Howdy, everybody!
Just stopping by quick to invite you to visit Papertini at a Bouche Production's bridal show next month! ^_^
Check out the show information below:


The 10th Annual Fantasy Bridal Event
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Mall Hours (10am-6pm)
Willow Grove Park
2500 Moreland Rd, Willow Grove, PA


For more information, please visit http://bridalevent.com/shows.html

Hope to see you there! ^_^

First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Okay, okay...I know I'm really late...it's mid January...but hey! Better late than never! ^_^ I hope the new year has been good to everybody, just like it's been good to me.

2009 opened with a not-so-yippee-doodledoo tone as we all would hope. This tumbling economy bubble is affecting every industry and just like those economists all say...it's like a domino effect. I've heard once that weddings know no recessions. It's true that people will still get married come rain, come shine. But I am fully aware of the gloominess of the economy and I know it's getting harder to justify spending that extra $$$, especially for floral and decoration. Obviously, you don't want to have just table clothes and place settings on your guest tables, but you are also not sure if you want to shed that  $ 100 for a centerpiece arrangement per table either. How are we to do this wedding without breaking our checking account?

So after meditating during my winter hibernation, I came up with a few suggestions and ideas to cope with wedding planning in this dire economy. Please remember that all of these are my personal opinions, not research based or anything like that. ^_^

A little prologue...

What is the core meaning of a wedding celebration?
Is it really about the gowns? The food? The flowers and decor? The dancing?

Sure the people in wedding industry will throw sandals at me for asking questions such as the above and for saying the following things. The truth to the matter is, I personally believe those questions ARE important. Wedding celebration is about celebrating the love and commitment between you and your special someone. The rest of the stuff are just extras, really. When I say "extra", I truly mean that it's not a must have. And in my most humble opinion: You really are not obligated to impress anybody else but yourself and your loved one.

So you need to define what the core meaning of a wedding celebration is to you and your special someone.
Then you can decide what extra stuff you'd like to have - Learn to say 'NO'.


"BRING MINI BACK"
Riding on Justin Timberlake's "Bring Sexy Back" tune, I'd say..."I'm bringing 'Mini' back".

@ MINI-MIZE YOUR BRIDAL PARTY
Not only will this save $$$ for your floral budget but this might save $$$ for your friends or family!
- I thought of this after being a bridesmaid myself. For each wedding, I shed at least $ 100 for my bridesmaid dress. That added a pretty good dent on my checking account particularly after I had to pay for the airplane ticket. One can argue by saying, "Well, you can always say 'no'" - Well, can you boldly say 'no' to your bestfriend or your sister or cousin or your favorite colleague if they ask you to be their bridesmaid without feeling awkward or guilty or ashame?

"But I want to make them feel involved and be a part of my special day"
- I totally understand, my dear. But you really don't have to make them bridesmaids or groomsmen.
For small budget wedding, family and friends' involvement in the execution of the big day even more important.
Opt for DIY invitations, program book, favors, centerpieces and other decors where you can involve these important people and make them feel included in your special day.


@ MINI-MIZE DA PARTY
Is it written in a law that bride and groom are obligated to serve full meal at their wedding reception?
NO.

Therefore, one should consider a different style of wedding reception, say...by adapting the cocktail party theme into your wedding reception. I think this would work great particularly if you have problems shrinking the guest list.

SO...WHY NOT?

A lot of caterers have impressive lines and presentations of hors d'oeuvres a.k.a appetizers. I think this will give your guests more food options without killing your budget. Plus, have you ever been to a party (not just weddings, any parties) where you were so stuffed from the appetizers, you couldn't eat your entrees? Let's save the earth from throwing more food leftover, folks! 


@ MINI-MALIST STYLE
So you've sat down and figured out what extras you would like to have. Turns out you have leftover $$$ to do some decor. We don't always have to include flowers for decor. How about incorporating fruits and vegetables? How about candles? How about framed poems or personal stories?

The idea of "minimalist" to me, personally, does not mean empty spaces, does not mean a stick of branch.
I define "minimalist" as clean, simplistic, smart and bold. We can achieve this with or without flowers. Yes, this means design wise, we are entering the NON TRADITIONAL world. And yes, folks, Non-Traditional can be just as romantic. And yes, YOU need to have a lot of COURAGE.

SO...BE A TREND SETTER!


A little epilogue...

Small budget DOES NOT mean:
1. Your wedding have to look cheap.
2. Your wedding celebration is less joyous.

Small budget MEANS:
1. You will not get in debts from doing your wedding.
2. Opportunities to be a trend setter - redefining designs and possibilities.
3. You have to be in touch with reality, so...BE REALISTIC.
4. You have to be SMART and ASSERTIVE in defining what's important and managing your wedding planning.

In a nutshell: There is nothing wrong with having a small budget.
You just have to have the COURAGE to define what a wedding celebration is all about to you and your loved one. Don't let the magazines and/or other people define it for you.

It's your special day; it's yours to define.