Centerpieces
- Arrange fat candles of different heights on a plate surrounded
by pebbles. Make sure the candles are frozen first so they burn
more slowly. Candles, decorative plates and glass pebbles or decorators
river pebbles can all be found at dollar stores for next to nothing.
- Set in the center of each table a group of similarly framed
photos of you and your fiance together, as children, with family
and friends. Bethany found that her guests enjoyed looking at
and discussing the photos far more than they would have admired
a $100 floral centerpiece.
- A large bowl filled with water set with floating candles and
flower petals is an eye catching, romantic and inexpensive idea.
- Neatly arranged wedding favors can make a great centerpiece!
Why not get double duty out of your gifts to the guests? Lola
had bought silver candle-sticks as her favors and used them not
only as a table centerpiece but also as place-holders. A sweet
tag on each with the guests name and a note from her and the groom
and the personal touch gave it a beautiful simple elegance.
- Choose creative centerpieces rather than floral arrangements.
For a holiday wedding, you can set out a pretty bowl or tray filled
with ornaments in your wedding colors. For a beach theme, fill
a glass fishbowl half-way with sand and top with pretty shells
and a starfish.
A Token of Our Appreciation
Favors and Thank You
Gifts
If the budget has been stretched far too tightly already, instead
of giving a 'gift' write each guest a personalized note on nice
paper to thank them for coming to your wedding and how much it
means to you both. A favor for your guest is not actually a requirement,
it is about reaching out and thanking your guests for being a
part of your big day.
If there is still a little room in the budget for guests, think
creatively. With all of the favor options available these days
it is easy to find options that are uncomfortably expensive for
guests to items that look and feel cheap and end up in the trash
very quickly. Choosing an appropriate favor at the right price
is possible – it just takes a little thinking.
- Play to your strengths. If you have a hobby or skill –
use it! Denise had been pricing favors for $7-10 each (for 100
guests!) when her fiance reminded her that she made really great
beaded items. Instead, Denise made each guest a unique beaded
key chain in a small gift bag. It cost her $30 for all of the
materials and she made two each night while watching television!
Guests were thrilled to receive something unique and made by their
host as well. If you don't feel that you have any skills, think
about people in your family or your soon to be in-laws. If you
can buy your favors from a relative you can probably save much
more than buying from a store.
- Homemade chocolate candy packed in little gift boxes are a cute
gift. It's common to be able to make the chocolates and buy all
the boxes you need for less than $40
- If making chocolates doesn't sound like your thing, how about
buying the small packages of high-end chocolates like Godiva or
similar? It's a little more expensive than making your own, but
its a particularly classy favor to give. Try calling the wholesalers
to see if you can get a better price by buying a case of the little
boxes?
- A small photo frame is a nice gift. You can also insert the
guests name into the frame and have them do double duty as place
holders. Department stores will often consider bulk discounts
for buying large numbers of one item. It pays to ask!
- Candles are also a common and lovely choice. Great looking and
great scented candles are available in all price ranges and store
managers are often open to accepting a discount for bulk orders.
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