Ways To Save on Centerpieces

Depending on how many tables you have you could end up spending a pretty penny on your centerpieces. But not to worry, there are many alternatives to the traditional centerpiece and just as many ways to save money.

Less tables equal less centerpieces

The first, but less obvious way to save on the centerpieces (and on the overall budget) is by having fewer tables. This can be done by having fewer guests or by having fewer but larger tables. Not only does this mean fewer centerpieces but it will also save you money on table and table cloths rentals.

Provide your own containers

If using a florist, compare the cost of renting vases and containers, vs. providing your own. You may be able to find great bargains at stores like Ikea, the dollar store and even import stores. Or try getting containers/vases at thrift stores. Who says every container has to be the same? Like that you don’t have to worry about guests taking the centerpieces along with florist’s reneted vases with them.

paperbag centerpiece{via}

Go for a simple look

Create a beautifully simple centerpiece by just placing flowers in pretty vases with water, no arranging required. Just wrap a ribbon around the vase and you’re done.

simple rustic centerpiece{via}

Use plants as centerpieces

You can create an inexpensive centerpiece by planting several different plants in a pretty container or even in a glass vase; letting each layer of soil, sand and pebbles show through.

potted plant centerpieces{via}

Favors as centerpieces

Kill two birds with one stone. Instead of having a centerpiece and a favors next to each plate, combine the two. Just arrange your favors nicely at the center of the table. Perhaps on vintage thrift store bought platters?

favor centerpieces{via}

Votives as centerpieces

Place several small or one large candle at the center of each table. To add style and interest include different size candle holders.

candle centerpiece{via}

Use food in the centerpieces

Why not place a pretty inexpensive bowl (again from the thrift store) in the center of each table filled with exotic fruits or vegetables. You may even be able to match your wedding colors with the fruit and veggies.

citrus centerpiece{via}

 

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Wedding Photography Styles

Wedding Photography has changed a lot since your mother’s wedding. Before there was basically only one style (traditional) and everyone stood together and posed for all the pictures. There were of course a few candid shots, but they weren’t taken at different angles or at interesting perspectives, like they are today.

wedding kiss{via}

Traditional Wedding Photography

This wedding photography style has been around since the early days of wedding photography. It involves people posing for portrait pictures or having people freeze, smile and say “cheese”. The wedding photographer will have a list of preplanned shots created by the bride and groom, to ensure everyone is photographed. They capture the best possible shots where every detail is perfect. Although this photography style produces beautiful and perfect pictures, there is not much in the way of artistry or spontaneity. To see examples of the traditional style, click here.

Photojournalistic Wedding Photography

This wedding photography style does not involve any posed pictures and in turn captures the raw emotions and reactions of the day. The wedding pictures look natural and will have a sequence; each one leading to the next. Like journalism, the photojournalistic photography style tells a story sequentially through the wedding pictures. To see some examples of the photojournalistic style, click here.

Within this style there two approaches; scripted and unscripted.

Scripted involves taking planned non-posed spontaneous pictures. For example, the bride and groom want a picture of themselves on a pretty staircase. The wedding photographer will not have them pose on the steps but will rather photograph them while they are walking naturally down the steps.

The unscripted approach does not include any photographer interaction whatsoever. The wedding photographer is just there to tell a story, every shot is taken candidly as it is occurring. The bride and groom will at most times not even realize they are being photographed, so it’s later fun for them to discover the candid shots of themselves.

Artistic Wedding Photography

With this wedding photography style there is more creativity involved. It is a mix between the traditional and photojournalism styles and involves a little more photographer interaction. The wedding photographer places the couple and/or guests in interesting and even unusual settings and photographs them while they interact naturally with each other. It makes for some interesting photographs. To see some examples of the artistic style, click here.

Editorial Wedding Photography

This is a new wedding photography style that is gaining popularity. It is more like photo shoot photography than wedding photography. It mimics something you would see in a magazine. It involves a lot of equipment, hair and makeup and wardrobe changes. The bride basically becomes the model for a magazine shoot. It involves a lot of attention to detail and time but produces amazing wedding pictures. To see examples of the artistic style, click here.

Luckily, these days we have all these wedding photography styles to choose from. Many photographers are well versed in two or maybe even all of these styles. Each of these styles has its pluses and minuses. In my opinion, I think a mix of these looks great. You get your traditional posed generational family portraits, the photojournalistic pictures tell your story, the artistic capture all those details in cool and interesting ways, and the editorial style can be used to capture some ‘glamour shots’. By combining some of these wedding photography styles, your photographer will produce a collection of wedding pictures that is unique to you and lets your personalities show through.

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DIY Wedding Bouquets Ideas

One of the more personal parts of the wedding process preparations, I think, is creating your own bridal bouquet. Creating a simple or even more elaborate bouquet doesn’t have to take a lot of talent or time. Plus this is one of those places where you can get super creative and make something that is truly you. For example, I love hydrangeas and succulents, so I made my bouquet with both.

succulent and hydrangea bouquet

Make your own simple bridal bouquet

This video makes putting together your simple yet very elegant bouquet look really easy. You just tie it altogether with a pretty ribbon and some pearl pins. To see how this is done watch:

Alternative bouquets

The best part of doing this is the fact that you don’t have to deal with real flowers. So you can work on the bouquet little by little and make it months ahead of schedule. There are so many great ideas and options if you decide to go this route. You can make a bouquet out of seasonal natural materials like pinecones during winter or sea shell in the summer. Another alternative is to have both flowers and other materials mixed in for an even cooler effect.

You can also make smaller versions of these for your bridesmaids to carry.

You can basically make an alternative bouquet out of any material, but here are a few to get you inspired:

  • Paper
  • Silk
  • Buttons
  • Feathers
  • Sea shells
  • Pine cones
  • Fabric
  • Felt
  • Wheat
  • Old book paper
  • Jewelry or jeweled pins

See examples of these on my Pinterest Board.

Alternative Bridesmaid’s bouquets

Long gone are the days that every bridesmaid had to carry a bouquet. Skip the bridesmaid flowers altogether, have them hold something else. Or maybe a single flower with a pretty ribbon instead of a large bouquet.

I had my bridesmaids carry a pinwheel that I made myself.

pinwheel bridesmaid bouquet

Tutorials:

Here are the tutorials I used to make my bouquet an bridesmaids bouquets:

Succulent bouquet Tutorial and video.

Pinwheel tutorial (the tutorial calls for two-sided cardstock, I couldn’t find any that I liked both sides of, so I spay glued two different sheets together.)

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Average wedding cost in 2011

Wondering what the average wedding cost is? The Knot and Wedding Channel asked brides how much they spent on their weddings in 2011 for their Real Weddings Study.

Ouch! The good news is that all of these costs can be brought way down. You don’t have to spend anywhere near that amount if you plan carefully and keep control of your wedding budget. And diy’ing as much as you can along the way helps too.

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In the study they also found the most expensive cities to get married in the US. Don’t worry if you happen to be in one of these. I’m in Miami and I spent about a third of that, check out our wedding costs here.

Just keep to your budget and cut costs as needed and you’ll be fine.

most expensive places to get married graphic

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Calculate How Much Alcohol You’ll Need

Alcohol can become one of the pricier parts of your wedding reception. When planning this part you’ll need to consider how much you’re willing to spend, what you are going to serve, if you want an open bar and what will your guests prefer to drink.

reception alcohol

Although, your caterer or reception venue will be more than happy to provide the alcohol it may come with a hefty price tag. You can easily save hundreds of dollars by providing it yourself. Many caterers and venues will allow you to bring your own alcohol. Just be sure to ask about any corkage and bar set up fee and figure them into your calculations.

Where to buy the alcohol

You can purchase your alcohol at your supermarket, a liquor store, specialty wine store or online. But what I found to be the most economical when comparing prices was my local wholesale club; I saved about $6 on each bottle. Wholesale clubs, such as Costco, BJ’s and Sam’s (or whichever you have in your area) are a great place to save on wine, beer and champagne for your reception.

If you are not already a member, you may have to join; the cost is about $40 to $50 per year. The price is a bit steep but you’ll not only save a ton on the alcohol for your wedding reception but also on many household items and food throughout the year. Some of these clubs will occasionally offer a trial 30 membership, but you’ll have to be able to buy and return the unused bottles within that time.

Before you buy check the store’s return policy, many places will accept unopened/undamaged bottles within 30 to 90 days. Make sure you tell your caterer not to place too many bottles in ice at a time, this may damage the label and you may not be able to return the bottle if unused. Also ask your caterer to return any unopened bottles to you after the reception. Our caterer was actually nice enough to hold the bottles for us in their warehouse until we returned from our honey moon.

How to save on wine

Buying the larger wine bottles (1.5L) is more economical, they are twice the size as the regular bottles but not twice the price. And you can find many decent inexpensive wines bottled in that size.

Some specialty wine stores and supermarkets will offer a discount if you purchase per case.

Online retailers will often have special sales and discounts, but don’t forget to include S&H in the cost.

How to choose the alcohol

If you’re like me (not a wine connoisseur) you may not know what wine to buy. A great way is to ask family and friends, or even your caterer, what inexpensive wines they recommend. Or better yet a great (and fun) option would be to have a wine tasting party and see which wines win.

At your reception you should plan on serving both red and white wines, since not everyone will drink both.

Another way to still include some hard liquor but save money is to include one or two signature drinks. Your guests will have a great time sampling them and won’t mind that you have a limited bar. Just be sure to not make them too girly so the male guests will enjoy them too.

Calculating the amount of alcohol you will need:

The basic rule of thumb is that each person will consume one drink per hour (some will drink more and others less or none, these will balance out in the end).

One case of wine = 12 bottles

One case of beer = 24 cans of bottles

 

750 ml bottle of wine yields 5 glasses

1.5 L (Magnum) bottle of wine yields 10 glasses

1 L bottle of liquor yields about 17 drinks

Bottle of champagne yields 6 glasses

Magnum of champagne yields 12 glasses

 

Drink Calculators:

Wedding Wine and Liquor Calculator

Perfect Party Planning Drink Calculator

The Booze-O-Meter

The Drink Calculator

Drink Calculator

Every calculator will give you slightly different numbers. It’s probably best to use the higher numbers and add a few extra bottles (if returning unused bottles is an option), it’s better to have leftovers than to run out mid reception. For our wedding we grossly over-bought, we were afraid to run out. But the fun part was returning the unused bottles and getting all that money back, it was a little after wedding bonus.

Don’t forget to also ask your caterer how much alcohol they suggest you provide, they’ve been in the business for a while and can probably give you a good estimate.

wedding Toast

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