Decorating on a Budget
by Josie Ryan
Decorating can be the most exciting part of the wedding arrangements! This is where the bride and groom demonstrate their personalities through their displays. What type of music will be played in the background? How will colors be coordinated? What will be exhibited, etc., etc.? Although this is a fun time, it can be stressful, too. Nobody wants things to go wrong during a celebration. Here is a list to think about when you decide who to get, what to get, and how to get it:
Pros/Cons of Decorators
Local: If you choose to use a local decorator, the bill will most likely be cheaper, but they will probably not have as many options, or as much experience. However, their goal is to please in order to keep their reputation growing, and will therefore be devoted to your wishes and concerns.
Professional: These types of companies will be more expensive, but they will have more styles and suggestions. They definitely know what they are doing and will be very proficient, but this could be an inconvenience—because they know so much, they like to have things done their own way.
Yourselves: It is also completely possible to be your own decorators. It can be cheap and entertaining and easy, if you each give yourselves plenty of time to plan before the wedding. This is your chance to be creative and put together a style all your own by including each other’s ideas and preferences. If you do this option, you can get the bare minimum necessities you need from a decorator and shouldn’t have to rent much.
Style of Wedding/Reception
There are many people who theme their weddings. This is a fun way to bring out personalities, and there are ways to do this cheaply. It is useful when the theme applies to things that you love and that you already have. If your styles are more modern, ask friends for ideas and see what they’ve got! A more traditional style will have loads of options to choose from between grandmothers, aunts, mothers (you’ll have two now), and neighbors. A room can be fully decorated just by asking around and seeing what other people have. Just remember to keep their things in the same—or better—condition as when they first came to you.
Tips for a Budget
- Give yourself time before the wedding to look around for the best deals and gather things that you would like to use from other people.
- Use your friends and family in every way possible. They are huge assets for budgeted weddings/receptions. Borrow decorations and ask for assistance—they will be willing and happy to help.
- Especially if you are having two receptions, use fake flowers. Boutonnieres and corsages are not hard to make and they won’t wilt.
- If you buy decorations, invest and get things that you will have use for in the future.
- The simpler, the cheaper, the better!
Pros/Cons of Decorators
Local: If you choose to use a local decorator, the bill will most likely be cheaper, but they will probably not have as many options, or as much experience. However, their goal is to please in order to keep their reputation growing, and will therefore be devoted to your wishes and concerns.
Professional: These types of companies will be more expensive, but they will have more styles and suggestions. They definitely know what they are doing and will be very proficient, but this could be an inconvenience—because they know so much, they like to have things done their own way.
Yourselves: It is also completely possible to be your own decorators. It can be cheap and entertaining and easy, if you each give yourselves plenty of time to plan before the wedding. This is your chance to be creative and put together a style all your own by including each other’s ideas and preferences. If you do this option, you can get the bare minimum necessities you need from a decorator and shouldn’t have to rent much.
Style of Wedding/Reception
There are many people who theme their weddings. This is a fun way to bring out personalities, and there are ways to do this cheaply. It is useful when the theme applies to things that you love and that you already have. If your styles are more modern, ask friends for ideas and see what they’ve got! A more traditional style will have loads of options to choose from between grandmothers, aunts, mothers (you’ll have two now), and neighbors. A room can be fully decorated just by asking around and seeing what other people have. Just remember to keep their things in the same—or better—condition as when they first came to you.
Tips for a Budget
- Give yourself time before the wedding to look around for the best deals and gather things that you would like to use from other people.
- Use your friends and family in every way possible. They are huge assets for budgeted weddings/receptions. Borrow decorations and ask for assistance—they will be willing and happy to help.
- Especially if you are having two receptions, use fake flowers. Boutonnieres and corsages are not hard to make and they won’t wilt.
- If you buy decorations, invest and get things that you will have use for in the future.
- The simpler, the cheaper, the better!