How to Plan a Tropical Themed Wedding on a Budget

If you'd like to have a Hawaiian wedding, but live in Akron, Ohio, or Buffalo, New York, there are still ways to get a tropical feel anywhere, and without breaking the bank.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Paper Flower Lei's
• Bulk seashells
• Bright Multi-Colored
• Plastic Tablecloths
• Goldfish
• Fish Bowls
• Streamers
• Live Flowers for Cake Decorating
• MP3's

1. Leis, Shells and Goldfish Shop at local discount stores.
   
   You can create tropical table settings by purchasing brightly colored plastic tablecloths, bulk sea-shells, paper flower leis, fish bowls filled with floating candles or even live goldfish at your local discount center.
2. Browse high end bridal stores.
   Even though you don't intend to shop there, use them as a resource. These stores are filled with a plethora of creative ideas. Take digital photos of ideas you like, then look for similar items at discount store to achieve the same feel for less than half the cost.
   
   You can also find discount party store items in bulk on line. Always search for coupon codes before making an on-line purchase.
   
   Use a search engine and enter the name of the store where you are shopping. Add the plus sign "+" and the words "coupon code".
   
   If there are on-line coupons for free shipping, or discounts - they will pop up and you can use the codes to get money off before making your purchase.
3. Tropical Cake decorated with live flowers Skip a formal caterer.
   
   Do you know someone who makes the world's best kabob's? Ask them to make 100 of them for you for a wedding gift.
   
   Is there someone at your church who makes the most wonderful potato salad at the monthly potluck? Ask if they'd be willing to make a big batch if you buy the food.
   
   Don't be shy about telling people helping you plan what your wedding budget is, that way they won't suggest things out of your price range.
   
   Wedding cakes are another major expense.
   
   Contact a local Pastry School for a list of students. Pastry School Students are learning to make wedding cakes, and may be willing to make one less expensively than the town's most famous bakery.
   
   Request a small sample cake, and if it tastes wonderful, trust them with the job. Afterwards, remember to give them a good reference
   
   If you're adventurous, take a cake decorating class at a local cooking school and bake and decorate your own cake.
4. Who Needs a Tux? Tuxedos are overrated.
   
   Renting or purchasing formal wear is another costly aspect of wedding planning. Why not go against tradition at your tropical wedding and wear Hawaiian clothing? This is a much more economical option, and brightly colored Hawaiian florals are infinitely more fun, as well.
5. Music and Photography- keep it simple.
   Why pay a mediocre band hundreds of dollars when iTunes can provide you with virtually any song you desire for 99 cents?
   Make mix CD’s or fill up your iPod. Find a portable sound system with a docking station.
   Ask a wedding party member to change CD's or MP3's so the music doesn’t stop. Label CD's by theme, Slow Dance, Fast Dance, Parent's Dance, etc.
   
   If you know someone who’s trying to start a DJ business, ask them to do your wedding and allow them to hand our business cards to guests.
   
   As to saving money on a photographer, purchase disposable cameras at your local warehouse club and place one on each table at your reception. Ask your guests to take photos and promise them all digital copies.
   You will save money if you tell the photographer you only need him for the ceremony.
6. Colorful Reception Room Hiring a professional wedding planner is a luxury many couples cannot afford, but you can get help putting all the details of your wedding together at little or no cost.
   
   Ask the church where you plan to marry if they have someone on staff who coordinates weddings.
   
   If not, ask the most organized person you know to help you make a check list and time-line for your wedding.
   
   Create a spreadsheet of the data and check things off as you go.
   
   Assign parts of your wedding to various wedding party members.
   
   Plan monthly meetings to get updates and check progress.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan ahead and buy a few things each month instead of trying to buy everything at once.
• Take digital shots at other weddings that you may want to incorporate into your own event.
• If you're unable to find matching tropical bridesmaid dresses, let everyone pick their own in a certain color scheme or basic pattern.
• Don't choose more bridesmaids and groomsmen than you can afford to outfit.
• Include Israel Kamakawiwo Ole's version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow at your tropical wedding reception.
• Buy enough paper flower leis for all your guests and have ushers place one on each guest as they enter your reception with a big ALOHA!
• Don't let aggressive sales people or bossy family members talk you into things you really can't afford.
• Don't spend money on an open bar, buy just enough champagne for a toast, liquor is expensive and evaporates quickly.
• Don't forget about the kids in the wedding party, make sure there is something for them to do/eat at the reception.