Your wedding day can and should be one of the most memorable days of your life. You dream, you plan, you experience and create a day you’ll never forget. That said, weddings are also often incredibly expensive affairs. Because this once-in-a lifetime day is so special, the temptation is there to break the bank. But, this doesn’t have to be the case. There are some incredibly simple ways you can still have the wedding of your dreams with elegance and class, while sticking to a budget.
Invitations
This is where it all begins, right? Fancy letterpress invitations are all the rage these days, with glitz and glam. But those heavy cardstock engraved invites come with quite a price tag. Instead, opt for exquisite stationary and flat printed cards. You’ll be impressed by how classy these look and you’ll also save a great deal of money. What’s more, you and your mom are really the only two holding on to those precious little pieces of paper for eternity anyway.
The Cake
Fancy fondant on your cake can also blow your budget out of the water. Classic buttercream is a wonderful option instead. It has been and always will be the go-to for elegance at an occasion, and it tastes better too. Another idea is to skip the giant cake all together and flaunt a cupcake tower, petite fours, mini fruit tarts, or even chocolate covered strawberries. Guests really tend to love the little things that are above and beyond and a bit unusual.
Flowers
Even though you’ve been dreaming of peonies in your bouquet since you were a little girl, it’s April and they have yet to bloom. Rather than shelling out the money to have them shipped in from who knows where, choose something similar that’s already in season. Antique roses, freesia, and even ranunculus will hold a candle to most flowers any day. Ask your local florist about substitutes that look similar to the flowers that are harder to find.
Guest List
While it’s tempting to invite everyone in your family, everyone in his family, all of your “best” friends, AND all of their friends, sometimes smaller is better. There is a lot to be said for intimacy at a wedding. You’re able to chat, engage, remember conversations, and enjoy the dance party when the guest list sits below the 100 or even 50 person mark.
The Date
Consider hiring a venue on a Friday or a Sunday. Saturday is by far the most popular day to get married and the price tag shows it. Many of your guests might enjoy an extra day off for a long weekend if you choose to get married on a Friday, and others would appreciate a Sunday morning soiree as well.
Sample Sales
Check out the samples at the bridal shop when hunting for your gown. You may be able to score something super incredible, in a style you never dreamed of, by scouring those racks.
Bountiful Buffet
A sit down dinner can be elegant, but it can also be stressful. Serving so many people all at once (if you opt for a larger guest list – or even just a group of 20-50) is quite a task. These days, catered buffets offer astounding displays of sophistication and enable you to serve all your guests to their pleasing, as well as save your pocketbook. Truly, the sky is the limit when it comes to buffet and catering options.
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