How about a selection of deserts - cakes and cheesecake, carrot cakes from BJ's, Sams Club or a grocery store bakery and then a small cake for you to cut. Just add fresh flowers.
Experiment with a product called cookies and candies. They can be poked around the bottom of the cake and on top in the shape of rose petals. Just add fresh or silk flowers and ribbons. You will have a very elegant cake for about $13.
What about baking a bundt cake and glaze it then put flowers in the center of the cake. You can bake this your self ahead of time. You can bake three or more of these bundt cakes and put them on a tiered stand to create a grand presentation.
Wedding Tea
Keep it simple
Have platters of wraps from the deli, cookies you have baked, little delicate desserts you have found, bakery items, grapes, chocolate covered strawberries, cheeses, nuts..
I have tea cups and teapots. We can come around and serve tea.
Your cake can be cupcakes tiered on a stand. I can make suggestions for display. Then have a small cake for you to cut.
Purchase a pretty stemmed glass from the Dollar Store for each guest for a toast and then give each guest their glass as their favor.
Go to the auction and find sets of dishes with teacups and fill them with goodies you have baked. Wrap them with pretty plastic wrap and give them as favors after you have used them as center pieces.
Tie your napkins with something pretty like a flower.
Flowers
Purchase roses from BJ's - $12.95 for two dozen and then hand tie them for your bouquet and give each bridesmaid two roses to hold. Tie them with a long flowing ribbon.
Table Settings
I have a number of napkins, tablecloths, plates, flatware for up to 50. If you are happy with the colors and patterns that I have, then I will be happy to provide them for you for $2 per guest charge. This will cover my paying someone to set, clean, fold, put away the items. Caterers charge around $4.50 to 12.50 per person.
You can go to auctions and find plates that you can keep after the wedding. They won't match but they will be far more interesting and you will be recycling.
Favors
Re-purpose your decorations.
Instead of renting glasses or buying plastic glasses,purchase long stemmed glasses from the Dollar Store. You can decorate with beads or ribbons and place one at each persons place. Tie their name tag to the glass so they keep their glass and then let them take the glass home for a party favor.
Donations to charity organization in place of favors
In place of favors leave a little note at each place setting saying that money was donated toyour favorite charity organization..
Picnic- Pot luck Style gathering
If catering is more than you can handle, how about a picnic style reception where everyone brings something. Here is a check list to help you organize your people.
Guest Count _________ Be sure to be specific on how many people you wish to feed for each item
Food
Finger Foods
Cheese and crackers
Grapes
Veggies and dip
Chips
Salads – Green salads ________
Potato Salad__________
Macaroni Salad_________
Jell-O/Other_____________
Fruit Salads______________________
Side Dishes________________________
Main Dishes_______________________
Be specific on the size of pan or how many the dish is to serve
Condiments
Catsup
Mustard
Olives
Sugar – Creamer
Stirrers
Lemons
Beverages
Coffee/Tea
Sodas – Be specific on kind and containers
Liter Bottles or Cans
Ice for drinks
Desserts
Wedding Cake
Cheese Cake
Cup cakes
Ice cream cake
Food Support Items
Paper plates – dinner plates, cake plates
Serving utensils
Plastic forks, spoons, knives
Sharp knife for cutting
Decorative knife for wedding cake
Napkins for dinner and cake – large and small
Ice – ice bucket – tubs for ice and drinks
Hot pads
Warming frames – foil pans
Sterno cans
Garbage bags
Plastic wrap
Foil
Batteries
Matches
Plastic containers for left overs
Globes to cover candle
Hope this helps on organizing your day
For those who do not have time to cook - Safeway or any of the grocery stores supplies dele trays. Subway makes trays as well
Money Saving Ideas for Your Wedding
You know that you know you want to keep your costs as low as possible
and
still have an elegant wedding
As I come across money saving ideas,
I will share them with you.
Your Bouquet?
Your bridemaids can carry two roses tied with a pretty bow. You and your brides maids can do this the evening before.
How about carrying a candle instead of flowers and light the candles that the ones you love are carrying. After all, you light up their life!
Perhaps you might like to carry your favorite book or a Bible instead of an expensive bouquet.
I saw one bride carry a bouquet she made on a hand trowell that her finace used when he did dry wall! So clever. It was beautiful.
Go to a craft store and ask them to show you how to make your own bouquet.
Officiant
If you do not have a minister but a very trusted friend, he or she can register on line and perform the ceremony. Universal Life is the site.
If you have figured out ways to save money, please share your ideas with me.
I do not believe a couple should start out in debt for just 4 hours in their life..
Joan
Don't need gifts?
Do you already have two households you are trying to combine? Ask that they donate to a couple of your favorite organizations in place of a gift.
Or
ask for savings bonds. They can be cashed in when your things wear out.
