For those planning their wedding, some things may seem out of their financial reach. Most modern weddings have become extravagant and costly, but they don’t have to be. There are a number of ways an engaged couple can save some coins whilst planning their dream wedding. Here are some tips to reduce your wedding budget:
Turn to technology:
Cut costs by sending out digital wedding invites and having guests RSVP online. Simply find a great digital artist to design your online invite (or design it yourself using apps like Canva) and set up a link to a website, Google Drive document, app or a phone number guests can use to RSVP.
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Think local:
Of course, dedicated wedding venues are popular for a reason. However, there are a variety of other locations that can work just as well for a fraction of the price. Consider having your wedding reception at country clubs, community halls, parks, restaurants, galleries or even a family member or friend’s property.
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Say yes to the affordable dress:
A large chunk of one’s wedding budget often goes towards the dress. Spend your money wisely by searching for sample sales, repurposing a family member’s dress, picking something off-the-rack or even thrifting a wedding dress. Remember that any dress can be good as new with some custom-additions. Think of it as your ‘something old’!
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Get a personal officiant:
Have a friend or family member become ordained online so that they can marry you and your partner, saving you money and giving your wedding a personal touch.
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DIY the day away:
There are so many simple DIY’s that will save you money and personalise your wedding. Use thrift shopped mirrors, chalkboards or window panes to create one big wedding program. Besides being cost-effective, it’s also better for the environment to not print out individual programs.
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Go out-of-season:
Off-peak dates can get you your dream venue at a cheaper price. As most weddings are held on Saturdays, consider having your wedding on a Friday or Sunday to cut venue and food/drink costs.
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Mix-and-match:
Use more affordable flowers as decoration. Mismatched, smaller centerpieces are cost-effective and cute. You can also add bulk and dimension to your bouquets by using foliage.
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Give power to your flowers:
Flowers are expensive. Make sure they work double-duty by reusing them throughout the day. Consider reusing bridesmaids bouquets after the ceremony to create one large centerpiece or add them to table decor.
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Strategically plan out your Big Day:
We get, it, sometimes things can run overtime during your wedding. However, photographers and musicians will charge extra if they have to stay longer than originally agreed, or wait around unnecessarily. Ensure you stick to a swift schedule between your ceremony and reception to avoid paying more than you bargained for.
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Make your wedding family style:
Shareable family-style meals are more cost-effective and interactive than 3-course sit-down meals. Consider designing a shareable menu filled with fan favourites that will cater to every diet.
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Be wise with your wedding favours:
Wedding favours don’t have to be extravagant. Something small and travel-friendly is ideal. Think mini-wine bottles, handmade soaps, individual succulents or tiny jars of your favourite sweets. You can also offer shareable favours for couples, such as a bottle of wine, to cut costs. You can also read: Best wedding planning APP’s and tools
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Image: Unsplash
The 1950s were a wild time. The Cold war was escalating, Elvis and his pelvis were gyrating to the amazement of adoring fans and television had not even…
It’s what’s underneath that counts, especially on your big day. Lingerie and nightwear will play a bigger role in your big day than you might imagine, so we’ve put together the essential guide to choosing your wedding lingerie.
Your dress will pretty much determine which bridal lingerie you choose and it has to merge seamlessly with the fabric and style of your dress. Your wedding lingerie should flatter your figure, shouldn’t be visible and make your dress hang on your body as flawlessly as possible.
Seamless lingerie is always a winner. If your dress or pants are fitted through the hips and thighs, you’ll need to be a bit more careful with your selection to avoid the dreaded visible panty line. A seamless thong is always the safest bet because it hugs your body and is made to be virtually undetectable under clothing. It’s also important to consider the fabric – clingy materials like silk will show every single bow, seam, embroidery detail, and buckle, so be sure to look for super simple lingerie with minimal detailing. The hue of your lingerie is also very important – nude and beige are often the most practical hues for bridal lingerie because they’re least likely to show through under a white or ivory outfit.
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If it’s really important to you to have a smooth, sculpted silhouette on your wedding day, you may want to look into shapewear. From high-waisted panties to bodysuits and slips, there are so many different kinds of pieces to choose from. Also, ensure that the shapewear you choose is comfortable. After all, you’ll be wearing it for hours at a time, and you should be able to breathe and move comfortably throughout the ceremony and reception so that you can fully enjoy the experience.
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Matching robes or sleepwear can make for amazing pre-wedding pictures and would be a nice little gift for your bridesmaids. Have them personalised to serve as a beautiful reminder for both you and your bridesmaids.
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Another important factor to consider is the straps (or lack thereof). If your wedding dress has sleeves and a simple neckline you’ll have a lot more options to choose from. If your dress has no straps, you might want to look into a strapless bra or low line corset which suits the neckline of your dress and provides adequate support.
Backless and low-back dresses and jumpsuits also pose some style challenges. Try a backless or low-back bra or bustier, or if you’re comfortable going bra-less, consider some nipple covers, pasties, or adhesive cups. Dresses with plunging necklines work better with an adjustable multi-way bra.
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The lingerie you choose for your wedding outfit may not be the sexiest or most exciting styles, so do take the time to slip into something extra special for the wedding night. Maybe try something like a seductive suspender set, a sensual bodysuit or romantic chemises to look and feel your best on your wedding night.
By Larissa Vermeulen
Feature image: Unsplash
Wedding receptions are the time to celebrate and rejoice the new marriage. They usually consist of food, tearful speeches, fun and dancing. When it comes to the dance…
Bow ties are a classic option that will add the finishing touch to your wedding day outfit. As dashing as they are, the sophisticated embellishment is a bit tricky to pull off. If you’re unsure and want to pull off the tasteful look yourself, here’s how to tie a bow tie on your wedding day, or any other day you want to look extra dapper:
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Step by step
Choose a great bow tie
Black is a classic colour to choose but if your wedding vibe allows for it, consider opting for a funky colour, pattern or material.
Sizing
To ensure you get that dashing and sophisticated look, adjust the bow tie according to your neck size. Ask a sales assistant to measure your neck when purchasing a bow tie. There should be an adjustable slider or a hook and holes that will allow you to make the bow tie bigger or smaller.
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How to tie
The most popular choice is the butterfly bow tie.
First place your bow tie around your neck facing up. Make sure that the right side is shorter than the left. Your left end is A and the right end is B.
Move A over to the right. It will be across from B. It should form an X shape.
Move A under B and bring it up through the neck loop.
You can now fold B towards the right and finally to the left, which will then create the bow shape.
The A side can now move straight down over the middle section (the bow shape)
A can be folded towards the chest.
Pinch the fold.
You need to push A through the loop behind B.
Finally, pull on the folded parts which will tighten it. Adjust the bow tie to be balanced on both sides.
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Wedding dresses are one of the most spoken about elements of any wedding. After having such a big role in your big day, preserving the dress may be…
Bridal capes are a great option for brides that are looking for a little something extra and for those that are looking to break away from the norm. Bridal capes are elegant and very stylish plus they’re trending! Gain some inspiration from these tasteful bridal capes.
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As you can see bridal capes can come in various styles, lengths and materials. It’s your day to shine, so choose to embellish your bridal look with a fashion forward cape.
Feature image: Unsplash