How to Plan a Wedding in 10 Days... and Keep a Modest Budget

How long have you and your fiance been engaged?and gifts. If you prefer, you can even have the
Are you tired of waiting for the big wedding day? Youwedding ceremony at the house, as well.5. Find a
just can't wait to be Mr. and Mrs. "fill in name ofwholesale floristSearch for a local wholesale florist. Not
couple." Well, wait no more! Here are seven tips ononly do they generally have many people working for
how to plan your wedding in just 10 short days. Theythem (meaning they can get large orders filled in little
are in no means in any particular order -- just use yourtime), but since they get their supplies wholesale you
own common sense.1. Borrow your wedding dressArewill get a better price. Are you allergic to real flowers?
you the same dress size as another female familyHave them make fake bouquets. They can make
member or friend? Ask if you can wear their weddingthem look just as beautiful and can even make them
dress in your wedding! Not only will you look fabulous,look real by adding effects (i.e., clear glue droplets
but you'll already have your "something borrowed" formade to look like water).6. Plan the menu and do it
the tradition. Plus, if you borrow the dress from ayourselfNot meaning cook everything yourself, but you
family member, that will make the dress all the morecan order deli, veggie and fruit trays and have
special. Buy your garter and shoes at a wedding shopsomeone pick them up and arrange them at the
or even a craft supply store. You will have yourreception house during the ceremony. Buy bottles of
"something new" and if you get a garter with a bluesoda on sale and big bags of ice. Use paper plates
bow, there is your "something blue." As for "somethingand cups and use plastic utensils and buy a
old," borrow an item from a family member that hasfancy-looking vinyl tablecloth. This will also make the
sentimental value. Take good care of it and give it rightclean-up a lot easier for whoever ends up cleaning.
back after the wedding!2. Make theThey'll thank you for it later.7. Friends, friends, friends!Still
invitationsObviously you will not have time to orderneed music, pictures, and a cake? Ask your friends!
invitations, so make them yourself! You can purchaseEven if none of your friends is a DJ/KJ, photographer,
wedding invitation paper at your local office supplyor baker, chances are they know some people who
store, most of them come with a template that youcan cut you a deal. If you can't afford a photographer,
can load onto your hard drive. Then, you design theyou probably have a friend who takes awesome
invitation on your computer using the actual facsimile ofpictures. Have them make the memories of your
the invitation on your screen. The package will evenwedding. If there are family photos and such that you
include some regular paper to test your designs onwant, make sure you let them know. Get someone
before you print them. Buy mailing labels that you canwhom you know is famous for their goodies to make
print from the computer also. This will save a lot ofthe cake. It may not be the five-tier cake that you
time and probably prevent you from developing carpaldreamed about when you were ten, but it will be
tunnel syndrome in the meantime!3. Talk to someonespecial just the same. If you are lucky, you have a
at the wedding venueWherever you choose to havefriend who specializes in cake decorating who can
the wedding ceremony -- a church, temple,build your five-tier dream. Use a small boom box for
non-denominational justice of the peace chambers --music at the ceremony and just have someone push
make sure you book the date and time you wantthe buttons. Make CD mixes of the songs you want in
need for the wedding. If you need any specialthe order you want them. Supply the person with a list
equipment, like a chupah (ceremonial canopy) for aof what to play when and leave it to them. Have the
Jewish wedding, make certain that it will be available.same person bring the boom box to the reception
Ask about prices and see if you can cut a dealhouse so that you can have your wedding party intros,
considering the short notice.4. Book a houseFinding itfirst dance, etc.So there you have it. It takes some
difficult to book a reception in so little time? Have it attime, but think of all the hassles you will avoid by
a relative's house. Chances are that you are gettingmarrying so quickly. There will be no time to change
married in one of your hometowns (if you don't shareyour mind about anything, much less change it several
the same one) or current place of residence. Whattimes. Taking these seven tips to heart will allow you
better way to save money on a banquet hall than byto have a hassle-free, moderate-budget wedding of
having the reception at the home of someone youyour dreams!After struggling with her own wedding,
know? Just make sure that it is large enough toMichele Neisler created Wedding Wisdom to educate
accommodate all of your guests, food, cake, music,future brides.