Weddings are expensive. We don’t really need to say it, but if you were ever unsure, then we’ll happily remind you. That being said, these ideas will hopefully help make that dent in your bank account a little less severe.
1 Send an email
Many cost-effective wedding ideas can also be eco-friendly, including the very first task on your list. Emailing your invites doesn’t only save heaps of paper; it saves you spending money on fancy stationery. Of course, you might want a pretty design on your invites, and a professional designer would be your best bet. While this will cost a little extra, by foregoing printing and mailing charges, you’re bound to save a pretty penny or two.
2 Pick the right venue
Always dreamt of a farm wedding or a ceremony on a secluded beach? Feel like booking out an entire hotel for the weekend? Think again, kiddo! Your venue may be important but it’s not worth emptying your entire life savings for. Draw up a list of places where you’d like to get hitched then find out which ones can accommodate the number of guests you intend to invite as well as the costs involved (this includes ceremony and reception areas, catering, accommodation and the use of any other facilities in offer). You can then make your final decision based on what you can afford. Alternatively, draw some inspiration from Father of the Bride and get married at home though you’ll need to check with mum and dad first.
3 Be selective with your guest list
This is a tricky one. You don’t want to offend any of your friends or loved ones but limiting the number of guests at your wedding is, among many things, pretty cost-effective. It means less accommodation and catering costs as well as a smaller venue for the big day (and we know of a few). It also means less spending on other, smaller aspects of the wedding such as invitations (if you’ve decided against email), wedding favours and stationery. In addition, limiting the number people at your wedding increases your chances of saying a quick ‘hello’ to everyone during the reception.
4 Try a second-hand dress
The first line of the old rhyme should be changed to ‘Something old instead of new’. And ‘something borrowed’ is the way to go as well. Don’t blow a huge chunk of money on a customised dress you’re only going to wear once. Seek out a well-made stylish dress at a sale or second-hand store, or hire one instead. You may come across a stunning vintage garment that sets the tone for your wedding and leaves you looking and feeling like a star from a bygone era. You can also have your bridesmaids save a few pennies by going this route.
5 Use natural, recyclable and DIY décor
Another environmentally friendly idea that’s also cost-effective is to use natural and recyclable materials as wedding decorations. Think glass bottles, tin cans for flowers and candles, and objects such as stones or pinecones as napkin weights. You can also make your own decorations from a variety of materials, such as these.
Want more info on handling the finances for your big day? We’ve got you covered!
Photography Archives, pexels.com, unsplash.com, pixabay.com
From beach wedding to elegant affair, the plethora of themes brides choose for their big day is often mind-boggling. Here, we break down looks for you – and…
Weddings cost a great deal. From money and time to energy and emotions, you’ll be spending more than you thought when he popped the question. But there are certain ways you can turn your nuptials into a less costly affair, specifically in environmental terms. Cut down your financial expenditure and your carbon footprint, as well as avoid unnecessary waste, by taking these five eco-friendly ideas into consideration.
1 Electronic invites
Wedding invitation are always special. They’re usually fancy and detailed, and mark the start of a new chapter in the happy couple’s lives. That being said, creating, ordering and sending them costs time, effort and a great deal of paper. And while many might say using recycled paper for your invites is a good way to help the environment, we say there’s an even better one – email! It gets the job done quickly and ensures that nothing’s been lost in the mail. Plus, designing your invitations digitally is relatively simple nowadays so there’s absolutely no reason to use a shred of paper when telling your loved ones to ‘SAVE THE DATE’.
2 Alternative lighting
There are so many ways of adding light to your wedding without using too much energy. You can hold the event outdoors during the daytime, as long as you’ve ensured the weather will be fine. Or if your reception will continue well into the night, try some eco-friendly lighting options (there really is a wide range of them). Candles create a romantic ambience, of course, but can be extinguished quickly. The solution? Rechargeable candles or lanterns that use batteries or solar power. You’ll be able to keep these outside during the ceremony then bring them into the reception venue later on. If you’re not too big on candles or a plethora of lamps, power-saving light bulbs are always a popular and energy-efficient alternative to ordinary lighting.
3 Uncooked, locally sourced, and vegan and vegetarian food options
Offering your guests a buffet of uncooked foodstuffs is a great means of being eco-friendly and catering to those on healthy and organic diets. If yours is a summer wedding, there are a few options to choose from – think cured meats, a variety of salads, fruit and cheese boards, and even bread and crackers served with spreads and preserves. You can also source your food from local vendors, which lessens the amount of transportation emissions, while serving up only vegan or vegetarian dishes is a commendable decision and won’t limit you in terms of food (in spite of what some snarky commentators might say).
4 Sustainable décor and wedding favours
People tend to overuse wedding decorations that ultimately go to waste after the big day (think of those cut flowers and paper and plastic lanterns your cousin has stored in her garage – and she got married nearly three years ago!). So while place cards might be unavoidable, you can still choose materials that last and are reusable. Cloth napkins don’t need to be thrown away after the first use and stones make elegant, versatile and practical additions to any setting. You can even place a colourful pebble on each napkin to keep it put then tie or stick a place card on the top. When it comes to flowers, orchids are a beautiful choice and endure if maintained properly. Succulents work well too and can also double as wedding favours. On that note, favours made from durable materials such as wood, cork, stoneware and glass are far more eco-friendly than those made of paper or plastic.
5 Donations and recycling
You’ll be left with a lot to clean up at the end of your wedding but a vast majority of it can be put to good use. If you foresee leftover food, make a plan early on to donate it to a food bank or any other organisation. If you’ve used cut flowers as decorations, you can also donate these. As for all those disposable items, like paper napkins, designate a space for each type to be thrown away and recycle those made of glass, tin and hard plastic. What’s more, bottles and cans may be reused on other occasions. In fact, if you’ve already got items like these (wine bottles, jars and tins), use them at the wedding as candleholders, flower vases or storage for wedding favours.
Photography pixabay.com, pexels.com, Archives
Not sure how your flower girl will fit in with the rest of your retinue? We’ve rounded up some of 2017’s biggest bridal trends to help you dress…
Getting the perfect thank-you gift for your wedding guest can be tricky. You want something that shows your appreciation but gifting a lot of people can end up being very costly. The best solution? Personalised DIY gifts that you can prepare months in advance!
1 Infused oil
Infuse cooking oil (olive oil is a favourite) with chillies or your favourite herbs for a yummy, flavourful salad dressing or base.
2 Spice mix
Mix various spices and place it in a jar to create your own flavoured rub or spice mixture that goes with your wedding’s theme.
3 Plant a tree
Give your guests the gift of nature with your favourite tree or plant seeds. This is a great way of helping the environment while showering your guests with a gift they can cherish.
4 Personalised fortune cookies
Buy ready-made fortune cookies from your closest Chinese wholesaler and fill it with personalised messages for your guests.
5 Sugar scrub
Add colouring and scented oils like peppermint to sugar. Allow it to soak and dry, then place it in a jar for an amazing sugar body scrub that tastes delicious too.
6 Jam jar
Preserve your favourite fruits to create a tasty jam – your guests will remember you with every bite.
Text Sharne Cupido
Photography Pinterest, Olia Gozha/Unsplashed, Kristina Balic/Unsplashed
Want maximum style for minimal effort? Try your hand at our quick styling tricks for hairstyles that work as hard as you play. 1 The fresh princess Create…
There’s nothing like a few vintage touches to complete your groomsmen’s look. With some attention to detail and few suave styles, they’ll look like the true and very dapper gentlemen they are. Here are five ways to pull off the look.
1 Waistcoats, suspenders and rolled up sleeves
Waistcoats, either as part of a three-piece suit or as an alternative to a jacket for a casual wedding, waistcoats add a great extra touch. As with the blazer or trousers, you can choose to match your suit or opt for a contrasting fabric, colour or pattern. Pair with a set of suspenders and rolled up sleeves for a more casual wedding, or with a great blazer for something more formal.
2 Old-school fabrics
Yes, we’re talking about velvet and tweed. This is a statement look not for everyone, but tweeds, houndstooth and plaid are fun and stylish. Channel your inner countryman by tweeding it up, or transport to centuries past by donning elegant velvet.
3 Pocket watches
There are few accessories for men (in comparison to women), but a pocket watch is just so charming and… vintage. What a great addition to a look, and will keep things running on time too – that’s if it still works.
4 Bow ties
Whether vintage themed or not, the bow tie is the epitome of chic for any gent. Fashionable since the 18th century, choose a fabric with a print, tweed or even sequinned for a smart look with a bit of fun.
5 Hats
Don the fedora, bowler or boater hat for a seriously smart look. It finishes the look off with stylish ease, and offers gents something a little different.
Photography Courtesy images