Comments on: How to Make a Wedding Program

on 5/22/2007 If you're a little informal, a fun thing to add to a program is a comic strip showing how you met. Even if you are the worst artist and draw stick figures, people will still think it's cute. It will make a great keepsake, as well as telling all your guests how your lives together began.

on 5/22/2007 Go to different bargain stores. Don't buy spur of the moment, compare prices. We are also having an outdoor wedding with white and pink. I bought some floating candles already in vases pre decorated with white and pink flowers and ribbon at Value City for only $2.99 each. Those will be our center pieces. We bought a white arch at Big Lots for only $6.99, and we will decorate it with tulle and these beautiful strands of pink silky rose petals and iridescent beads that I got at Gabriel Brothers for $0.80 cents for 6 foot each. We will also use tulle and pink flowers from the dollar store (a bundle of 12 for $1.00) to decorate the chairs in place of chair covers. We are using tulle with Christmas lights to hung on the ceiling inside the tent, it gives a beautiful glow because the entire line of tulle glows. I found some beautiful pink torch candles that retailed for $20 each on clearance at Gabriel Brothers for $2.00 each, so those will go around our dance floor area outside. These are just some ideas, if you look around at different stores, you will be surprised at what you can find.

on 5/22/2007 When my daughter and her husband got married, we did anything and everything we could ourselves. Talk about great bonding time - and it was fun.

If you start stressing, take a break from that item on your list. The estimate by a bridal magazine publisher on my daughter's wedding was $20,000. Only a little under $6,000 was spent and their wedding got a featured wedding article in the magazine. Talk about a keepsake! One of the best things of all was my son-in-law's involvement and the time her Dad and I got to spend with him and our daughter! eBay is great - so is "The Knot" (excellent printable wedding planner) - at least look at any clearance items you find. You'll be surprised how things can be changed or dressed up!

Also, pew bows are expensive - try making them yourself. It's really easy and you get exactly what you want.

Happy wedding planning!

on 5/22/2007 I have a wedding budget of $3500! But through the help of my mother, friends, eBay, and my computer, I am having a beautiful semi-formal wedding. I have purchased many items from eBay for literally pennies on the dollar; a bustier for $25 including shipping! Guest book, pen and garter set from Davids bridal, retail $65 dollars, I bought for $15! My mother rounded up help from the church and a formal tea reception will only cost $225! That includes a chocolate fountain! The church members are doing the wedding cake at cost. Vocalist; price of music. Photography; my new uncle is doing it for free. Videography: uncle for the price of a camcorder. 100 wedding invitations, $25 plus printer ink cost (they are more beautiful than what I could afford at professional printers).
A word of advise - do only the projects you can do, and definitely do the ones you have a specific idea for, otherwise you'll end up stressed because things didn't turn out the way you wanted.

on 5/22/2007 I, too, have saved thousands through eBay and got my inspiration for my wedding (coming up) from my favorite colors (midnight blue and silver)! I did a Google search and located one other venue that did my exact theme and borrowed their ideas and used them to locate the exact same items for a fraction of the cost through eBay! If you are of another nationality, use those to your benefit! Such dramatic effects! I am Persian and Assyrian, my fiancé is French and Polish, so we have combined those and have a huge feast line up, not to mention belly dancers and themed programs (my programs will designed with Persian carpets in mind)! Negotiate, negotiate! By simply letting a limousine company know I thought their bid was too high to transport out of town guests to and from their hotels, the ceremony and reception, he lowered it by $550! Live your fantasies! Don't be afraid to ask! My belly dancers (who have done the most famous actors and actresses weddings) are quite inexpensive ($800 for 6 dances). All I had to do was ask and inform them of the finances already expended and what I can and cannot spare!

Also, if you are planning on paying for your bridesmaids' dresses and jewelry, go online. Try online jewelry shops, and ask the company executives for wholesale or group discounts! They want your business, trust me!