  For a less pricey cake options that looks more expensive and is cuter than cupcakes, try ice cream cone cakes. (Supplied) |
Your summer wedding. You want it to be perfect. But you're afraid. It's not cold feet you fear; rather, it's the soaring humidity and the dwindling bank account.
No matter what your budget, here are some fresh suggestions that are cool, chic, deceivingly expensive-looking – and secretly cheap.
Bride: You want to be beautiful, but to do this you need to be comfortable. Forget blisters and aching feet. Fancy flip-flops, flat or platformed, are key. (For my wedding, I chose white ones, and embellished with pearls and ribbon. So, that day, I literally - and figuratively - felt like I was walking on a cloud.)
Next - the most important purchase for your big day - your gown. Focus on the cut and fit. Find what looks good on you. Wedding gowns can be like white, weighted saunas, even the fitted ones. You may want to look for dresses with sheer or light materials.
Is your dream dress a nightmare budget? A good seamstress can affordably make your dream come true. You can also rent, or find surprising deals online, from gently used to wholesale dresses. And hey, you are encouraged to borrow something on your wedding day, aren't you?
Remember, your worth does not correspond to the price tag on your dress.
Groom: Sweating in a suit or tux is not very classy. Bring on linen shirts and pants. Not only will it give it the feel of a beach wedding, but it will also make the groom cooler and more relaxed (and keep the heat down on your budget). Want to dress it up a little more? Add a linen jacket. Just, don't forget the sandals.
Centrepieces: The average centrepiece costs from $65 to $175. Let's change that. How does $2 sound? (Your guests will never know. Ours didn't - well, not until we bragged about it.) We bought rectangular glass charger plates from a dollar store, laid vine leaves on them, and put bunches of grapes atop the leaves. Very Mediterranean. Candies, pictures, flower petals, fun table numbering works of art are all options. Let your personality outshine your chequebook.
Decor: A bouquet, a boutonniere, and a location adorned with flowers or a garden. You just hit the floral wedding load for about 97% off the regular fee. Make a flower girl a bubble-blowing girl. Also, hang some white Christmas wedding lights and now you've got a scene right out of a movie.
Photographer/Videographer: Check out a local college. Students who are about to join the workforce want your recommendation. Ask if you could get the rights to your photos and print them yourself (even if you choose a seasoned photog).
Food and Drinks: Don't go crazy. On your own, buy water, pop, beer, red and white wines, and a cocktail of the night. As for food, do NOT let the caterer upsell you. And pay your invoices with cash or cheque, so if any extra dubious fees are charged, they can't automatically be taken off your credit card.
Music: Rent equipment and have an iPod playlist with two to three hours of your specially selected songs. Then, hit random. This eliminates the opportunity for your drunken uncle to request that tune you absolutely hate.
Invitations: Buy good cardstock from an office supply store and print up the invites. For a special, pricey-looking touch, burn the edges (this works well on ivory). Or use a free online invitation service, like Evite.com.
(And don't forget, your guests need to be cool to have a good time. Remind them to leave suits and ties at home, and go "beach wedding" or "garden-party style.")
Cake: Cupcakes are less expensive than cake. But, take it a step further with something that looks more expensive than cake and is cuter than cupcakes - ice cream cone cakes. Your baker can fill goblet cones with cake. Frost to make them look like soft serve. Enjoy with a glass of happy budget.
And, never feel wrong asking for a deal; it is the best way to get a good one.
Finally, the best advice to anyone getting married is to be prepared for things to go wrong, and just accept it when they do. In retrospect, those things make for the coolest memories anyway. And that is priceless.
