mention shuttles help your guests avoid the hassle of driving, parking, then driving again should you be having your ceremony and reception in two different venues. Plus, if parking is scarce, a shuttle service is a sigh of relief. 

Take the drive yourself.
While we’re on the two venue topic - you may want to consider taking the drive yourself. If you feel like you are schlepping across the world to get from your ceremony to your reception and back to the hotel - you may not want to sign off on anything just yet. Try looking into closer hotel options or a venue that can host both your ceremony and reception. If you’ve made up your mind - offering a shuttle service is a nice gesture.

Remember timing.  
Take the amount of guests you have staying at your hotel into consideration when coordinating the number of shuttles you book for the day. As Brides.com suggests, say you have 250 guests and have booked three 38-passenger shuttles to bring them from the hotel, to the ceremony, to the reception, and then back. Those three buses will need at least seven trips to pick everyone up which can amount to a long wait for guests on the last bus. Start the shuttles early enough before the ceremony and plan for a longer cocktail hour to ensure all guests arrive on time!

Dynasty limousines is one of the largest and most established limousine companies on Long Island. Our dedicated staff is here to serve you from your very first phone call. Our reputation is very important to us and we work hard to make sure that your experience with us is memorable and worry-free.