Posts in the 'Our Wedding' Category
February 16th, 2010 by The Broke-Ass Bride
Its time for another exciting installment of Ask a Broke-Ass! (insert kitschy theme music here) And away we goooooo……
My partner and I are both college students so we are trying to stay as cheap as possible. Plus I don’t see the point in wasting all that paper…Do you think it’s inappropriate to send out postcard wedding invites?
Sure, why not? Sure, your Aunt Edna may scoff at it, but guess what? IT AIN’T HER WEDDING – its yours! You can do what you like 
I knew a couple who sent adorable postcard invites! They did their own version of the ipod ads with their silhouettes and white headphone cords on the front, and the back was set up like an iPhone screen with the relevant info and their wedding website address. I loved it!
How did you develop your writing style and blog sense?
I was born with it, yo! *wink*
I basically write like I talk, but smarter and funnier (I hope). And ballsier. I write my best self, the one I’m sometimes shy to share in person (but I’m working on it!). Does that make sense? Its all authentically me, though. All Dana, all the time
I developed my blog sense by drinking in as much bloggy goodness as possible. I saw what others did and I learned from it. From the successes and failures I see in other blogs. And I still am doing it, I never stop learning, plotting, revising, etc. Its a lot of trial and error. Lots of firing bullets with one hand over my eyes. Sometimes I fail, and try again. Sometimes I win! (I like winning).
If you’re trying to find your own voice, I have two pieces of advice:
1. Be yourself. Authentically, genuinely you. No one does it better
2. Write write and write some more. The more you do, the more you’ll find your voice and the courage to let it sing loud and proud!
What was your favorite wedding accessory?
My fly-ass husband, yo!
Ok, I know that’s not what you were looking for, but its the truth
I loved my dress more than words can tell. But I also loved my headpiece and earrings, my shrug, my bouquet and my shoes a whole lot. BUT the wifey pimp cup? That one was balls out awesome.
In conclusion, while everything I wore made my heart sing, my husband was the best accessory of all.
How do you slow down and find balance on days that feel just completely overwhelming? What do you do to cope and take control again?
GREAT question! And one that I still haven’t perfected the answer to… yet.
When I am completely overwhelmed and I feel like I’m drowning, the following things help:
1. Make a list of all there is to do
2. Prioritize it as much as I can
3. Do the 2 easiest things just to be able to cross them off. Even if #1 is “make a list”
Other great things that help me:
1. Take a 10 minute break and get away from my desk. Outside if possible. Even if I feel I don’t have the time to spare, just getting fresh air and a change of scenery can really help with my mindset.
2. Changing up my music. Something productive and happy can help me shift my perspective.
3. List 10 things I’m grateful for (especially good for when overwhelmed = blue)
4. Take a day off. I know a day off for a business owner is pretty different from that of a 9-5er, but just gifting myself with the time and freedom to see a movie or have girlfriend time over a manicure can really improve my mental health.
5. Exercise. Again, I never feel like I have time. But even just 20 minutes for the Shred can really clear my head and make me feel in control of myself again.
6. Ask for help. Hunter helps me so much, and I’d be lost without him. But asking for help is sometimes the last thing that occurs to me when I’m stressed! Go fig…
Hope this helps! Good luck!
What is the recipe of your most favorite healthy meal to cook at home?
Oh, man – there are so many, and yet, most of them are originals without recipes. We’re the kind of cooks who throw something together based on what’s around, usually.
But, I happen to LOVE this easy, peas-y soup. Its a snap to make, super healthy, and leaves guests wowed:
Chilled, Minted Pea Soup!
*3 cups frozen green peas
*2 cups vegetable stock
*handful of fresh mint leaves
*salt/pepper to taste
*juice of 1/2 lemon or lime (optional)
Put all the ingredients into your blender, hit GO, and let it all be pureed into a delicious delight. If you’re feeling extra fancy, strain it, but its good either way.
Garnish with a few mint leaves and a dollop of creme fraiche (if you’re extra fancy), throw a hunk of crusty bread with some olive oil on the side, and enjoy the flavor party in your mouth!
Your ability to put yourself out there is very inspiring. What is your biggest motivator?
Desperation. Seriously. Pretty simple.
I’m DESPERATE to give myself the gift of the life I’ve always dreamt of. Desperate to get out of my dayjob doldrums. Desperate to be creative for a living. To be heard. To get out of debt. To be fulfilled. To make a difference. To inspire others. TO CHANGE THE WORLD.
I can’t tolerate the alternative of always wondering “What if?”, so I use all of that desperation and turn it into motivation to take the bull by the horns and lay my balls on the table to make it happen. Life is for living!
Don’t get me wrong. Its scary as hell. I get butterflies in my stomach. I get nauseous with fear. I procrastinate. I fret. I cry. But at the end of the day, I push myself to do the scary things because that’s when change happens. I go to sleep proud, because I didn’t let the fear paralyze me. Instead, I made it work for me. I took control. Whether I win or lose the goal I’m working toward, I always win the self-respect that comes with trying as hard as I can… balls to the walls.
At first it felt like pretend. I was ACTING brave, but it felt like a mask. But over the years I’ve realized it was always in me… I just needed to exercise that muscle and welcome it in. Now I can’t see myself living any other way!
I see friends and colleagues stuck. Inert. Stagnate. And they’re miserable. But they don’t do anything. They don’t affect change because they’re too busy waiting for life to happen to them. It makes me so sad, because I’ve been there too. I just want to shake them awake and help them. But people can’t be helped unless they’re ready to help themselves. That lesson, I’m still learning.
I spent 25 years waiting for life to happen to me. I’ve always been ballsy and took risks, but only sometimes and always in soulquaking fear. In opposition, I spent many years paralyzed in self-doubt, fear, and misery… hoping for something to change. Little did I know what needed changing was my attitude! I try to look back on those times with gentle eyes, and see how going through that helped me build up what I needed to turn around…. but I also look back on that time as life lost. And that burns.
So I resolved to actively participate in the change of my life, and every day I step into and through my fear to reach that goal. Because I’m absolutely desperate to make it happen.
What do YOU want to know?
February 10th, 2010 by The Broke-Ass Bride
When we left off…. I was just arriving at the ceremony site, along with the ladies of my bridal party. We took off our shoes before ascending the stairs, as was tradition at the Shumei Center, in whose Hollywood garden we had our ceremony.
I knew the time had come, and all I wanted was to peer out the upstairs window at the guests gathering, but I was quarantined upstairs so as to avoid being spotted by Hunter. We hid out in a spare room, and waited, all a-buzz with bridal delight.
Ta-Dizzle!
Our dear friends own a company specializing in tea, accessories, and gourmet goods called Algabar (in whose former shop I worked for years) which also offers marvelous tea-inspired catering as Fete du The. As a wedding gift to us, they offered to serve a ceremony refreshment, and we loved the idea!
They served our favorite tea cocktail that they had invented, The Mrs. Palmer: a lavender-infused lemonade blended with earl grey and lavender tea, (with an option to spike with vodka), and sweetened with lavender syrup. As soon as we got upstairs, I was all… “someone get this bride a drink!” Just one… to take the edge off. Hey, I may be an actress – but standing in front of everyone without a character to hide behind, is still intimidating. And, I was about to get freaking married!
wetting my wedding whistle
Our friends served the drinks in mason jars that I BrideShared with a bride I met on the indiebride kvetch forum, at a table off to the side of the ceremony seating. The guests later gushed about how much they loved and appreciated the tasty drinks.
Then of course, thanks to my drink and the nerves, I had to pee. Now, I am posting this out of love for you readers, and because I keeps it real. But you gotta know, it probably will happen to you. And you’ll need help. That’s what your maid of honor is for. That’s what sisters are for. So, ladies and gentleman (that’s you, dad)… I give you, The Broke-Ass Bride at her very finest!
It happens to the best of us...
I just had to post this picture because MaPo took it and I love it. (and in the hopes it will help you forget the previous photo)
Feels like a fairy tale.
Headpiece and earrings by TS Tiara
Next thing I knew, Sharlene our intrepid DOC, was upstairs telling the ladies it was time to line up for the processional. I quickly rallied the troops for some last-minute wall pushups to get strong and make ourselves feel ultra bad-ass.
for last minute toning...
And it was time to go! I took a moment to be alone upstairs after the girls left, to breathe, to give myself a moment. I gave myself a “be present” pep talk and felt a HUGE smile creep across my face. I was nervous, but mostly just excited and calm and steady and ready.
I could hear the processional music beginning, and I knew that everyone was lined up downstairs, ready to walk that aisle before me. That my father was waiting to walk with me on that path. That the garden would be full of my favorite faces and most beloved friends and family. I knew at the end of that aisle stood my husband.
January 17th, 2010 by The Broke-Ass Bride
(Missed part 1? Get up to speed – we’ll wait!)
It had been a year since I first tried on my dress, an ill-fitting runway sample that still made me feel like some bridal angel from heaven. I spent hours daydreaming about it over the year, sneaking peeks at the sample in Deborah’s studio during my work-trade hours, or using it as motivation to sweat my back fat off. Putting it on was the holy grail of my pre-ceremony prep, and I was dizzily giddy with glee when the time came to step into that swathe of frothy, creamy, lacy confection.
Even though Deborah (my fairy godmother/dress designer) was there to help me change, I didn’t want my mom or maid of honor to miss out on their part in the dressing honor. So I invited them up to get me started….
My mom and MOH as Cinderella's little birdies
Make. Me. PRETTY!
I have a tendency to let adrenaline and excitement overwhelm and keep me from really being present in a moment, so as often as possible throughout the day, I’d try to quiet down and let the moments really sink in, instead of merely washing over me.
Feelin' it.
But, on the real, it was hard to keep from bursting the seams of my joy every minute.
Deb stepped in to lace me up….
My sister is looking so perplexed!
I just kept looking down at the gown, in awe of it all.
Then it was time to tie my sash…
My paparazzi moment.
Like a perfect present.
We almost forgot my garter! A few years back, Hunter caught the garter at my sister Kim’s wedding, so we thought it would be fun to use it as a “something borrowed”
Momma, your leg smells like bride!
How does it look?
Fashion tape time! Ah, how innocent I was, how badly it let me down.
Got some sassy glitter to decorate my decolletage!
My girls need some glitter!
I took a last look before running out the door…
Is my halo on straight?
Back fat check! All clear!
…..and it was time to roll! We all piled into a van and headed towards the ceremony site, feeling high on happiness and full of joyous anticipation. My vows in hand, I looked down at the words I was getting ready to utter, and remembered to switch my engagement ring over to my right hand, as something different would soon be taking its place. I was off to be married. I was on my way to the arms of my husband.
January 13th, 2010 by The Fresh Hubby
The Big Day when I become a Hubby has arrived. If you missed all the fun things I did to gently morph the speeding bullet of wedding planning into the Wedding Soul Train click here. But Yowsers! The wedding countdown clock is ticking, and we need to get back to Groomsmen HQ to change, and FAST!
Fresh Hubby Tip Numero Seis: Through out the day, find a few moments here and there to look at your vows. Whether you wrote them yourself or you are going the traditional route, take some time to connect with what you are going to say later on. After all, that’s the whole point of the day right? You have gathered your dearly beloved to witness your declaration of love of and commitment. These are more than words, they have meaning. When the time comes you don’t want to just repeat them, you’ll want to be comfortable enough that you feel them. I wrote mine out on business cards and during every activity took just a few moments to check in with my vows.
VOWS, now in a convenient travel size...
...study on the bus...
...Study where ever you get a moment
Fresh Hubby Tip Numero Siete: Keep all your destinations close and flexible: We were going to lounge by the pool at the hotel but, “Whoa where did the time go? We’ve got to get ready!” To The Magic Castle! We all crammed into my Brother the Best Man’s hotel room to change. I’m flinging clothes on, throwing some water on the fro, and pulling off a little Flashdance hair shake.
Hmm, how many was the room reservation for?
It's raining Grooms, Hallelujiah!
The SHUTTLE HAS ARRIVED TO TAKE US TO THE CEREMONY!!! Oh dear! My suitcase of clothes for our newlywed sleepover is with me. Unless we want to get dropped off at The Magic Castle and then stumble two blocks dragging a suitcase, in the middle of the night after our wedding, I better get it over to our hotel fast! “DAVE! Can you run this over to the Renaissance Hotel and then RUN back?” “Wha? Uuuh… On it!” Knock Knock. “It’s your mom. We haven’t rehearsed our mother son dance.” “Yikes! I haven’t even heard the song in ten years!” Cue Mom and half dressed son Dancing around the hotel while mom says “one, two, one two three” and son mutters, “Shall we dance? bum bum bum”.
My mom never takes off her dancing shoes
OK, we can pull this off! I just have to fling my jacket on. Ask mom to pin on my Boutonniere.
The last moment alone with my mom as just... her boy
Run downstairs to the doubledecker bus which…is… getting a parking citation from the Los Angeles Parking Violations folks.
NOW IT’S AN L.A. WEDDING Y’ALL!
"Oh it's the Fresh Hubby's Wedding?!... You're still getting a ticket!"
Awkward...
Every one on board! We need to get out of here before we get another ticket, but “Where’s Dave?!”. Fortunately its a doubledecker so we are at a vantage point to see off in the distance a slender fellow in a suit running towards us with all his might. Dave hops in and we are off! … TO GET MARRIED!… HOLY CRAP!
Full speed ahead! To My Wedding!!!
P.S. Fresh Hubby Tip Numero Ocho: If you are riding a topless double decker bus and a huge tree branch comes straight at you…
...DUCK!!!
January 6th, 2010 by The Fresh Hubby
With all the last moment emergencies the month leading up to our wedding was a stress fest! And if I thought the last month was stressful the last week was a Stress-mare! I woke the morning of our wedding with a goal: “I won’t stress out about a thing. I will live and love every moment of today.” And here is how it went…
Fresh Hubby Tip Numero Uno for the MONTH of your wedding: Watch your cell bill and add minutes if necessary.- The past week felt like I was on the phone answering a vendor’s or guest’s question more than I was off the phone. Don’t believe me? Well if you can get
T-mobile to remove the FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS IN OVERAGES for the month of May, we will be besties for life. I knew I needed to slow down the Bullet Train of Wedding Planning and turn it into the Soul Train of Wedding Loving. Its one thing to have a goal, its another to have a plan.
- This thing won’t stop ringing!
Fresh Hubby Tip Numero Uno for the DAY of your wedding: You need to mentally and physically stop and relax. The planning has ended and now it’s time to be fully present in the day.- Hellooooo Massage. If you live in L.A. you may know the joy of Pho Siam. A beautiful calming location where a nice Thai lady will stretch you like a rubber-band and walk all over you for only 40 bucks an hour. I told my brother and Best Man that was how we were going to start the big day, and surprisingly *wink* he had no objections. For the first time in a week the cell phone was being turned off. I was now on the Wedding Soul Train and nothing was gonna mess up my groove.
- This may be the rehearsal dinner but you can see my Best Man is a relaxing guy
Fresh Hubby Tip Numero Dose for the DAY of your wedding: Give your best man your cell phone. Just because my cell phone had been turned off does not mean the calls stopped coming. When I turned my phone back on I had to play catch up. Everyone respects that the bride needs to be left alone on the wedding day so EVERYONE turns to the suit for answers. Today you are Vinny Chase and you have an Enterouge for a reason. Turn to them.
- My Crew has Balls!
Fresh Hubby tip Numero Tres: Do something fun and simple with the Fellas for bonding and relaxing- My Best Man and I both emerged from Pho Siam, with a calm confidence and we were ready to get our wedding on. But it’s only 12pm. Good thing we planned to go bowling with the Groomsmen and other men of the family. I had thought about golf, but getting there and back on time would have harshed my mellow, man. Bowling was just a block away from our out of towners hotel
The Magic Castle I.E. Groomsmen Prep. Headquarters.
- Aye! When it comes to bowling my Pops in-law and I don’t mess around.
Fresh Hubby tip Numero Quattro and Cinquo: Make sure you eat something, and if a friend is your second shooter, make sure its a very reliable friend- Bowling was a blast. Groomsmen, Groomslady, and the Pops/Bros In-laws having a good time. Lounging around with a spread of bowling appetizer grub surrounded by some of my closest gents (and lady) in my life was a very good way to smoothly start building the momentum of the day. But where the heck is our second shooter who is supposed to be documenting all this brotherly love?! I get a call from our awesome
D.O.C. Sharlene and she asks, “Do you know where the heck your second shooter is?!” She has been trying to reach him forever. Mellow Harshing Alert! Man, I’m just trying to keep it groovy here, ya dig. Our second shooter was a friend who was emphatic about taking pics for our wedding. We had given him a billion oppurtunities to simply be a guest at the wedding, but he insisted. So where the heck is this guy? Thankfully my groomsmen stepped in. Between my Best Man and Groomsman Nick, our second shooter magically appeared. A little sweaty, but in time to get some good pics. Let the soul train roll on.
- Nick’s got my back… and my boobs
Bowling has been so fun but I’m kind of in the mood to lay by the pool because it’s only…YOWSERS It’s later than I thought! We need to get changing and S.T.A.T.! We are in the final countdown to the ceremony and all of a sudden the Wedding Soul Train is going to EXPRESS!
January 4th, 2010 by The Broke-Ass Bride
I relished in every single minute of the “prettifying” part of my wedding day like it the sleepover party of my dreams. Surrounded by my favorite ladies (sisters Dawn and Kim, future SIL Cathy, bestie Mapo, future SIL Judith and my mom), getting the royal treatment, feeling full of joy, relaxed and openhearted, my body buzzing with anticipation. It was a fairy tale transformation that made me feel like a bad-ass princess, ready to take on the day, find my prince charming and waltz our way into our happily-ever-after.
Cinderella smile.
It started with my hairdresser Martina putting tight Shirley Temple curls all around my head….
Curlsplosion!
…which she then had to brush completely out to achieve the perfect look, before fastening my gorgeous, custom TS Tiara headband across me like a whimsical crystal halo. At this point, Martina had been my hairdresser for nearly 2 years by the point we reached this day. She’s adorable and bubbly and warm, and she made my hair look ultrafly. I loved having her there to share in the excitement.
tying the knot before tying the knot.
Meanwhile, my dress was waiting patiently….. showing off for the camera.
with my coat of many colors.
Even the dresses had their own special makeover party. A few days before the rehearsal, my wedding dress designer Deborah Lindquist saved the day by doing a last-minute alteration on my rehearsal dress. When we picked it up, she thrilled us with a generous offer to come over the morning of the wedding not only deliver but steam my dress and help me into it. You might remember that I worked with Deb for nearly a year, after bartering a work-trade for a discount on the gown, and we bonded through that experience. I was so touched when she offered to come help. That morning she surprised us by offering to also steam the bridesmaid’s dresses so everyone would look perfect. I felt so spoiled with love! Having her there was so special.
a colorful gaggle of tafetta.
I took care of some last minute hygiene (to make sure that first kiss would be as sweet as ever)
brusha brusha brusha!
And carefully nested the bottle of wine given to us by our friend Nick, who crafted us the most gorgeous box for the box ceremony….
here's hoping we don't meet again soon.
I swathed it in a vintage sari depicting the Baraat (an indian wedding processional) which was a recurring element in our paper goods.
yards of marital marching.
Paco wanted to wish me a happy wedding day, too.
today, we become a true family.
I checked in with my mom for some girlish giggly glee…
Mamaw, you look marvelous!
While my vows, our rings and a letter from our best homey in absentia to include in the box ceremony canoodled quietly. Our rings are nestled into a seashell from the beach in San Felipe on which Hunter proposed to me. My dad fastened a bit of ribbon onto the lip of the seashell with epoxy, we strung a ring on each side, and tied a bow. That way it could be passed around during the Ring Warming Ceremony (more to come on that) in a ‘cradle of love’, as-it-were.
Our rings sat in a seashell from the beach where he proposed.
I inserted my “cutlets” and maid of honor Dawn felt me up to make sure they were secure. I needed them to fill out the bustier of my dress a little better. What can I say, I”m a proud member of the itty bitty titty committee. These cutlets would prove to be the only thing that save me from certain death by mortification later that night.
Tune in tokyo.
Our incredible makeup gal, Jessica Rinsky, put the finishing touches on my momma’s lips. We found Jessica at the Laura Mercier counter at Nordstrom – The Grove, in a moment of desperation after a failed makeup trial elsewhere and hired her on the spot. Her personality and talent were bright shining stars! I am very particular about makeup… but she made me and my mother glow as if it were completely natural. If you don’t like feeling like you’re wearing lots of makeup, and want a really natural radiance, I totes recommend Laura Mercier’s line.
a perfect pout.
Then it was my turn to hop in the (effing fabulous) chair once more to get my final touchups done.
My sweatpants said "Love this Life" across the rear. And how I do.
Painting on the perfect pucker.
Waterproof mascara please (I'm a crier).
Pucker up, buttercup!
My ladies each signed the sole of my shoe, so their support would keep me sure-footed through the day.
What a gorgeous momma I've got!
Mapo drew a margarita. She knows me too well.
Sister Kim left her mark while Paco made a fort underfoot.
Let's play dress up!
….Then it was time to get in the gown! Come back for part 2: Dress up time!
(Catch up on past recaps here. See more details in our wedding highlight video here.)
December 22nd, 2009 by The Broke-Ass Bride
The new Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine (Annual Worldwide Guide Edition) just came out last week, and guess whose broke-ass is gracing its pages? Ohhhhh snap!
Destination Weddings & Honeymoons
Destination Weddings & Honeymoons
The article came out great, despite a tiny typo (Bride$haring alone saved us $2k, but that was just the tip of our savvy savings iceberg) – but we’re not sweating it. We ain’t got nothing but love for the kind folks at DWH, and are totally honored to have been included!
The whole fabulous magazine is absolutely chock-full of beautiful inspiration and valuable information – so what are you waiting for? Get out there and score your own copy today!
Thanks again, Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine! We love you long time!
December 21st, 2009 by The Broke-Ass Bride
(When we left off, I was checking off last-minute to-do’s and ready to face my day)
My first real “appointment of my day” fell just after my shower (in which it was verboten to wash my hair), and was with my sister Kim. I had requested it months before my wedding day, and knew that despite my procrastinatory disposition, it would be the make-it-or-break-it moment of my pre-ceremony wedding day. Kim is the most incredibly gifted healer that I know, and she generously offered me a craniosacral therapy session the morning of my wedding. I’d had experienced her abiliities before, but never in such extreme circumstances, but this was by far the most profound of them all. I’m no kookyspooks, but Kim can hold her hands over an area of my body, and not only feel my emotions without question, but seemingly exorcise tension from my body and prepare me for any experience with pure openness. Now that is a true gift of healing.
It was an extremely personal session, but I will say that I laughed, I cried, and I worked out any possible many insecurities, discoveries and awakenings that I never even knew existed before this…. it felt like years of therapy were accomplished in an hours’ time. As usual, I stood taller, felt stronger, and more grounded as I moved forward with my day; but the gratitude and connection I felt for Kim can never be surpassed. It was a truly deep and integrated moment among sisters that I will cherish as long as I live.
Kim has studied craniosacral, massage, and structural therapies for many years, and her healing powers are so strong it was mind boggling to me. She’d barely, if even, be touching me for the past hour; and be able to feel me having a thought process or feeling, it was incredible. She would hear me laugh or feel me start to cry, and feel it just as deeply as I would.
That hour before my wedding bound me closer to Kim than I ever dreamed, and prepared my body and soul to be open for the experience of a lifetime. I am so grateful to have had that experience, and had my swami sister there to ready me for every angle of emotion I could have possibly imagined experiencing.
My love, thanks, and gratitude to our family members for their support is unmeasurable. And as I readied to walk the aisle I was more sure footed than ever before.
December 10th, 2009 by The Broke-Ass Bride
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.
I took my own advice, and our guests loved the moss centerpieces!
I hope these ideas help inspire some of you to take your table decor to the next level while keeping your budget in check. Saving money on your wedding decor is often as easy as thinking outside the box! Now go, unleash your inner budget bad-ass and make your tables sing!
What’s your favorite outside-the-box saving tip for table decor?
