Frugal Weddings 101

Your checklist could be this simple. Add reception food, flowers, and you have a wedding.

What's in a dress? A wedding dress only needs to be white. Tip: SHOP for white dresses at PROM! Right after PROM season has ended white dresses are marked down. Worried they will sell out? Get the white PROM dresses during the season! A PROM dress is still cheaper than a wedding dress. No kidding!

A venue? Check your local State Parks or the U.S. National Park Service. Many have buildings in beautiful settings for small fees. Look under fees for what's rental-able. Want to be more frugal? Does a family member or friend have an awesome house? Ask! Use it!

Cheap Wedding Food? Now don't laugh! KFC! KFC Caters!! Really!! I told you not to laugh. How many weddings have you been to that served chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a biscuit?? Sounds yummy! Bet that wedding didn't use 11 Herbs & Spices. You simply unload the yummies in to pretty serving dishes and no one will know. Does your Aunt, Sister, Grandma, Mom have some pretty serving dishes? Well ask! Involve the entire family.
(Many of your favorite restaurants cater or offer food in party bulk...call around or go to their websites. Another favorite, depending on where you live, is Boston Market.)

Flowers? Go silk! Do-it yourself and craft stores are wonderful! Have to have fresh? Pick your favorite fresh flower and simply carry that single flower. Who says you have to have a bouquet? It's your wedding.

This example is a single sunflower, some greenery, tissue paper or netting/tulle, and a pretty ribbon to tie it all together. (before wrapping the tissue paper and ribbon around it, it would be wise to tie the sunflower and greenery together, then wrap it.) Any large single flower will do.

Have some growing in your yard? Use those! Just make sure you cut them the day before, no sooner. Put it in water and stick it in the fridge. NOT the freezer!!! Freezers kill flowers! Seriously, they turn brown!