Inexpensive Wedding Planning Ideas For The Budget Conscious Bride

Okay, I always tell my budget conscious brides that most of your wedding budget should go towards your wedding reception, because this is where most of your guest will be spending most of their time. Whereas the ceremony may last an hour, the reception can run the span of several hours. Because this is where you and your guest will be spending most of the day, most brides want the reception site to look breathtaking. I know I want my guest to be amazed by the way the room looks.

Decorations are extremely important to me because I truly believe they help set the overall mood of the events. Believe it or not, guests do take behavioral cues based on how the room looks. Sounds silly doesn't it? But, think about when something is decorated for kids; It's usually in bright, playful and vibrant colors that make you feel young again. Now imagine being in a room that is decorated for a formal event. Sitting at a table where there are three forks, three knives, and three spoons in front of you, doesn't make you feel like turning cartwheels. You will probably feel more appropriate sipping on some champagne and chatting with friends. So, reception decorations set the mood for all of your guests. But with so much to plan, where should you start.

You should always know what you want before buying or renting anything for your space. That doesn't mean that you must know every detail, but there should be certain buzz words in your head. Are you looking for simple elegance or over-the-top fabulousness? Are you going with a particular theme? Or do you have a motif that you want to use throughout the day? These are important questions to ponder in order to get great wedding reception ideas. It is also important to understand that your wedding reception décor should reflect your personality and the level of formality that you are looking for. So think about your buzz words, because they should sound off, in your head, whenever you look at any décor elements. For example, I am truly simple when it comes to decorating. I don't like things to be over-the-top, so simplicity is a really big buzzword for me. Although I want things simple, that does not mean I want a picnic in the park for my wedding day. I think more about a simple, sophisticated style because I think it reflects my personality. Thank goodness that my fiancé is the same way. Anyway, your buzzwords will help give great wedding reception ideas.

Now, I know that no one has to tell overly excited brides this, but you also need to flip through wedding books and magazines to figure out the look that you want. One of my favorite wedding pastimes is to go to the bookstore, get a stack of magazines, find a corner, and dream. Look at the décor elements featured in the magazine. Notice the tablecloths that are being used on the tables as well as the shapes of the tables. Think about the elements that you like and how you would want it to look differently. Pay close attention to how each detail sets the right mood. Browsing through these books, magazines, and online wedding websites helps to shape your wedding reception decoration ideas.

Now once you have done all of your researching and dreaming, you should have an idea of what you want and you can start the decorating process. Those who are not in the wedding industry probably only think about flowers and that's it; however, so much more goes into decorating your reception-linens, lighting, and even table settings; And those are just a few items. Let's start with the things that many people tend to overlook but is an important wedding reception element which are the table.

Most weddings have the large round tables because many venues offer this and for years, this has been the standard. Rounds are great because many venues offer these tables at no cost and many centerpieces are made with round tables in mind. I also think that rounds are a good choice because although many brides want something out of the box, round tables still give that "wedding" feeling that we are looking for.

Although the round table is still a popular choice, some brides are looking towards square tables. Square tables are becoming quite trendy with brides and they provide more of an urban, sleek and modern feel. This is quite the option for brides such as myself. However, keep in mind that many couples have to rent square tables which can be an added expense to the budget.

Long, rectangular tables give a more intimate, family-oriented experience because the guests are not separated by a large table. A unique way to get a great experience with rectangular tables is to set up a family-like dinner setting at each table where guests can pass food around. They will feel more like they are at a family gathering.

Another unique way to really spice up your reception is to use all of these shapes. Don't just use the rectangle tables for the head tables and the rounds for the guests, have a mix of round tables and square tables. This can loosen things up and not make your wedding reception seem so formal. This is definitely for the more daring bride.

Let us not forget that with the age of the cocktail party coming back in style, a great alternative to large round tables is the more intimate cocktail tables. You can have a variety of high and low tables that can seat two or four people. This really creates an adult, chic ambiance. This of course is best for serving hors de oeuvres as opposed to full meals. This provides the perfect opportunity for your guests to socialize with the other guests.

Alright, we have our table shapes picked out, so let's move on to linens. Things such as tablecloths seem like no big deal to many people, but to a bride, they become larger than life. Things like tablecloths, napkins, and even fabric swags can really make your wedding reception one of a kind.

Linens lend a big hand to the reception décor of a wedding whether we notice it or not. I remember being at my cousins wedding and noticing how the overlays stood out and really enhanced the reception look. Although I was more intrigued by the couple and their happiness, I also loved that the reception reflected the wedding colors. That is the same thing that brides want the guest to think, and this may not be achieved with white linens. When white was the supreme color of the wedding, white linens had it good. Many reception areas provided them, and many brides used them. All of a sudden, brides did not want the plain white linens anymore and the demand for color was in. Even with white linens, brides are trying their best to find ways to incorporate color. Your table cloths are a great way to incorporate your wedding colors.

Now, tablecloths not only bring color, but texture as well. Tablecloths are made from many different materials besides cotton and satin. You have the heavier, more formal damask materials with beautiful patterns or stripes. This is usually made in silk, lace, or synthetic fibers. I think this is for more formal affairs & not, necessary for your outdoor, casual reception. There are even the overlays that are affected by the colors around it. These are usually sheer and when placed over a tablecloth or next to a particular color; it changes in color as well. Linens can accentuate your wedding reception and bring it to life. Because of all the choices, it is paramount to make sure that your linens reflect your look. Heavier fabrics go better with formal indoor receptions while lighter fabrics work well for outdoor or more casual affairs.

Don't forget your napkins! The napkins can be white or match the colors of the wedding. When put on the table, they add a nice touch to the overall reception decorations.

You don't just have to use fabric on tables. Hanging fabric is also an inexpensive way to decorate at your reception. Fabric swags from the ceiling add beautiful drama to a plain room. Also, fabric hung from the walls can also add to the décor.

One major impact on the wedding reception is lighting. Lighting can create a great a great atmosphere to get guests in the mood for a wonderful party. Of course, there are a number of ways to use lighting to help spice up the wedding reception.
Candles, candles, and more candles! Not only are they inexpensive, but they also create a wonderful glow that can warm an entire room. Candles can go with any type of centerpiece. They are great for low, high, traditional, or more modern. Candles don't only have to be at the tables, but they can decorate other reception areas such as the bar, cake table, and seating cards.

Spotlights. Lighting companies can do great things with lights that can boost the reception feel. Spotlights can be focused on the sweetheart table or on the walls to add extra color. Maybe no one will come to the wedding and say great lighting, but it is one of those background objects that add to the overall mood. A great idea is to have a light with the monogram of the couple focused on the dance floor.

String lighting and lantern lighting are also great for décor. String lighting with swags of tulle around it makes a soft glow over the entire room. Lights intertwined with flowers attached to the bar or buffet table is a creative element. For outdoor affairs, I love to see lanterns hanging from trees or a tent. The glow is not overbearing and lends to the festive feeling of the guests.

When I was 12 or 13, I remember being the hostess at my cousin's wedding. One of the first things that I saw when I walked into the reception hall was this beautiful wedding cake. For years, I dreamed of a fairytale wedding cake just like hers. The cake was tall, separated by columns with a few tiers, although I can't remember exactly how many there were. At the top of the wedding cake were the bride and groom, and on the side were the bridesmaids and groomsmen standing on staircases that led to the top. The staircases were also connected to smaller cakes that adorned the side and underneath the cake was a fountain. I think many brides remember the era of the big cakes with all kinds of special decorations on them. I just stood there amazed and looked at her beautiful wedding cake decked out in the colors of the wedding and dreamed of the day that I would cut into my own wedding cake that looked just like that. That cake was probably the second most admired part of that wedding.

As brides, we want that reaction to our wedding cakes as well. We want people to mill around it and admire the creation that is a symbolic of a couples new union. We have dreams of hearing those "ooh's" and "ah's" and the conversations about the décor, the colors, and the height of the cake. The right wedding cake should take the breath away of all your guests, and make them anxious to take a bite.

The wedding cake is one of the major elements of the wedding day. Because it is such a big purchase, much time and purpose needs to be dedicated into making the perfect cake. If you have never planned a wedding before, you may have a hard time figuring out where to start. Well, by the end of this article, I hope that you will have a clearer understanding about what you need to create that wedding cake of your dreams.

The Shape Basics

First, let's focus on the different shapes of most cakes. The shape of your cake is very important because it can affect the number of people that can be served and the price as well.

Round: This is the traditional shape of most wedding cakes and is still widely used by most brides. Because the shape of the round cake is the most simplistic, it is usually the least expensive; plus it's usually easier to decorate.

Square: The square wedding cake is, usually, used by brides that want to break away from the traditional round cakes; but at the same time, they still have the look of a basic wedding cake. The square cake can be more expensive because it may require more labor. Oftentimes, the baker has to cut the sides of the cake to make them look sharper and neater.

Heart: For those eternal romantics, this is the cake shape for you. Again it may be a bit more labor intensive depending on how it is to be frosted and decorated. It's also important to keep in mind that the amount served from this shape may differ from that of other shapes.

Mad Hatter: This is for the couples that really want to have a more whimsical & fun feel to their wedding cakes. These cakes are usually uneven & slanted shaped. This is for the bold couples that are not afraid to be different. Instead of the traditional wedding décor, these cakes are usually decorated in bold colors and patterns.

Hexagon: This is a cake with six sides. This is another shape that is growing in popularity because it is a deviation from the traditional round wedding cake. Again, the price of this cake is more expensive than that of a round cake because of the time it will take the baker to cut and frost these cakes, but the finished product can be absolutely breathtaking.

The Icing

You basically have two different types of icing - butter cream and fondant.

Although there are a variety of recipes for making butter cream icing, it is usually made with butter, sugar, milk, and vanilla. It has a thick but creamy texture that is easy to cut through. For a bride on a budget, butter cream icing is a great way to go because it is usually cheaper than fondant. It can also be used as a filling for your cake as well. A downside to butter cream is that it can melt in hot settings, so if you are having an outdoor soiree, butter cream icing may not be your best option.

Fondant is made from sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin. It is very elastic in texture. With fondant, you can literally roll it out with a rolling pin. Because of its strength and elasticity, many bakers use it for unique architectural designs. It can be shaped and molded into many different designs. Fondant is usually more expensive because it is more labor intensive.

Your Dream Wedding Cake

One of the things that you may have been thinking about since you got that rock on your finger is what your wedding cake will look like. If you are anything like me, you have already flipped through the wedding and bridal magazines and even looked at the pictures on the wedding websites in order to get an idea of what you want.

I think a great way to figure out what you want in your cake is to think about your personality and what you like. Do you like for things to be grand and theatrical? If so, you may want a tall cake with lots of decoration. Are you planning a small wedding reception with a few friends and family and think that a huge cake for 200 is ridiculous? Maybe you want something simple in stature and design. Your personality should be key in deciding what you want. When thinking about my wedding cake, I just thought about my style when it came to decorating and how I dress. I don't like for my house to look cluttered. I want everything neat and in its place. When choosing clothes, I tend to stay away from crazy patterns; I like a well-put-together classic, yet modern look. So knowing that I liked things to look sleek sophisticated, and clean, an intricate design for my wedding cake isn't something that I am interested in. I decided that my dream cake would have three tiers with white frosting and the cake decoration will follow suit.

Another good way to figure out what kind of cake you want is to think about the theme of your wedding. Think about whatever motifs you will sprinkle throughout the wedding, the cake should reflect this as well because it will be a focal point in the reception. If you are having an urban sophistication theme, should you really get the grand cake with the tons of flowers flowing from it? Maybe not, however, a cake of this magnitude may be great for a garden theme. So once you pick your wedding theme, your cake will take its shape (no pun intended).

Money Saving Tips

As you may have noticed, certain small details can really raise the price of your wedding cake. One of the most important things to keep in mind, when choosing a cake, is the amount of people that you plan to serve. Part of your price depends on the number of guests that you will have. This is one reason why cutting the guest list can always bring down budget costs. This is especially true if you are paying for a cake that has pricing that is based on the slice. For instance, if you have a cake that is $1.50 per slice and you are inviting 300 people, your cake without any décor will be $450. So one way to keep costs down is to keep the guest list as small as possible.

Another way to keep costs down when it comes to your dream cake is labor. The more intricate your cake decoration details are the more your costs will increase. If you want a 4-tiered cake with a lace-like pattern, understand that someone must do that pattern which can take hours to recreate. Certain patterns, piping, or detailed frosting designs can take a lot of time and work. Remember, this labor increases your price. So, if you want to keep cost down, make the decorations simple.

Fresh flowers on the cake always bring cost downs. As brides, we are completely intrigued by the gum paste flowers that are edible and beautiful. I mean, they look like the real thing and they mimic every detail of the real flowers. Because they do, these beautiful details cost. If you decide to decorate using fresh flowers instead, your décor can still be as breathtaking without the exorbitant prices.

Ribbons are a simple way to bring your wedding colors into your wedding cake design. This way you can decorate your cake without raising the price. Because my tastes are quite simple, I love the idea of putting a thick beautiful ribbon around the cake and pinning it with pearl pins. This is a very simple way to decorate and the pearl gives a look of sophistication to the cake as well. Again, using ribbons instead of icing as a decoration choice can make for a beautiful wedding cake without the large price.

Go to the grocery store. Every visit to the grocery store is like a visit to your cake baker. As I begin shopping at my local grocer, I always see beautiful wedding cakes staring at me. These are cakes that are designed by the grocery stores in-house staff. The quality of the cakes on display is a true testament of the level of talent these bakers have. Who at your wedding will actually say, "This is a terrible cake because it came from the grocery store"? People in the wedding industry, along with many other socialites, will make you feel that a grocery store wedding cake is a cheap cake that will taste bad and is bad for your guests. Don't listen to them. Every cake that I have had from a grocery store has been delicious, and many of the guests, at weddings that I have planned, have said that the cakes were delicious (and they had no ideas that it came from their local grocery store). Many grocery stores will work to match your colors as well as your decoration needs. They are even willing to set up cake tastings with you, and some even have faux layers to offer!

Have a fake cake. Many brides are doing it to get the drama of a beautiful wedding cake without the price. They will have a faux cake, and in the back is a sheet cake cut up for the guests. This is a brilliant idea f

Using silk flowers for your wedding is one idea that you will be glad that you went with. Thought of as a social faux pas in the past, silk flowers are now becoming the choice of many brides not just those worried about cost. Many brides are choosing to use silk flowers in their weddings because it cuts back on the stress and worry before the final days. This is especially true if you are doing your flowers yourself.

When you are thinking of silk flowers on your wedding day, do not think of the ratty flowers at the dollar stores with the misshapen petals or the thread coming undone. Think about high quality silk flowers that truly mimic the look of fresh flowers. These silk flowers have been put together with the care and the study of the real flower to make them look as realistic as possible. Silk wedding flowers give you the beauty of flowers on your wedding day without the fuss.

Where to Find Quality Silk Flowers

The DIY'ers already know that one of the best places to find beautiful silk flowers is at your local craft or hobby story. Because there are those who dabble in flower arranging, these stores offer a variety of flowers. Some stores even offer classes on arranging flowers or have someone who can make custom arrangements for you. Also, if you are like me, you want to feel and touch the flowers to actually see the quality of what you are getting. You can study them to see how well they can go with your look.

Your local florist is another place where you can get beautiful silk wedding flowers. Many people may want arrangements done for a number of events or their personal space where they don't want the flowers to die in a few days. Because the florist has the best connections and the expertise on flower arrangements, they are a great resource in finding fabulous silk flowers for your wedding day.

Last but not least is the internet. The internet has many sites that not only offer silks, but packages with them arranged as well. You can get the flowers you want arranged at quite a reasonable price. Silk wedding flowers can even be found on eBay. However, always make sure you find a reputable company that has a reputation of providing quality service. Many sites do show pictures of their arrangements and offer testimonials. If this does not assure you, buy a test bouquet to see if the quality is what you are looking for.

The Advantages of Silk Wedding Flowers

1. They can be done in advance. Although real flowers are very beautiful and breathtaking, they must be done right before the wedding in order to not wilt. If you are a bride on a budget and taking this task on yourself, you may find yourself overwhelmed and stressed during a time that should be fun and relaxing. With silk arrangements, you can arrange them ahead of time which can reduce the stress of the last few days leading up to your wedding. On the day of your wedding, they will still be even more beautiful than the day you bought them.

2. Submerged, they look real. One of the big trends in weddings now is the submerged flower. What is so good about this trend is that you can submerge a silk flower in water and no one will be able to tell if it is real or not. If the flower is submerged in water, all people will see is a beautiful arrangement. No one will actually put their hand in the water to see if the flower is real. Also, being that you need less flowers when doing submerged or floating centerpieces, this saves on money.

3. Allergies are not aggravated. You, your hubby to be, or any of your guests may have certain allergies when it comes to flowers. To avoid the inevitable sneezing, runny noses, or red eyes, silk wedding flowers are a great way to have that floral beauty and happy guests. This is also a plus if you are having an outdoor wedding and are afraid of attracting insects.

4. Life-lasting keepsake. The fabulous thing about using silk flowers for your wedding is that you can have a keepsake. You can bring a centerpiece home as well as your bouquet and save on floral preservation costs. They can become a decoration for your home and a reminder of the start of your married life.

5. Great as favors. Many of your guests may fall in love with the wedding centerpieces that you have on the tables. A great favor would be to send the centerpieces home with those flower-loving guests. Your guests get great arrangements to beautify their space as well as a reminder of your wedding day.

6. Sturdy flowers. Because real flowers are more delicate, cold or heat can cause them to wilt quickly. If you are having an outdoor ceremony, the flowers may not be able to stand the heat. What if you forget to put them in water to keep them looking fresh? Well, with silks, this is not a problem. They don't need water and can stand any weather conditions.

7. Less expensive. Now this is always argued because quality silk flowers can cost as much as live ones. This is true; however, if you need a particular flower in December that can only be found in France, the cost can rise. You can use silk flowers instead and have incredible savings. Also, when submerging flowers, because you generally use less, you can use silks instead of the real ones which can run cheaper. You can also save money with silks by checking out sales on the internet and in stores.

How to Spice Up Your Silk Wedding Flowers

If you are using silk flowers for your wedding day, there are many ways that you can spice them up to make them even more unique which gives a personal touch to your day.

-Scent. We love the smell of real flowers, so how can we replicate a fragrant smell with silks. Spraying the perfume of your choice on the flowers is a great way. This way, the flowers have a wonderful smell that can add spice to your reception. Although, you want to make sure the smell is something that will not aggravate guests. I would suggest a real clean, light scent.

-Jewels. Instead of having a plain bouquet of flowers, add jewels to liven it up. You can get crystals glued to the petals of the flowers. This adds more pizzazz and personality to an already beautiful arrangement. Plus, you don't have to worry about damaging the flowers because they are sturdy enough to be handled.

-Feathers. Feathers can add flavor to any floral arrangement. Adding feathers to a silk bridal bouquet gives an extra flair that makes it stand out. Beautiful peacock feathers in a silk centerpiece arrangement helps add a certain level of exquisiteness.

How to Care for Silks

Although one of the advantages of silk flowers is that they need little tending and care, here are a few tips to make sure your silk flowers for your wedding day are in perfect condition.

To clean silk flowers you can wash them or clean them by hand, but this is not the most recommended way because it can become a bit messy and time consuming.

A great way to keep silks looking their best is to use an ozone safe aerosol spray. This can keep them looking clean and fresh.

If any of the greenery is wrinkled, you can steam iron the leaves. Just make sure the temperature is on the lowest steam setting. Test a corner before steaming out the wrinkles.

Many stores that carry silk flowers also carry silk flower cleaners that can keep silk flowers looking great.

I think we all can agree that, one of the first things that we see when we walk into a wedding reception area are the centerpieces. If you've ever been to a bridal show, it's as if the florist booth always draws brides to it with displays of beautiful centerpieces. By the time you are finished looking, you have visions of flowers dancing in your mind. Many times this look comes with a price, a BIG price. So what's a girl to do? How can you have beautiful centerpieces without sacrificing every penny? Here is what I did.

First, you must assess where the wedding is taking place. Are you having a wedding at a reception hall that has a low ceiling, and you want tall, statuesque centerpieces. You may want to bring the height down a bit because it may give a look of being cramped or packed. You may want to do a medium height or even a low centerpiece. On the other hand if the room has high ceilings, the tall centerpieces may give your reception the drama that it needs.

You also have to think about the formality and theme of your wedding. Centerpieces do convey the theme and give cohesion to the look of the entire day. If you are doing a laidback country casual theme, your centerpieces should reflect that. Don't use the look of the urban city loft. What if you are having a highly formal wedding reception? I don't think the party centerpieces from the prom will match the look that you are going for. Beautiful centerpieces are a reflection of your tastes and your style.

Next, you need to get ideas. What did I do? I went to bridal shows with a camera. Whether it is your camera phone or an actual camera, it does not matter. Just bring something and snap pictures of the beautiful centerpieces that you see. Don't just snap a picture and walk away. Study it. See the flowers that the florist used. Look at how the arrangement is done. I know you may not be able to do the exact same thing, but try to see if you can take cues from it to make it the beautiful centerpiece that you want. On top of studying it, talk to the florist. Ask questions about how they created it. Tell them that you are a bride on a budget and see how they could make this centerpiece for you but cheaper. You may be surprised that the florist can actually save you big bucks. By doing this, you should at least get an idea of what you want and the look that you want.

Practice. Practice. Practice. Buy some flowers and practice making centerpieces that you may like. I have made over 10 types of centerpieces that I think are beautiful. Since I like roses, I bought roses from the grocery store to get the look of a variety of centerpieces. This is a pretty cheap way to practice; however, if you can't do this, decide on the flowers that you want, and buy silks and experiment. A favorite place of mine to get silk flowers and vases from is Michael's. Practicing works best when you have time. Because I have been engaged almost two years, I am in no rush to decide and can go through all the ideas in my head before making a decision.

Before you know it, you will have beautiful centerpieces that everyone will notice at the reception. Remember; think about your space, theme, and formality. Get ideas and practice those ideas to see if they are practical for you.

Things to Remember:

Try to find inexpensive flowers that can give the same effect as expensive ones. Some centerpieces are over $100 per centerpiece. Part of this cost is the flowers that you use. Find cheaper flowers!

Don't spend much money on the container. All eyes will be on the flowers. No one cares if the vase is crystal or made out of a special kind of glass. Truth is no one will notice. The Dollar Store, Family Dollar, and General Dollar Store are a few sites with nice vases that you can use.

Taller centerpieces are more expensive than lower ones. Many taller centerpieces are more elaborate than the lower centerpieces, so this means more work and sometimes, more flowers which can be a large task it you are taking this on yourself.

Elaborate centerpieces take a lot of time, effort, and talent. Make sure you know how to arrange the centerpiece you want. You don't want to be halfway through making the arrangements, get frustrated, and be ready to quit. Give yourself time. Get help. Take some classes to learn how to make more intricate centerpieces.

Make sure the centerpiece is a reflection of you.

If you manage to follow some (if not all) of these steps, you are well on your way to making your wedding centerpieces Inexpensively Fabulous!

You've found the perfect dress. You have a great pair of shoes. Your hairstyle fits your gown. But now, what do we do about jewelry? Have you seen the wedding shows that show the brides talk about their "bling"? These brides spend enormous amounts of their wedding budget on bracelets, earrings, and necklaces just to top off their wedding day look. So, what's a bride to do when her whole wedding budget is less than the cost of a diamond bracelet? She should keep it Inexpensively Fabulous! Here I'll give you a few ways to have the fabulous look without the large price.

Borrow or rent. Unknown to many brides on a budget, there are many jewelry stores that will let you rent their jewelry. Do a quick search for "renting wedding jewelry" and find the best vendor to fit your budgetary situation. Many celebrities do this in order to look as if they have these priceless jewels, so you'll be in good company! Besides, no one has to know that you are returning the jewels. All they have to know is that you look fabulous on your big day.

Get the next best thing. If you aren't able to rent the jewels that you want, try the next best thing. Many jewelers specialize in making fabulous cubic zirconia jewelry that looks just like the real thing. Again, guests will never be the wiser unless Uncle William is a jewelry expert.

Go to the teen's jewelry store. These stores are hidden treasures. Although most of the jewelry is for young, teenage girls, they also have a section for prom or formal events. Here you can find beautiful tiaras and jewelry that can compliment your gown. These are beautiful, inexpensive alternatives to pricey jewelry options. It is no less your wedding day just because the "bling" is not genuine.

Make it yourself. Now this may be a stretch, and because I have a friend who makes jewelry, this was a reasonable option for me. As a gift, my friend would make my bridal jewelry set. So, in your case, you can take a class and make your own beautiful crystal necklace with a fabulous set of earrings to match. This can definitely add a personal touch to an already perfect look.

The bridal gown is the most important choice a woman will make for her wedding day. When looking for a gown, you want it to be a gown that represents you. It has to make you look your best. What other day will you have that will have everyone wanting to get a glimpse of you? Because of this, there comes a lot of sentiment with a bridal gown. But the catch is price.

If you look at the bridal shows and bridal magazines, the dream bridal gowns cost more than our entire wedding. Is it exactly worth it to spend $5000 on a bridal gown that you will only wear for 10 hours of one day in your life? So how does an inexpensively fabulous gal find her dream dress without the high price?

One great idea that is catching on is renting a gown. Many people have a misconception about this. They tend to think that you will wear what many women have worn. That may not the case. Many rental companies are willing to order a gown that you are interested in. A good way to do this is to find the actual bridal salon that sells the dresses that can be rented. Go to the salon and find your dream dress. That way, you know what dress you want and the size to order it.

Another inexpensively fabulous way to find your dream dress is to go to a department store that carries formal dresses. Many of these dresses are very affordable. Some are as inexpensive as $200. Usually the dresses are sectioned off by color. Go to where the white gowns are and see how you can get that perfect bride look without the high price.

A great tool to use is the internet. Type in key words such as "cheap wedding gowns", "inexpensive wedding gowns", or "affordable bridal gowns". There are many bridal salons that sell gowns at an affordable price. I found my gown by doing an arbitrary search one day and came across a bridal salon in the neighboring town. I set an appointment and went to find a dress. The salon was in the owner's house. She had a beautiful collection and had them affordably priced because she bought them when they were discontinued. I bought an inexpensively fabulous bridal dress worth $700 for $221!

Wedding centerpieces are a critical part of the wedding décor and can also take a huge part of the wedding budget as well. So what's a fabulous bride on a budget to do? There are many ways to make your wedding reception look breathtaking without the huge price tag.

Candles We have all heard that candles are an inexpensive way to create a beautiful mood for a wedding reception; well, I have to agree with that. Candles create the perfect romantic atmosphere. When the lights are low, they produce a warm glow throughout the room. Although pillar candles of varying heights can be elegant and sophisticated, tapered candles with beautiful glass holders can create the perfect formal look for just a few dollars. They are also available at the dollar store! So go ahead and make your wedding centerpieces spectacular, and light up the room with tons of candles.

Nature Mother nature offers many excellent things that make for great wedding centerpieces. Take a stroll in the country and find beautiful leaves in gorgeous oranges, yellows and browns for a fall wedding. Why buy leaves from the florist when nature offers them for free? You can submerge the leaves and float candles on top, or you can spread the leaves on the table. Not only do they give color but, they give texture as well.

Another gift from nature are branches that can also be used in centerpieces. Branches can create that height that many brides want their wedding centerpieces to have without the cost. They can also be sprayed gold or silver to match or compliment your wedding colors.

The beach is another source of great inspiration for wedding centerpiece ideas. Although this does not come from nature, many craft stores carry large, beautiful seashells that can be the "vase" for flowers. To compliment this, small seashells from the beach can be spread around the centerpiece. A small mound of sand can be poured into a wide vase with seashells on top.

Petals We all want beautiful wedding floral arrangements, but may not have the budget for them. However, we can come close with rose petals as our wedding centerpieces. Petals surrounding candles make very beautiful centerpieces. If you are having rectangular tables, make table liners out of the petals and put votive candles on top of them.

Silks Now, I know that quality silks can be as costly as real, flowers, but using silks sparsely can be cost effective. Right now, the rage in wedding centerpieces is to have submerged flowers in a vase. If you get a vase and put a beautiful silk orchid in water with a floating candle on top, you will have a striking centerpiece. No one will know that flower is real because of the water. Plus, you can begin to assemble them ahead of time which will save you stress on your wedding day.

Fruit Fruit is another trend in wedding centerpieces right now. Fruit can be submerged in water or can act as a filler along with flowers. You can get red apples, put them on a sturdy stick, and put them into floral foam. With a few apples and some beautiful red roses, you have a unique centerpiece. The more fruit you use the less flowers you will need. Another way to use fruit is to submerge them in water. Lemons whole or cut within a vase can make for a great wedding centerpiece. This makes for a great urban sophisticated mood.

With these ideas, your wedding centerpieces can create the look that you want without making your budget grow. Look outside of the traditional wedding floral arrangements to generate the appearance that you want.

When we get engaged, we are so overwhelmed with joy that we are ready to shout it from the rooftops for all to hear. Some brides are so excited about the wedding that they arbitrarily begin inviting everyone that they are in conversation with. Before they even realize the numbers and cents of the wedding, they've already put themselves in the hole by inviting their distant cousin Sylvia or the great aunt Eva whom they last saw when they were five years old. We not only think about those distant relatives but the coworkers, gym members, and other people that are part and parcel of the snippets that we call our lives.

One of the most daunting tasks for a couple and their family is putting together the guest list. There is a list from the bride and another from the groom; don't forget the lists that come from the parents and all these have to be consolidated. Although the list may start small they have the potential to balloon into an overwhelming size because no one wants to offend anyone on such a special occasion.

A huge guest list may not only be overwhelming for you and your fiance, but it can also increase your budget . So, how can you stop the out of control guest list? I'll give you a few Inexpensively Fabulous Wedding tips that will help you shrink your guest list in no time.

1. Play the name game. This may sound silly, but anyone who is on the guest list that does not know your last name (or you don't know their last name) should be off the list. I was once invited to a party of a coworker. When she introduced me to her friends, she paused before she said my name. It was then that, I realized that she did not even know my first name. If you are not close enough to even know the name of the guest, scratch them off the list. (They would probably feel awkward attending anyway not knowing you or your family that well). This usually is for the people that you talk to at your cooking classes or at the gym.

2. Dream your audience. Daydream about who sits in the seats on your day. You probably see your parents, close friends and family members. These are the ones that you share your most intimate moments with and you absolutely have to have them present on your wedding day. Doing this usually eliminates many of your coworkers, unless you both have become close friends.

3. Follow your emotions. Look at your guest look and think about what would happen if each person RSVPed. Whose decline would make your heart sink the most? If that is your great Aunt Gertrude, please keep her on the list. Now if the decline will make you simply say "oh well, that's too bad", maybe that person can be scratched off the list. Remember, this is a celebration with the people that are most important to you; the people that have shared in your experiences as a couple and have played very significant roles your lives. If their decline evokes little emotion, then they may not be as close as you thought.

4. Use the talking rule. If you have not talked to them in a year's time, why are they on that list? Unless you are trying to repair a long lost relationship, it's okay to not invite people who you have not talked to in years. Because of the distances between you both, they may decline anyway unless they have the same desire to rekindle the relationship.

If you follow some or all of these steps, your guest list will stay under control and so will your wedding finances. It is better to serve a sit down dinner for 70 than cake and punch for 300.

As we all know, flowers and weddings go hand in hand. There are so many choices to choose from; we have roses, calla lilies, daisies, tulips, orchids, and hydrangeas, to name a few. With this wide array of flowers to choose from, no wonder brides feel like kids in a candy store when it's time to visit the florist.

As soon as we walk in the door, our senses are bombarded by all the beautiful scents and colors. Before we even begin talking about price, we've made up our minds and we want it, and we want it all! However, there is that hidden beauty, that stepchild like Harry Potter locked in the closet with so much potential, waiting to present itself to the world; That "Other Flower" is the carnation.

This Inexpensively Fabulous Wedding Tip is about the carnation, which is one of the most beautiful & overlooked flowers; and let's face it, many of us are flower snobs and we turn our noses down the Carnation. I'll be fair and admit, that the "snobbishness" is not totally our fault. We've been conditioned to associate the Carnation with cheapness, low quality or funerals. It's usually used as filler or an accent to a more popular flower such as the rose. However, the popularity of the bloom is growing and one person to thank for that is Martha Stewart. Her love of carnations is slowly becoming contagious. Alone, a carnation can look like a small, twiggy flower with no true beauty, but with the right amount of creativity, carnations can be striking not to mention budget friendly.

Just imagine a group of carnations bundled together in pink, yellow, red, and orange. It's this type of arrangement that can give an ordinary table setting more flavor & pizzazz. It can also add a more fun and whimsical feeling to your day.

But what if your color palette is more monochromatic, will Carnations still work for you? Of course they will, we have to keep in mind that carnations can be as equally striking in one color. A group of deep red carnations can summon the same idea of spicy romance as red roses can. You can have a bed of carnations as a place for the seating cards. Another cool and Inexpensively Fabulous idea is to have a ring "pillow" made out of carnations or you can even create a centerpiece using carnations.

The greatest thing about carnations is the price, and for brides planning weddings on a budget, price is key! Carnations are reasonably priced and can suit any budget. 25 stems of carnations can cost about $20 dollars less than 25 stems of 60 cm roses. So remember, using carnations as substitute flowers can really make a big difference with your floral budget & still make your event Inexpensively Fabulous!

Ms. Inexpensively Fabulous
www.inexpensivelyfabulous.com