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Creative Bridal Bouquets that Don’t Cost a Fortune

The wedding gown is usually the main event of any wedding. But the perfect gown needs the perfect accessory – just the right bridal bouquet. It completes the image of the bride and will be admired forever in the wedding photographs.

Some bridal bouquets can be very expensive. Even if your bouquet does double-duty as a centerpiece during the reception, it’s just not worth spending a lot of money on when you consider all your other wedding expenses. Here are some suggestions for creative bridal bouquets that don’t cost the earth.

Shop for Discounts. Your local flower shops aren’t the only place to look for bridal bouquets. Think creatively and look online for a floral supplier that will deliver your bouquet to you. You can also shop for flowers at Costco or at a farmer’s market. These places sell beautiful arrangements of flowers that you can put together into a bouquet.

Fresh Flowers. Instead of going to a floral store and paying them create a bouquet for you, consider creating your own hand-tied bouquet with flowers from the garden. To turn fresh cut flowers into a bouquet, wrap the stems together with an elastic band and then cover them with a broad ribbon and bow. You can even grow your own bridal bouquet by planting your favorite flowers well ahead of time and then cutting them for the big day.

Faux-flower Bouquet. Fresh flowers can be pretty pricey. You can keep the cost of your bouquet down by taking another creative approach and using faux flowers instead. Silk flowers are one way you could go, and are easy to find at a hobby or craft store. You could also consider another type of floral bouquet. How about a bouquet made of ribbon flowers, cookies or candy?

Non-floral Bouquet. Perhaps you don’t need to carry flowers at all. Some unique plants and greenery can be put together to make a creative and attractive bridal bouquet. Some examples of plants that would work well are ferns, pussy willows and ivy. For a fall wedding, you could carry a bouquet of colourful fall leaves.

No Bouquet. It may be that you would prefer to not carry a bridal bouquet at all. Instead of flowers, you might choose to carry a meaningful object down the aisle with you. A precious family heirloom might be the perfect accessory for your gown. For an evening wedding, a lit candle; for a Catholic wedding, a jewelled rosary; or at a beach wedding, you could carry a beautiful shell. Some brides may even elect to carry nothing at all and wear a pair of beautiful gloves or a muff instead.

The bridal bouquet is an important part of your day, but you don’t need to spend a lot of money to create the look you want.

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Great Wedding Favors on a Budget

When you’re planning your wedding, one of the things you’ll want to remember to budget for are the wedding favors. These are the souvenirs that your guests will take home from your wedding as a thank you for participating in your special day. So, this is not an area where you want to scrimp. You hope that your guests will enjoy your gift to them, and see it as a token of your appreciation. However, you don’t want to blow your budget on buying wedding favors either. Here are some ideas for great wedding favors on a budget.

Bulk gifts. Items like candy and potpourri can make lovely wedding favors. You can buy them pre-packaged from bridal shops, but it is smarter to buy them in bulk and package them yourself. Instead of shopping at an expensive wedding store, visit a grocery or hobby shop for discount pricing. To create your own gift wrapped packages, wrap bundles of the bulk item in tulle and tie with a ribbon.

Make homemade treats. For a personal touch, make homemade treats to give to your guests. Special cookies are always welcome. If you make homemade candy, that can also be a nice gift. When you wrap them up, add a handwritten note thanking your guests for sharing your day with you. It will be an extra special touch that will make your favour all the more meaningful.

Candles and votives. Candles and votives can be beautiful reminders of your wedding day. Look for candles in the same colors as your wedding decorations. Almost everyone enjoys candles so it is a practical gift as well. These are also very affordable when purchased at discount or bulk stores.

Bubbles. For a fun twist and lots of laughs, give each guest a small bottle of bubbles as a thank you. Tie a note with the date of your wedding around the neck of the bottle. These will provide entertainment during the reception too, as most guests won’t wait until they get home to blow their bubbles.

Make Music. Another idea is to burn a CD of music to commemorate your special day and give a copy to each guest. Be sure to follow copyright laws. Whenever they play your CD, your guests will think of you.

Flowers and Plants. If you’re having a spring or summer wedding, consider giving out packets of seeds as a wedding favor. These will be a long-lasting fragrant reminder of your nuptials. Alternatively, you can give out tiny potted plants for a spring garden. These are very inexpensive, and if you buy in bulk, you may be able to get further discounts.

Scented soaps. These are another item you might want to consider giving out as a favor. They have an attractive scent, and often come in pretty shapes and wrappings. They are another practical gift that is pretty to look at as well.

There are many options for buying great wedding favors on a budget. When you use your creativity for buying thoughtful gifts for your guests, they will be appreciated all the more.

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