Cheap and Easy Ideas for Your Wedding Reception

Weddings on a Shoestring Budget: Cheap and Easy Ideas for Your Wedding Reception

Are you getting married, but find it necessary to stay within a certain budget? Don't worry; you can still have a wonderful wedding reception, without spending a great deal of money. It's probably easier than you think to have a fabulous wedding on a shoestring budget.

Weather permitting one of the least expensive ways to save money on your reception is to have it in your own backyard… or in a backyard you have 'borrowed' from a friend or family member. This option works best for small, intimate, receptions. In any case have an alternative rainy day location chosen. It could be the living room or first floor of your house. You may still need to rent a tarp or covering so your guests aren't wilting in the sun.

If your reception will be on a larger scale, consider having it at a local park. Pavilions can usually be rented at a very reasonable cost. Many parks have additional facilities such as beaches and play areas, as well. (This type of amenity will be appreciated by the younger guests, in attendance.) Send an advanced group to scout the area for papers, trash, and dog droppings. Folding chairs can be rented so your guests will be comfortable while waiting for the ceremony to begin.

If you plan on decorating with flowers, use those that are in season. Many grocery stores now have lovely floral departments. Talk with the floral manager to see what bouquets she or he is ordering that are in your color scheme. Reserve the bouquets by prepaying for them. A good size bouquet is usually around $10 to $12 that's far less expensive than an arrangement from the florist. Shop good will stores for glass vases. Use inexpensive candles as the main focal point and the flowers as more of an accent. Doing so will save you money.

(You can easily 'jazz up' inexpensive glass candle holders with ribbon and other small embellishments that match your color scheme. These candles can even be given away as wedding favors, at the end of the reception.)

Food doesn't have to be a huge expense, if you don't want it to be. Ask your closest friends and family members to bring a dish to pass. You will find that they are usually more than willing to do so.

Another option is to serve several different desserts and beverages, instead of a large meal. The desserts can be purchased from a bakery or your local grocery store. Ask a friend to cut the desserts into serving slices and then store until the wedding. Individual mini tarts, cookies, cupcakes, are other alternatives.

Have the wedding of your dreams on a shoestring budget.

Fabulous Wedding Favors on Shoestring Budget

If you are in the midst of planning a wedding you are probably well aware of how costly it can be… especially with the current rise in prices. We are paying more for everything from gas, to food to everything in between. Unfortunately, it seems to be getting worse instead of better.

But, the good news is there is still hope. With a bit of research you can easily locate or create fabulous wedding favors on a shoestring budget. Rest assured that these favors won’t end up in the top of someone’s closet; they will be mementos that will be truly appreciated by your wedding guests.

Don’t spend money on wedding favors that the majority of your guests will just throw away. Doing so is just a waste of money. Most individuals, especially your closest friends and family members will appreciate a small homemade favor, which will serve as a reminder of the day.

You can easily create items such as bookmarks, notepads, small decorated picture frames and key rings, reflecting details of your wedding. These are all necessary items that will initiate an instant memory, each time they are used. The bookmarks can include a photos of the bride and groom as children, in high school and finally as they are now. Bookmarks can be ordered in small quantities of 50 or 100, as well as 1000.

Notepads can be ordered at the same time as the wedding invitations and save the date card and reflect the same theme. Pens can be personalized and included with the notepads for an extra gift. Picture frames can be decorated to match the wedding colors. After the wedding when sending out thank you notes include a wedding photo sized to fit the picture frame.
Order key rings online that can be customized with engraving or by snapping in a photo.

In the weeks before the wedding paint small votive candle holders with a few flowers that match the wedding colors and include a candle. The flowers can be stenciled on which doesn’t require a lot of artistic talent.

A very inexpensive but fun favor is a wine glass filled with Hershey kisses topped with netting to keep the kisses in the glass and then tied with a festive bow. An extension of this theme is to buy small bottles of wine that come in the four pack carriers. Make labels that have the bridal couple's names, photo, and wedding date that match the theme of the wedding. Attach the labels over the label that comes with the wine and tie with ribbons.

Another great idea for a wedding favor is a disposable camera. Give one to each guest, as they arrive at the wedding. Allow them to take the cameras with them, at the end of the day. Not only will they end up with pictures of the event that they can display as desired, they might even be generous enough to make copies for you as well.

Remember, there is no such thing as too many pictures… especially at the wedding! You can have fabulous favors at your wedding on a shoestring budget.