A wise person once said that “Less is More.” This is true for weddings too. I am not saying to settle for less or to scale down your dream wedding. I am saying that simplicity is often best and it helps keep your budget in check and your stress level down. Let me share with you some ways that I cut costs when planning my wedding.
First, let’s discuss programs for the ceremony. The fact is you don’t have to have them if you don’t want them; I didn’t and no one even seemed to notice. Some people like to have them. If you are one of those people, you can do them yourself. Go to a store that sells a variety of papers (party supply or art supply store) and decide which paper you would like. Make sure you ask if the paper is compatible with your ink jet or laser printer. Also, the more commercial stores like Staples and Office Depot make papers specifically for ink jets. Anyhow, set everything up on your computer and print out a 3-fold program (11” wide, 8.5” high-fold in thirds). Just copy the layout from those invitation catalogs as far as what kind of information should go in the programs.
Second, the flowers. Don’t go crazy with your bouquet. It doesn’t have to be a huge bouquet! It should cover your hands. It should be elegant and beautiful. As for your reception, you can buy a cake top and just put flower petals around it rather than spending a lot for cake flower decorations. Also, you can opt to have flowers in vases with a bow instead of having elaborate floral arrangements.
Another expense that need not be too high is the expense for reception favors. You can find those little personalized favor boxes at most wedding websites for a decent price. Then, you go buy candy or cookies that will fit in the box. I used the boxes with the heart-shaped handles. I bought a couple of yards of toule from the fabric shop and cut it into squares to go in the little boxes. Then we put two cookies in each box. It didn’t cost more than $45 for 75 favors.
*Tip: buy the toule from the fabric store and cut it yourself. It costs a lot less than buying the pre-cut kind.
Another cost-saving tip I will tell you about is regarding placecards for the reception. Many brides pay a lot of money for little placecard holders, calligraphers, etc. The truth is, no one really notices the placecards enough for a bride to spend a great deal of money on them. I know calligraphy, I was an art major in school. I did all of my placecards by hand with a calligraphy tool and an ink well. Everyone was too preoccupied with the reception itself to even notice all the hard work I did. And in the end, those placecards all ended up in the trash! So, don’t make these a big cost in your wedding.
The last thing is that your guest book table can be beautiful if you put framed pictures of you and your fiance as youths or maybe just framed engagement photos (or both). Put the guest book in the middle and add some candles; it will be wonderful. I’ve seen people spend A LOT on some big framed photograph and I can’t say it really looked that inviting or pretty. Imagine how nice it would be for guests to see you both as you grew up and as your are now in a display of about 10-12 photographs. It can save you money as well because a big enlargement and frame can cost quite a bit.
* Tip: Just make sure all of your frames on the table are the same color (all silver, all white, etc.).
Good luck brides!
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