How to Plan a Wedding in 10 Days...and Keep a Modest Budget
How long have you and your fiance been engaged? Are you tired of
waiting for the big wedding day? You just can't wait to be Mr.
and Mrs. "fill in name of couple." Well, wait no more! Here are
seven tips on how to plan your wedding in just 10 short days.
They are in no means in any particular order -- just use your
own common sense.
1. Borrow your wedding dress
Are you the same dress size as another female family member or
friend? Ask if you can wear their wedding dress in your wedding!
Not only will you look fabulous, but you'll already have your
"something borrowed" for the tradition. Plus, if you borrow the
dress from a family member, that will make the dress all the
more special. Buy your garter and shoes at a wedding shop or
even a craft supply store. You will have your "something new"
and if you get a garter with a blue bow, there is your
"something blue." As for "something old," borrow an item from a
family member that has sentimental value. Take good care of it
and give it right back after the wedding!
2. Make the invitations
Obviously you will not have time to order invitations, so make
them yourself! You can purchase wedding invitation paper at your
local office supply store, most of them come with a template
that you can load onto your hard drive. Then, you design the
invitation on your computer using the actual facsimile of the
invitation on your screen. The package will even include some
regular paper to test your designs on before you print them. Buy
mailing labels that you can print from the computer also. This
will save a lot of time and probably prevent you from developing
carpal tunnel syndrome in the meantime!
3. Talk to someone at the wedding venue
Wherever you choose to have the wedding ceremony -- a church,
temple, non-denominational justice of the peace chambers -- make
sure you book the date and time you want/need for the wedding.
If you need any special equipment, like a chupah (ceremonial
canopy) for a Jewish wedding, make certain that it will be
available. Ask about prices and see if you can cut a deal
considering the short notice.
4. Book a house
Finding it difficult to book a reception in so little time? Have
it at a relative's house. Chances are that you are getting
married in one of your hometowns (if you don't share the same
one) or current place of residence. What better way to save
money on a banquet hall than by having the reception at the home
of someone you know? Just make sure that it is large enough to
accommodate all of your guests, food, cake, music, and gifts. If
you prefer, you can even have the wedding ceremony at the house,
as well.
5. Find a wholesale florist
Search for a local wholesale florist. Not only do they generally
have many people working for them (meaning they can get large
orders filled in little time), but since they get their supplies
wholesale you will get a better price. Are you allergic to real
flowers? Have them make fake bouquets. They can make them look
just as beautiful and can even make them look real by adding
effects (i.e., clear glue droplets made to look like water).
6. Plan the menu and do it yourself
Not meaning cook everything yourself, but you can order deli,
veggie and fruit trays and have someone pick them up and arrange
them at the reception house during the ceremony. Buy bottles of
soda on sale and big bags of ice. Use paper plates and cups and
use plastic utensils and buy a fancy-looking vinyl tablecloth.
This will also make the clean-up a lot easier for whoever ends
up cleaning. They'll thank you for it later.
7. Friends, friends, friends!
Still need music, pictures, and a cake? Ask your friends! Even
if none of your friends is a DJ/KJ, photographer, or baker,
chances are they know some people who can cut you a deal. If you
can't afford a photographer, you probably have a friend who
takes awesome pictures. Have them make the memories of your
wedding. If there are family photos and such that you want, make
sure you let them know. Get someone whom you know is famous for
their goodies to make the cake. It may not be the five-tier cake
that you dreamed about when you were ten, but it will be special
just the same. If you are lucky, you have a friend who
specializes in cake decorating who can build your five-tier
dream. Use a small boom box for music at the ceremony and just
have someone push the buttons. Make CD mixes of the songs you
want in the order you want them. Supply the person with a list
of what to play when and leave it to them. Have the same person
bring the boom box to the reception house so that you can have
your wedding party intros, first dance, etc.
So there you have it. It takes some time, but think of all the
hassles you will avoid by marrying so quickly. There will be no
time to change your mind about anything, much less change it
several times. Taking these seven tips to heart will allow you
to have a hassle-free, moderate-budget wedding of your dreams!