| y"> | | | | money. Instead of the traditional florist, visit local |
| By cutting a few corners here and there, you can | | | | nurseries or garden centers. Often they have |
| save extra money while still having the wedding | | | | talented staff who specialize in bouquets and flower |
| you've always dreamed of. A beautiful wedding need | | | | arrangements. Or, splurge for the bridal bouquet and |
| not equal "big bucks." The following text offers | | | | give your bridesmaids a single bloom to carry. If you |
| suggestions for the budget-friendly wedding! | | | | have a few months to spare before the wedding, |
| First of all--get the dress of your dreams. Otherwise, | | | | get together with the girls for evenings of beading |
| whenever you thumb through your wedding album | | | | flowers--beads are cheap, but beading them into |
| you'll be reminded of the dress you wanted instead | | | | blooms is a labor of love--stunning and original too! |
| of the inexpensive one you settled for. But, while | | | | Make your own centerpieces. Shop the flea market |
| you splurge in the dress department, consider ways | | | | for a hodgepodge of vases to suit your style. Then |
| to lessen that photographer's bill! For instance, invite | | | | ask your mother or mother-in-law to be to hit the |
| your photographer to the church for professional | | | | grocery store the night before for a portion of their |
| portraits, but ask a talented friend to cover the | | | | stock (as cheap as $3.00 per bouquet). Then she can |
| reception (as your wedding present!). Likewise, ask | | | | arrange the flowers to her taste in your vases. |
| for disposable cameras for your wedding shower to | | | | When hall shopping, consider alternative settings for |
| be used at the reception by your guests. Finally, ask | | | | your reception. If you can do without the pat crystal |
| a trusted family member to do the taping of vows | | | | chandeliers, consider church halls, town halls, high |
| and big moments in the wedding. | | | | school gyms, community halls, forest preserves or |
| Make your own invitations! No, nothing tacky with | | | | some other special place that doesn't specialize in |
| dollar store ribbon. You can actually make a more | | | | weddings, but may allow you to add your own |
| stunning invitation than those typical embossed bell | | | | decorations. |
| invites your parents purchased. Buy several sheets of | | | | Finally, consider some of the following as well: ask a |
| handmade paper for your background and attach | | | | friend to do your hair and makeup, make your own |
| some vellum printed with your particulars. Spurge for | | | | bridal veil, make your own wedding favors, forget |
| some silk ribbon in your colors and you have an | | | | the cliché limo rental, and have a backyard |
| instant heirloom at half the cost. | | | | barbecue for your rehearsal dinner. |
| When it comes to flowers, you can really sink lots of | | | | |