FOR THE BUDGET CONSCIOUS BRIDE
Submitted by:
Jennifer Simmons
Wedding: June 5, 2004
Location: Columbia, SC
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You don't have to buy everything for your wedding from the wedding aisle. This means that if you want to save money - think outside of the wedding box.
I hated the idea of purchasing a great deal of things for the wedding that I would never use again. So many people purchase all of these special, expensive items for the their wedding, only to tuck them away or box them up, never to be seen again. I see that as a waste. Here are a few "must have" items for the bride that I "cheated" on:
- Guest book: Instead of purchasing a big guest book, I made a wish bowl. I did not buy a "wedding wish bowl" from a wedding vendor though. I purchased a really lovely bowl and printed slips of paper (with cute wedding related designs on them) and decorated it by putting some greenery around the base. Then, instead of buying one of those fluffy feather pens (that for some reason never write very well), I bought a pack of bic pens. I decorated them with florist tape and silk gerbera daisies (by wedding flower choice) and put them in a lovely matching holder. Not only did the entire project cost less than $20, I also get a lot of use out of everything. The notes, more meaningful than signatures, that guests wrote are going in my wedding scrapbook. I use the bowl in my dining room to fill with fruit. I gave away a few of the pens to family members. The rest are sitting on my home office desk, in the pen holder from the wedding.
- Cake cutter: I did not purchase a special "wedding" cake cutter. I bought a set that was actually on clearance at the Bombay Company for less than $20. I absolutely love the set and have used it since the wedding. I wanted something that I could reuse everyday, instead of packing it away somewhere. That way, when I use my serving set every once in a while, I get a little reminder of that day.
- Toasting glasses: We did not get engraved toasting glasses either. My mother actually bought us a cute set that we can continue to reuse.
- Bridal shoes: You don't have to look in the bridal shop or at a bridal line of shoes to get the right shoes to wear on your big day. I know that for some people, splurging on an expensive pair of shoes is just as important as the dress. If that's important to you, then don't forsake it. But, if you are budget conscoius like me, then there are ways around it. I actually purchased a silver pair of pumps from SteveMadden.com. They were on clearance for $15. Even before I purchased those, I checked out the clearance racks at stores. You can easily find a fantastic pair of shoes for under $20.
- Veils: Again, if you have your heart set on a $200 veil and wouldn't be happy with anything else, then you should go for it if its within your budget. But if you aren't particular, then check out a craft store. I was amazed at the prices of basic veils in a bridal store, versus the price of those at a craft store. Or - here's another source: your family. I actually used the veil that my mother wore at her wedding. I couldn't wear her dress, so we had her veil cleaned for a couple of bucks. My cousin is doing the same with her mother's veil. Check around - one of your relatives may have one sitting in a closet somewhere just waiting to be used.
I pulled off my rehearsal dinner and wedding, complete with music, alcohol, and food, for 100 guests for under $5000. Yes, it can be done. You just have to decide what you want to splurge on and where you want to save. |
