|
We
all want that over the top wedding - but who can afford all
the extras? We've got tips to make your wedding look lavish
without breaking the budget! |
| High-end Wedding Looks for Less |
|
|
|
Wedding costs add up quickly so you may only be able to
splurge on a few items. Do you go for the Vera Wang or
Monique Lhuillier gown, gourmet five-tier wedding cake with
clusters of sugar flowers, ten-piece orchestra, or
over-the-top reception décor? Only you can decide which
items to splurge on, but remember, just because you’re not
paying designer prices for everything, doesn’t mean you
can’t get designer style. |
|
|
|
David Tutera, party planner to the stars, creates
one-of-a-kind affairs for his clients but budget conscious
brides without a wedding planner can also create an
indulgent designer look for their wedding affordably by
focusing on creating one distinct high-end look; replicate a
lavish tabletop you discovered in your favorite bridal
magazine or create grandeur and drama copying a celebrity
destination wedding like Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’
Italian castle wedding or a star-studded breezy beach theme
reception. |
|
|
|
Here
are a few tips for creating tabletops and theme weddings
that look expensive but don’t break the bank. |
|
|
|
Simply Stunning Tabletops |
|
Tabletops for weddings this year are going glamorous. And
nothing says glamour more than a tabletop covered in
colorful dupioni silk, set with Lenox china, Waterford
crystal stemware with Veuve Clicquot champagne, Tiffany
picture frame favors, beaded or embroidered fabrics for
chair covers or napkins and pricey floral arrangements with
orchids, calla lilies, and gardenias. |
|
|
|
But
you don’t have to spend big bucks to get big bang for your
buck. A neutral table with colorful accent pieces in silver
and white conveys a richly elegant and expensive looking
table that will impress all your guests. You can create a
glamorous tabletop for a fraction of the cost of the
high-end wedding tabletop by selecting sparkling, glittery
fabrics like fancy linens in shimmery hues, dress up the
backs of chairs with monogrammed satin chair covers or
metallic pull bows, use silver accents on the tables from a
large frame to house the evening’s menu
to small frames with a photo of the bride and groom
as a take home favor. If crystal toasting glasses at each table
are not possible, try trumpet toasting flutes accented with
platinum finished rims for the bridal party only. Instead of
an expensive centerpiece, try using carnations, roses, and
greenery in centerpieces or use flowers that are in season
or try a cluster of elegant tea candles surrounded by a
sprinkling of rose petals as an alternative to a traditional
centerpiece. |
|
|
|
Fancy a Theme Wedding? |
|
If
you’re dreaming of an Italian or beach wedding but aren’t
reaching for your passport, you can create the style and
feeling of a destination or theme wedding without traveling
far from your own neighborhood by selecting accessories,
food, flowers and colors reminiscent of the locale you love. |
|
|
|
Instead of a reception in a medieval Italian town and
castle, you can
hold your reception in a mansion or historical home.
Select a menu with Italian favorites like antipasto, pasta
or pizza station, desserts like cannolis or tiramisu and a
selection of wines. Italy is known for its beautiful
landscape so play up that feature with
Italian floral vine
accents on the wedding accessories. Fill the room with the
scents and sights of Italy using fresh flowers like
sunflowers and climbing plants like bougainvillea with
votive candles for a romantic glow. And if Italian singer
Andrea Bocelli can’t perform live at your wedding reception,
don’t worry, a few of his songs played by a DJ helps conjure
up images of the love and romance associated with Italy. All
these details help to create the mood of an expensive
Italian wedding without a big price tag. |
|
|
|
Beach theme weddings also can be accomplished affordably
with or without actually heading to the shore. Whether
you’re traveling to the Caribbean or Fiji Islands for a
seaside wedding or holding the wedding at a
local marina or
lakefront restaurant, you can create a professional look by
having tents on the beach or a ballroom with a tented
ceiling of neutral muslin, fabric draped on the walls and
aqua accessories for a cool ocean inspired feel. Instead of
expensive tropical centerpieces with anthuriums, orchids and
gingers, seashell flower baskets filled with sand and shells
or large banana leaves and a single exotic flower like a
bird of paradise are a cost effective and similarly dramatic
alternative. A simple shell and ribbon trimmed pillar candle
is another fun centerpiece for a beach or tropical wedding.
Using
shell and sand accented accessories for an organic,
high-end look are just a few of the designer inspired
details you can do yourself that turn an ordinary wedding
into an extraordinary one. |
|
|
|
Don’t let a limited budget limit you from designing the
high-end wedding of your dreams. Focus on recreating one
particular high-end element of a wedding for a show-stopping
statement of your savvy style. |
|
|
Find more theme ideas.
Find a consultant to assist in your planning. |
|
|
|
This
Weekend's Wedding Show |
|
|
Sunday, February 24, Crestview Function Facility,
Noon to 3:00pm
Visit our elegant facilities, sample
some of our special recipes, indulge
in Decadent Cakes from Montilio's
Bakery, meet our Preferred Vendors,
enjoy the Music of our DJs, meet
with us and discuss your requests.
ADMISSION IS FREE!
Click for details. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
I am in charge of finding a hairstylist and make up
artist for my sister-in-law's upcoming wedding. We would
like someone to come to the house as the wedding is on a
Sunday. Is this something that could possibly be done? |
|
|
|
Yes! Typically, most salons will not service on Sundays
(you'd have to check with your local salon). But local
beauticians who specialize in wedding makeup and hair
will work on Sundays and will travel to your location. |
|
|
Find tips on looking great on the wedding day.
Find a beauty consultant. |
|
|
|
Featured "To Dos" |
|
|
|
|
