Save Money on Your Reception

I got the strangest email today. It was a random email from a bride-to-be in Ohio. She is getting married in mid-November and is soliciting what she calls "wedding sponsorships" from wedding vendors. In essence, she is trying to obtain free services (food, flowers, wedding planning, photography, etc.) in exchange for free advertising for the vendors. She is having a wedding that will be open to the general public and is hoping to attract media attention.

Now, if it has always been this bride's dream to have a wedding that is "in the media spotlight", then more power to her. I suppose this is one good way to try to achieve her dream.

If, on the other hand, she is prostituting out her wedding because she thinks it is the only way to afford the wedding of her dreams, she is mistaken and will likely be disappointed and in tears on her actual wedding day.

There are always ways to have the wedding you've dreamed of, even if a few of the little details have to be altered.

Let's talk food, for example. Food stations are very popular right now at wedding receptions. If you're needing to save money, you can use this growing trend to do so. For instance, have you considered having a dessert & coffee reception? A no meals, hors d'oeuvres optional, dessert-only reception. You could have a small wedding cake for the cake-cutting ceremony and focus instead on other desserts. Here are some possibilities:

Are you into ice cream? Have a build-your-own ice cream sundae bar!

Hire a caterer who can give you an abundance of yummy desserts. Or, for more savings, enlist the help of family members to make some favorite desserts. Then place signs by the desserts to give credit where credit is due. For instance, "Uncle Joe's Apple Pie", "Grandma Betty's Chocolate Chip Cookies", "Cousin Emma's Fudge Brownies", etc.

These chocolate shells speak for themselves. Yum!

Another scrumptious dessert bar.

Believe it or not, these are individually dipped mini-cheesecakes.

What is very popular right now is the Candy Bar/Buffet. All that's required are some decorative glass jars, some of your favorite candies (even in your wedding colors), and some pretty scoops. And if you set out some personalized bags, the candy can double as favors for your guests to take home.

Another thing that's big right now? Comfort foods! Check out these mini-root beer floats. Mmmm.

Comfort foods evoke our fondest childhood memories. Brides are having their caterers use favorite family recipes, or create main dishes like macaroni & cheese.

Some brides are serving snacks later in the reception as their dancing guests begin to need some carbs ... things like mini-grilled cheese sandwiches, mini-cheeseburgers, mini-french fries, popcorn, etc.

Consider also the possibility of foregoing alcohol in exchange for beverage stations. You could have a gourmet coffee bar or a hot chocolate station.

It's your wedding, and there are always low-cost ways to make it everything you've dreamed of.

Just don't forget the Wedding Planner!

Rent a Photo Booth!

If you're looking for a really fun alternative to the traditional guest book, think about renting a photo booth for your reception!

As one of the newest wedding trends, it ranks right up there in terms of guest enjoyment and entertainment. Once guests have had the fun of entering the booth to get their pictures taken, they can place part - or all - of the picture strip into a scrapbook you have displayed on a nearby table. Provide some scrapbooking pens and voila! You have a creative guest book you're sure to look at over and over again throughout the years.

It's the kind of innovative idea that brings a smile to everyone's face.

Wedding Programs

If wedding programs are in your budget, they are a wonderful way to let your guests know a little about your ceremony and your bridal party.










Most people appoint a friend or family member to hand out the programs to the guests. However, an alternative is to place one program on every seat.

If your wedding is outdoors, a fun alternative is to tie or hang the programs on the chairs. This will keep them from being blown off. If your programs are printed on paper to match your wedding colors, this can add to the total visual effect. And if you know it will be a hot day, you can create your programs so they double as fans for your guests.

Be creative with the shapes of your programs.

Have fun with them!

P.S.
Becca, if you are still reading my blog, please know that your comment wasn't relayed to me by the site until today. I will be sure to get that problem fixed right away! But I wanted to thank you for your sweet comment last month. If you have any questions I can help you with, please feel free to contact me at becky@noordinaryaffair.com or 503-868-9455. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

Personalizing the Bride's Bouquet

Bride's bouquets are so beautiful in today's weddings. The hand-wrapped look sure beats those ugly cone-shaped holders from days gone by!

Although wrapping the bouquets is a gorgeous and simple way to tie in the colors and theme from your wedding, there are other ways to personalize this most important bouquet of all. Just think out of the box and be creative ....

... do you have a swatch of material from your mother's wedding dress that could be used to tie your bouquet?

... what about a piece of that afghan or muffler your grandmother once knit for you?

... do you have a special or sentimental piece of jewelry (necklace, earrings, bracelet, pin, brooch, etc.) that could be attached to the ribbon?

... what about something "borrowed" or something "blue" that could hook to or hang from the ribbon?

... how about the collar from your favorite pet? (This is one creative way to include your pet in the wedding without the chaos of actually having the pet participate in the ceremony.)

... what about something from your first date with your husband-to-be?

Do any of you have any other creative suggestions?? Please share them!

One Stop Shopping

Planning a wedding can be more than a little overwhelming. So when you come across a place where you can do a little "one-stop shopping", it can be a real God-send.

Life's Little Polka Dots is one of those wonderful sites where you can get a little of everything. The owner, Molly Guler, cares very much about providing quality products for her clients. She offers invitations, favors, jewelry, gifts, cake toppers, unity candles, sand ceremony vases, decorations and so much more.

And because her site is for more than just weddings, you'll know just where to go when you & your new husband get ready to welcome your future babies.