Have to work but thought I add some tips that really saved me money.

Think about the weddings you have been to. if you don't remember what the [enter thing here] (eg. centre pieces, favours, name cards) looks like, or if you got one at all, save money on them or to really save money. eliminate them completly.

some ideas for less expensive ways.

So for centre pieces in a beach theme, you could have a strip of sprinkled sand (Free and you can put it in any shape you want) with lillies, shells and tea light candles (reject shop, $1 for 10) Low enough to talk over, and can be combined with your theme and colors. plus it would only be about $2-$10 a table depending on the lilly price.

For flowers go to the market and talk directly to the growers and do the flowers yourself. or contact the local TAFE and talk to the floristry class teacher, your wedding could be a project for one or all of the students, you pay for the flowers and they do the rest.

Name cards, It could be a feather with a piece of paper tied around the end or collect shells and get a permenant texta. This also becomes part of the table decoration. I had 1 piece of paper with everyones name who was to sit on that table, rest was up to them.

The cake can be dessert. I had a lemon tart. We got a a chocolate heart made with our names on it and just produced one of the uncut tarts with that on top and some flowers on the plate. We cut it. then out the back there were 9 more and presto, dessert.

The bridal table doesn't need decoration, just have spots for yours and the bridesmaids flowers, instant decoration.

Pull in favours where ever you can. People (women) love to help with weddings. I borrowed cars, had all my friends out with lists collecting candles of certain colours, shells leaves.

Look on e-bay especially under scrap booking. I got 100xA4 sheets of recycled paper for $18 delivered.

Hand deliver invitations to everyone you will see. It is more personal and saves on stamps..

Think outside the box, there are no rules that say you must have flowers. A friend of mine had a fan instead. Looked great and very usefull on a hot day.


so many ideas so little time...