RSS
August 12, 2009
Flower Power
To: All Budget-Minded Brides
From: The M.I.A. Budget Guru
Sorry I haven’t been around lately. Getting our November issue closed (and by the way it’s chock full of budget advice from me and other wedding experts). Meanwhile, Susie Coelho, television host, Grandin Road designer and best-selling author of four books, including Style Your Dream Wedding, stopped by with some tips about wedding flowers.
|
Susie Coelho: There are so many ways to create an inexpensive as well as a beautiful centerpiece! For a really romantic look, start by placing a round mirror in the center of the table, or, if you have a long table, use a long mirror. Then arrange small votives with tea lights on the mirror for a lovely glow. Add a pop of color with beautiful paper flowers. Psst! I found some great ones at Ikea! Or you can buy small vases and use just one flower per vase.
BG: Flowers tend to be a big expense, but what's a wedding without them?
SC: Oh, I agree. Flowers are often the main source of color in a wedding. To save money, use them wisely. Mix them with other less expensive elements, like grass, twigs, branches, etc. Or make a contemporary statement and use just a single stem per vase. If you want to go without the flowers, there are lots of alternatives to bringing in color by using ribbon, candles, vases filled with water, sand, stones, lemons, apples, etc. The most important thing is to pick a style and a color palette.
|
SC: Personalizing a wedding has nothing to do with money, but it does have everything to do with creative cleverness. Here are some options:
- For the couple who loves candy, how about having a candy bar for dessert instead of an expensive cake?
- For the couple whose first date included a movie, why not have the movie projected onto a wall during the reception—silent, of course?
- For the couple who has a beloved dog, who’d make a better ring bearer?
- For the music-loving couple, hire a local gospel choir or a cappella group to sing before and after the ceremony.
BG: One of the most popular bits of advice about cost-cutting is to cut the guest list. Well, what if you have a really huge list and you can’t cut it? What sorts of other economies might the couple consider?
SC: I would say that food and alcohol are the biggest expenses for most weddings and especially for big weddings! I personally love dessert and champagne receptions as an alternative to the sit-down dinner for big weddings. Another option: Serve only wine and beer; forget the open bar. And here’s one I’m hearing a lot about: If you’ve got girlfriends who know their way around a kitchen, have them get together and make cupcakes. You don’t need a huge, expensive wedding cake and the girls will have a blast making and decorating the little treats.
Posted by Susan at 10:45 a.m.
tags:
