The Broke-Ass Bride

Bad-Ass Tables for Broke-Ass Budgets

This is a repost of a guest blog I did for my boo Sasha at Sparkliatti last month… but in case any of you missed it, here it is again!  Enjoy!

I’m completely in love with creative and original ideas that won’t drain your budget! When Sasha asked me to bring some of my budget decor savviness to her blog, I thought, let’s get to the heart of the matter… or at least of the room: The Table.

Table decor can either be unique and memorable or fade into the background of a wedding – but whether you’re dropping $1 or $100 on it, why waste a chance to surprise and delight your guests with fun and distinctive design?  I struggled for days to find inexpensive yet dynamic ways to spruce up our tables without busting our budget, and today I’m sharing my top 5 ways to save on money but stay rich on impact.

1. Having a rustic affair but want to give your tables flair?  A large roll of kraft paper can serve as a no-muss sub for linens for much less.  Don’t forget to toss some crayons near the kids’ seats…. or everyone’s seats for that matter!  Instant interactive fun for your guests!

2. Prefer the feel of fabric? Buy a bolt of unbleached muslin or burlap fabric and use pinking shears to cut tablecloths or runners with character (and leave your sewing kit out of it)!  Use baker’s twine to tie a rock into the corners of your tablecloths to help weigh them down.

3. Craft poms are my new obsession. Fill some clear glass bowls, vases or glasses from the flea market with the colorful bunch, or hot glue them to some branches in a vase, and check centerpieces off your list for pennies!  Fill paper cones with the leftovers for a fun toss alternative to rose petals that will look whimsical and darling in photos.

4. Save the cost of vases altogether, and cut down on the number of flowers you buy. Pop the heads off some larger stems such as spider mums or orchids and scatter them along the center of the table with some smooth river rocks or seashells woven between them.

5. Bring the outdoors in for tables that add texture and visual interest. Use mosscloth for dynamic table runners or centerpiece elements.  Its a natural and inexpensive way to wow your guests, and comes in various shades of green to suit your palette.