ALT-8 Best Ways to get Married on a Budget
She started in January of 2005 to shop for items for her May 2007 wedding.At first we thought she had gone a bit overboard, bringing her "floral arrangement" projects with her. Happily tucking colored silks here and there, in vases and rectangular boxes, we soon realized that she was having the time of her life, and saving money too boot.
This year we attended one of the loveliest weddings I have ever seen.Only close friends of the bride knew her secrets, but I, being one, was amazed at her creativity, ingenuity, her endless energy, excitement and optimism, that finally paid off, a year and a half after the "big proposal."
Her dress was phenomenal. You would have thought it was tailored made, from one of the finest boutiques in town- but no, it was hand-made, by a dear relative, who adored dress-making and helped her do the entire gown for a tiny fraction of the cost of an expensive Bridal Shop.
Her shoes were gorgeous, they perfectly matched the dress. Shhh! No-one could have guessed they came-not from an up-scale retail store, but from a second-hand store, brand new, and with the tags still on them!
Now I know that part of the success of her "big day" was the fact that she was endlessly patient, dedicated, and had nerves of steel. She knew what she wanted, and knew what she could afford to pay for each item, down to the last grain of rice. (It came in a big box labeled 'generic'.) She also is one of the most resourceful you will ever meet, and one of the most "miserly". (I say this in the most loving and respectful manner.)What I learned from her is that if you know all of the "better" thrift stores, and you are willing to make weekly (and even bi-weekly) trips to see if they have "anything new in" you can eventually find almost everything you will ever need, at a small percentage of what you would pay else where.
The one thing she was adamant about was her dress. She wanted it to be brand new, and she wanted it to be perfect.She talked her Aunt into helping her sew it, and the two of them were able to create a one of a kind, masterpiece, princess Diana would have been proud to wear.
She bought silk flowers in dime and dollar stores. She bought the vases and the candelabras and the centerpieces here and there, and while some of us were skeptical, she pulled off a beautiful, elegant bit of decorating genius with a bit of this and a bit of that.
Now remember it didn't happen overnight.The word "patience" is important if you want to try to imitate her style.
-Start planning early, and stop shopping right away.-Keep your eyes open for great deals, that you cannot pass up.-If you aren't sure it's exactly what you want, and being offered at a price you can't beat, don't buy it. Wait it out. Something better will come along.-Start talking. Tell everyone you encounter what you are looking for, including friends, relatives, neighbors, strangers, and thrift store workers/owners. Learn to use this phrase "I am looking for a ....., in this color, with these ..... or if it's ..... I might consider it. This is my phone number, could you call me if you if anything comes in?"-Garage sales are great places to find hidden treasures as well. Vases, flowers, candles you name it, you might even find items like cake toppers, cake cutting sets, table decorations, party favors or trinkets and mementos. You may also run into someone who knows someone who does something for cheap- like cakes, or pictures, or bands or singers.
The one thing about my friend was her attitude. She loved every minute that she spent planning her wedding, shopping for items, working on her dress and arranging the flowers. She loved it so much that we are afraid she might leave her new hubby just so she can find a new one, and do it all over again!
