My parents are classic, hardworking immigrants. They came to the States in their twenties and have been here ever since. Every time I'm with them, I'm reminded of how unbelievably hard they've worked all their lives to give my sister and I everything we've ever wanted. So, it's no wonder that for several days after I visit them, I go on this "gotta-save-money-mission" where I try to be super frugal and not waste money on stupid, useless, over-priced "things" that I don't need. So, in the spirit of being cheap, I offer up some budget-friendly ideas for your big day.
When your guests arrive, they're likely going to bring cards (hopefully filled with cash!) and they'll need a place to hand them in. For my own wedding, my father took a plain cardboard box and wrapped it with pretty wedding-themed wrapping paper, cut a slit at the top of the box, and tied a white bow around it. It costs us nearly nothing and it worked great. To dress it up a bit, you can stack a bunch of different sized boxes (for height). Take a look at this one constructed from stacked Tiffanys boxes and white satin ribbon. It's eye-catching and unique... and best of all, cheap!
This next idea is one of my favorites! I wish I had thought to do this at my own wedding. Take a few vintage family photos and frame them for your guests to view at your cocktail hour. These can be a great conversation starter as guests mingle during the hour before your reception. I would use wedding photos to match the occasion. Ideally, you'll want to include small table cards or tags to identify each photo (i.e., "bride's parents" or "groom's parents") so the guests know whose photos they're looking at. Add small candles around the photos and you have a table filled with interesting and original decor. Love it~
My final idea for the day is for the more ambitious brides who are courageous enough (and organized enough) to create their own reception centerpieces. If you don't want to spend big bucks hiring a florist, but you do want flowers for your tables, try making your own "submerged garden" centerpieces (I just made that name up, but this look is a hot trend these days!). Just like in the photo below, you can buy various sizes of glass vases, fill them with water, and then completely submerge your flowers in the water for a soft, fluid look. A few tips: 1) You can purchase the glass vases at bulk prices from online wholesalers such as Save-on-Crafts or from arts & crafts retailers such as Michaels or AC Moore. 2) For the best selection of fresh flowers, cut out the middleman and go straight to your local flower market. The one in NYC is located on 28th Street from Seventh Avenue to Broadway as well as Sixth Avenue from 27th to 29th Streets. 3) To make sure that you preserve the freshness of the flowers, don't submerge them in the water until the morning of your wedding. 4) Don't be afraid to experiment with different flowers, different heights and shapes of vases, and feel free to try adding rocks or pebbles in the vases, and candles around the table. Have fun with it!!~
