Six.Ways.To.Save

August 25, 2008 3 Comments

I came across a wonderful article on In Style Weddings. 6 Chic Decor Ideas (or 6 Ways to Save). Fabulous ideas that I couldn’t pass up on informing my readers. Enjoy!

Be Flexible on Flowers

You’ve just discovered the centerpiece of your dreams is prohibitively expensive. No matter. Think about the color, height and texture you’d like and ask your florist to suggest another option. French tulips may be your first choice, but gladioli would give you a similar look for half the price, says Jung Lee of Fete, an N.Y.C. planning service. And remember, you can get away with fewer stems if you display them dramatically. Rent tall containers, fill them with water, and submerge a few French tulips, cymbidium orchids or amaryllis, or a branch of berries inside, says Bill Heffernan of Chicago’s Flowers by Heffernan Morgan.

Go for the Glow

Candles are one of the simplest and least expensive ways to enhance the ambience in a room. However, the cost of tall, thick pillar candles can add up quickly, often running $10 to $20 each, says Heffernan. He advises making the most of votives, which are significantly less pricey. If you wear a dress without a train, you can even use votives in glass hurricanes to line the aisle, suggests Lee. “They give off beautiful light as the bride walks in.”

Work Your Theme

Whether it’s something as straightforward as the season, a theme gives your wedding a cohesive look while limiting your choices—both of which can end up saving you money, says N.Y.C. planner Marcy Blum. A theme also provides a springboard for finding alternatives to expensive big-day items. For example, a full bar can tack zeros onto your total bill. Instead, try serving only a few cocktails, along with wine and soft drinks. For a wedding with a vintage feel, old-fashioned but hip rum drinks, such as mojitos and Havana coolers, provide a sophisticated twist on the signature cocktail.

Stick to a Favorite Hue

On any budget a monochromatic color scheme can pull a room together, adding up to a result that depends less on individual elements than on the overall look. Few will notice, for instance, if the pink flowers are carnations and chrysanthemums instead of more expensive roses or peonies, as long as the other similarly hued details work well together. “Using a beautiful pale pink tablecloth, napkins and flowers can look more powerful and substantial than having several colors,” says N.Y.C. planner Jennifer Brisman.

Economize on Favors

During dinner have the staff set up a table with your favorite desserts, along with extra servings that guests can box and take home. “I’m partial to dessert buffets,” planner Marcy Blum says, “and people are just tickled by them.” For a few recent New York City weddings, Blum gathered goodies—including cookies, cupcakes, cream puffs and key lime tarts—from local bakeries the couples liked to frequent. To dress up and personalize the boxes, have stickers printed with your names and wedding date, and tie packages with ribbon.

Use Recycled Cards

Send postcards that evoke the theme or locale of your wedding, instead of save-the-date cards, planner Yifat Oren says. If you’re getting married at a resort or historic inn, inquire whether there are postcards of the site that you could buy or have for free. (Blank vintage cards, available online and at flea markets, make especially charming choices but cost a bit more.) Either handwrite the essentials on the back or use a laser printer.
{credits: article from in style weddings, photos by: charles schiller}

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Comments

  1. Wedding Flowers says:
    August 29, 2008 at 9:17 am

    I especially like the flowers in the glass. Nice effect.

    Reply
  2. Sarah Pease says:
    September 4, 2008 at 12:10 pm

    Another option for candles is to get some battery powered lights. They look exactly like candles without the whole flammable problem. If that doesn’t work for you and you don’t have the budget for large vases, simply slip a piece of paper around a votive and it will give the light more height.

    Reply
  3. Wedding Flowers says:
    September 15, 2008 at 2:51 am

    Sarah – I agree with the problem with candles. You don’t want to be looking over your shoulder and worrying about small things such as candles on your big day!

    Reply

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