CONGRATULATIONS! You’re engaged! Now, while we’re all thrilled that he finally decided to put a ring on it, a wedding can be a spendy affair especially given the ongoing economic crisis. While you’re no doubt floating up above in the clouds of wedding bliss, the prices of flowers, wedding cakes, wedding venues and food are right up there with you, sadly dampening the moods of every newly-engaged couple in Sri Lanka! But what if I tell all you Bride-to-be’s that a Vogue article worthy wedding is possible, even if it is on a budget? Sounds amazing doesn’t it?
Wedding Warehouse has rounded up the top 6 ways we can throw together a wedding of the century, ON A BUDGET
#1 Limit the size of your guest list
While ‘Big, Fat Sri Lankan Weddings’ are the norm in the nation and although there are positives to both big and small weddings, remember, we are on a budget. A smaller guest list means a lower cost wedding. There’ll be less spent on the venue, catering, table settings and invitations. So instead of going for a mile long guest list that includes your sister-in-law’s, best friend’s, brother’s, girlfriend’s sister, host a modest, intimate function to celebrate your love at which you can kick back, relax and spend some quality time with your closest friends and family.
#2 Get the bakers of the family involved
We all have that one aunt, or sister, or cousin who can whip up a rich, delicious, gooey, chocolate cake like no one’s business. Their cupcakes probably make the gourmet chefs of the country weep in envy and guess what? We’re getting them involved in wedding preparation 😉
Instead of a 6-tiered, royal-wedding style cake, opt for an elegant cupcake tower made by your favorite family baker Many people love to help out in this way, so pick up the phone and reach out to all your foodie friends!
#3 It’s Time to DIY it: Wedding Decoration Edition
Flowers in a mason jar? Twinkly lights in a mason jar? Mason Jars. MASON JARS. MASON. JARS.
Just got engaged yesterday? It’s time to start rescuing peanut butter jars, jam jars and pasta sauce bottles because guess what? They’re now officially part of wedding…well wedding decorations. Once you’ve got your jars saved up, all you got to do its wrap them up in some twine and lace, add some flowers or twinkly lights to make it all look magical and TA-DA, you’ve got an elegant table centerpiece right there
#4 Romantic lighting with ‘powercut candles’? Hell yes!
Powercuts have become the daily norm for us Sri Lankans, sigh. But nope! nothings going to dampen our wedding bliss. Am I right or am I right?
Want to add some magic to your special day? Recreate the iconic Tangled, Festival of Lights moment where Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder stared dreamily into each other’s eyes while a million, billion, zillion floating lanterns surrounded them? *sheds tear. Yes? Well, then I guess we’re going candle shopping.
Stock up on cheap candles that you can add to your table centerpieces, bridal throne and pathway to turn a dull venue into a magical, Disney worthy, candle-lit night of romance, dancing and love
#5 Wedding favors: Cheap but delicious
While wedding favors are great, they’re once again another item that add to the cost of hosting a wedding. But what if I tell you that I’ve got some wedding favor options that are as sweet on your wallet as they are on the taste buds? Sounds great doesn’t it?
Homemade cookies, homemade jam, popcorn in mason jars and pretty candy – all great wedding favor options that cost a whole lot less but still look great to look at and will no doubt make your guests very happy
#6 Explore cost friendly wedding stationary options
Now, lets be honest. All of us here have a Pinterest board dedicated to our dream wedding (probably one we created before the groom even entered the picture). Drool worthy pictures of couture wedding gowns, gourmet wedding cakes, fancy floral arrangements, hairstyles, shoes and…WEDDING INVITATIONS. Online stationary stores like Etsy have thousands of wedding invitation options pretty enough to make any bridezilla drool but with the dollar rate shooting for the stars on a daily basis, the prices are just too high to handle.
Is that going to be a problem though? Not at all! You’re dream wedding invitation is still possible
Explore some local options. There are several online wedding stationary stores that do personalized wedding invitations, gift tags, wedding favor packages, name cards and a lot more…like Wedding Warehouse for example 😉 (I apologize for the shameless self-promotion).
Reach out to online stores and you’re bound to come across one that fits your budget and style
Happy wedding planning to all!
