A wedding is an expensive affair! Let’s not deny this fact. Every couple spends thousands of dollars to get their wedding details right and unless you opt to elope or have a court marriage with absolutely no frills, you will not be spared from this.
The last thing any couple would want to do is to start their life together in debt. Smart couples know that there are certain ways out to plan a fantastic wedding, but still stay within budget. One of the best ways to get the maximum done for the least possible amount imaginable, is to Do It Yourself. Well, of course you may not be able to do everything for your wedding by yourself. Yet, you can do at least a few things that will save you some money.
Most guests choose their wedding gift from the wedding registry . This can limit their options to a certain extent. Being invited to a bridal shower means getting an additional gift for the bride, but this time it is up to you to decide what you would give.
Only those who are very close to the bride are usually included in the bridal shower list. So, this is your chance to give a thoughtful gift, although it doesn’t mean you have to break the bank doing so. Since you personally know the bride, and what she is most likely to love, this is your opportunity to give a personal gift that you know will mean a lot to her.
Here are some tips to help you gift your friend a memorable bridal shower gift.
It’s not the cost, but the thought that counts
The best gifts do not necessarily have a very high price tag on them. You will anyway be spending a fair deal on the wedding gift, so keep the bridal shower gift simple but thoughtful. If you are good with your hands, consider making a special gift yourself. This could be anything from a necklace to a pair of hand-knitted mittens. Consider adding a personal touch such as a monogram of her initials, or creating the gift in colors that your friend adores, and she will fondly treasure it forever.
Choose something original
We know that not all of us are good at making things, so store-bought is the only way to go. Nevertheless, a store-bought gift can be just as thoughtful and special, when the buyer puts in effort to choose one that will be cherished by the bride. Try to look for something that is not a regular choice, but one that suits the bride’s preferences and taste.
Think of a shower gift that goes well with the wedding gift you get
This is a brilliant idea I found on The Knot,and I am sure it is a winner. Just like the wedding invitations are a sneak peek into what the wedding will be like, you can use the same to get gifts with a theme for the wedding. For example, if you plan to get table linen as your wedding gift, consider matching napkin rings that are personalized with a unique signature for the bridal shower, and it will make a befitting combination.
Wrap it to look elegant and attractive
Unwrapping the gift is a big event at the bridal shower. So, make sure you pack yours up to look inviting and interesting. Choose attractive wrapping paper and add bling with a silky satin bow. If you are giving a ready made gift, consider a DIY wrapping paper for a more personal touch. Add more drama to the event by wrapping up your gift in layers of gift wrap,and throw in an interesting message on one of the covers. Make it a humorous one, and it will be something that all the girls can read and giggle at. You can find some interesting ideas here on the Martha Stewart website.
Weddings are expensive affairs, but with smart planning, you have scope to cut your wedding costs. A few small adjustments that won’t significantly affect the overall picture will help you save money. Even so, you can still have the fantastic wedding you wished for.
Let us look at some ideas that will help you make this possible.
Venue and date
Weekend weddings are the costliest. Consider getting married on a weekday, and you can cut expenses. Make it a long weekend by getting married on Friday instead of Saturday.
Via Flickr
Summer and spring are peak wedding seasons. Get married in fall or winter, and you can book your chosen venue at an off-peak season rate, and save up to 15%. Use it to splurge on your honeymoon. An added bonus is that it is easier to book your favorite vendors and venue, as there is lesser competition for dates in winter.
Look for venues that already look good with the available details, so you won’t have to spend too much on dressing it up. This is easier if your wedding theme is rustic or casual.
Cut down guests
Excuse children and coworkers from your wedding list, and you will cut your guest list considerably. Keep the ceremony small but meaningful by having those who really matter to you in it. Similarly stick to the essential number of attendants at your wedding. This will help you cut down on bouquet and boutonniere costs, dressing up expenses, favours, accommodation and transportation.
Look for all-inclusive or discount deals
This may not allow you to have all the details you wanted in your wedding, but remember that all-inclusive packages and discount deals are way cheaper than when you make separate arrangements for everything. If you can get a discount voucher for your wedding accessories when you buy your wedding gown, it is a good deal that will allow you to save some money.
Also check out gowns in the clearance and discount section, and find one that is cheaper, yet works. Similarly, if a wedding venue comes with an on-site co-ordinator, you can have them do necessary arrangements at a reduced cost than if you hired someone just for the job.
Opt for seasonal elements
Where flower and food choices for your reception are concerned, you can snag a better bargain by going for what is in-season and available locally. There are plenty of flowers that make spectacular bouquets and centerpieces, and you needn’t always choose the exotic varieties for it to look attractive. Think out of the box, and you may be able to create a unique statement without breaking the bank. Reduce the height of centerpieces and use colorful and cost-effective flowers like carnations that aren’t expensive, but still impress.
Master the art of DIY
You shouldn’t attempt some things, like altering your wedding dress, unless you know what you are doing. But, you can do plenty otherwise, and save some money without hiring someone to do it for you. These include your makeup and hairstyle, finding party favors and writing thank-you notes. Ask your friends or family to pitch-in and help. Search for bargains and bulk deals for party favors, customize them yourself and avoid spending a fortune.
For more wedding tips and advice, visit us on Best for Bride.
More and more couples are creating their own centerpieces. Some buy vases, candleholders, or glass bowls and transform them into fantastic centerpieces. Others create unique centerpieces that are like unexpected surprises for the guests. Whether you want a classic centerpiece or something unusual, these ideas for beautiful DIY wedding reception centerpieces may inspire you.
A gorgeous wedding reception centerpiece can be created with large, shallow glass bowls that hold water with flower blossoms and floating candles on the surface. Some people add stones or colored glass to the bottoms of the bowls. While this is a easy DIY reception centerpiece, the design is very common. If you want something new and exciting, you may want to consider other ideas.
Hanging centerpieces can be incredibly innovative and unique. While some people take the typical hanging flower pot and place them over the center of the table, some approach the hanging centerpiece in a whole new way. Tying flowers and twigs with ribbons so they hang from the ceiling along with hanging candleholders create a romantic fantasy atmosphere.
Upcycled bottles are a popular choice for DIY centerpieces. The bottles can be painted, tinted with food coloring, or etched with the couple’s names or “LOVE.” Each bottle in the centerpiece can hold a single flower or small bouquet. Tissue boxes can be upcycled centerpieces by covering them using decoupage glue and newspaper or scrapbook papers. If you add printed photos of the couple, spray them with a fixative like Mod Podge spray so that the decoupage glue doesn’t smear the ink. Add plastic or styrofoam cups inside the tissue boxes to hold small flowers.
A vase decorated with black and white photos of the couple can be part of an interesting and fun centerpiece. The vase can be decorated with ribbon or craft embellishments as well. The vase can hold flowers in the wedding colors, white flowers, or a combination of both along with twigs or foliage.
How about a centerpiece floating in the air above each table? Large helium balloons can be tied to a vase or champagne bucket in the center of the table. The string can hold table numbers or light decorations like a cluster of smaller helium balloons. Use balloons in white to reflect colored lighting or the wedding colors.
A bowl of fruit is an easy and unique centerpiece for wedding receptions. If there is in-season fruit that is the same color as the wedding colors, that would be the perfect choice. The bowl can be metallic or contrast with the color of the fruit. A bowl that matches the wedding colors and a fruit that contrasts well with that color can be used if fruit in the wedding colors cannot be found. A small cluster of leaves with a flower blossom can be a great little accent for the bowl of fruit.
The DIY wedding reception centerpieces can be recreated as described or personalized by adding objects that reflect the wedding colors or theme. The internet is a wonderful resource for finding DIY wedding decor tips. Browse our blog at Best for Bride for more sensational DIY wedding ideas.
Recent Posts: The Best Bridal Store - Your source for everything you want to know about weddings
![Crafting The Picture-Perfect Table: Coordinating Serveware With Wedding Décor [2025]](https://i0.wp.com/www.bestforbride.com/bridal-shop/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Crafting-The-Picture-Perfect-Table-Coordinating-Serveware-With-Wedding-De%CC%81cor.jpg?ssl=1)
