So, there you are, daydreaming about what style profile your wedding will take. You flip through catalogs, wondering if you want to make your bridesmaids delightfully chic in A-line Anna Sui little black dresses—or if you want to steal the show by putting them in those wretched hoop skirts with the little old lady hats. (Let’s admit it, the thought of the latter does make you rather chipper.) But after the bridesmaids’ dresses are chosen, it seems that the wedding takes on a life of its own.
The flowers must match the aisle color. The chairs must match the aisle. The groomsmen must match the groom. The napkins must match the bridesmaids’ dresses… why? Who knows. I don’t make the rules; I simply tell you how ridiculous they are.
But doesn’t it feel this way? Don’t we brides get SO caught up in the look of it all that we forget to simply enjoy the moment? After all, we were told it would be the happiest day of our lives. Yes, planning a wedding can be the most exciting time of your life, but somewhere in the little details, it can also become the most stressful.
If you’re about to tie the knot but can’t quite shake the knots the details are putting in your stomach, read on to find out how you can make planning your wedding a little less stressful while still making it fabulous—without sweating the small stuff.
Destination Weddings
Beautiful and, best of all, completely low maintenance without looking it, destination weddings are instant wedding chic in a bright little ribbon-ed package. Sometimes the price seems a little steep, but if you think of all the accessories saved with the beautiful scenery nature created, you often come out ahead.
Take a beach wedding, for instance. By having your wedding on the sandy seashore with the tide coming in between your toes, you not only have the perfect setting for a fairytale wedding day, but you also have just taken several big-ticket items off your budget list. No more need for $1,000 Jimmy Choos or fancy Gucci loafers for him. Bare feet make the perfect accessory.
And unless you feel the need to go all out, if you’re in Hawaii, flowers grow wild on the vine. There’s no need to overwhelm the budget with florist fresh beauties. Simply choose a site with plentiful plants for the backdrop.
If you’re not a beach girl, mountain resorts and cabins also offer destination wedding packages. Almost all of them have options that allow you to be as involved or uninvolved as you like. Resorts often get the perks of buying in bulk, so if they can do the accessories, let them. You’ll save an arm and a leg on floral arrangements and often photography as well.
Princess Additions on a Cinderella Budget
- If you can’t afford the glitz and glamour, remember that simple romance is as chic as it gets. If you can’t buy the big floral arrangements you like, pluck petals from a few fresh roses and place them on the tables. If you know someone with a garden, hydrangea bunches look delightful when cut to the bloom and placed in a simple jar or pail. It’s very shabby chic.
- If you can’t afford a photographer, ask guests to bring their cameras. Then, simply pay to have the pictures developed. The best part is that you can pay as little as 8 cents per print at many drugstores or online. You never know what photos you’ll get, which makes it a great honeymoon gift to yourself and your spouse. Have the photos developed while you’re away, and it will give you something to look forward to when you return home.
- If you can’t afford parting gifts, have your parents or a friend take a photograph of every guest at the wedding in front of a beautiful spot. Then, send the photograph in the mail with a special note that reads, ‘We will always remember our special day. But the wedding wouldn’t have been quite as special without you there. Thank you for coming!’
From destination weddings to small, simple touches, don’t get lost in the details. And if you do, don’t believe the hype. This is a great time in your life, but not the best of all. This is simply the beginning.
