Invitations / table menus / place cards / orders of service
(aka "stationery", not to be, but often is, confused with "stationary")
If you're the crafty type, then the sky's the absolute limit when it comes to options for wedding stationery. Get yourself a decent printer, visit one of the many suppliers of specialist papers and go nuts. Friends who scrapbook will have some fantastic ideas on both design and where to find papers and accessories to match your theme. Table menus can double as name cards if you print the guest name at the top, and are a very affordable way to add to your guest tables' colour themes. Don't just stop at papers, either. Ribbon, lace, sparky bits, stick on stuff (can you tell I gave up scrapbooking after the 1st month?) etc. will all add an elegant and personal touch to your creations.
Bombonniere
(If I EVER spell that word correctly I'll be amazed. I've seen about 812 different variations, which is odd considering it's so few letters!)
Here's another area you can get up close and personal with. The traditional wedding favour consists of 5 sugared almonds, all wrapped up in a cute little tulle bag with a ribbon. These almonds are meant to represent happiness, health, wealth, fertility and long life. Wow. Cool! If, like me, your teeth run away screaming at the thought of sugared almonds, however, there are many, many other options out there. Some I've seen include silver momentos (key chains, compact mirrors, mini photo frames), stubby holders (useful, but don't always look so good on the guest tables), CD's (often flagrantly violation copyright laws, by the way), jars of lollies (you can get these cool ones personalised with your initials or names) and flowers or plants, just to name a few.
One of the loveliest ideas I've ever seen was Australian native seedlings planted in handpainted mini terracotta pots. Each pot had been painted in colours to match the overall theme, with the bride and groom's name and the wedding date. A tiny name tag on a ribbon was attached to each one, so they doubled as place cards as well. Call on those ever-patient (and hopefully crafty) bridesmaids to lend a hand with the painting process, but be nice, at least provide them with some decent champagne and nibbles to help ease the monotony and inevitable hand cramps of painting the words "Dick & Jane, August 2008" 47 times in succession!
Centrepieces
Now, unless you have a family member of close friend who has professional florist training, or incredible natural talent in this area I'd tend to steer clear of DIY flowers, as the ending result can sometimes be very amateur looking, but there are lots of other centrepiece ideas which don't involve flowers.
Mirrors, shells, glass pebbles, vases and lanterns, candles, leaves or petals, coloured water, and even goldfish can all be used to great effect. Once you come up with an idea you like, try contacting some decorating and florist wholesalers to buy in bulk and save the $$. Even if your heart is set on floral centrepieces you can save money by sourcing your own vases, and add your own touches in addition to the flowers with tealight candles, coloured sprinkles - anything at all!
A popular custom is to write the name of one special guest at each table, who may be a particular friend, or have helped out in some special way with the wedding plans, and ask that they take the centrepiece home as a thank you. Just remember that if you do this, you'll need to provide your own vases, otherwise you'll be in for a hefty bill from your florist!
IMPORTANT FOOTNOTE - if you go for the goldfish option, please remind your guests that, no matter how intoxicated they may become, you will NOT consider it amusing for the fish to be swallowed whole with a large bourbon and coke, and that any offenders will be prosecuted to the full extent of animal welfare legislation!
There are many other money-saving DIY tips, but as I seem to have committed to providing a tip per day, I'd better not post any more for now otherwise I'll have run out of material by June.
Happy Planning :-)
*J*
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