I have been married 10 years- Plus some frugal wedding tips

It's my 10 year anniversary this week so I decided to reflect on some of my 10 year old frugal wedding tips! Yes, even back then I was somewhat frugal in my early 20's!

1. I borrowed my wedding dress from my cousins best friend. Hey, why not? She offered the beautiful gown to me when I went to look at her photographers work on her wedding. I got the dress professionally dry cleaned and pressed for her after I wore it. I saved hundreds of dollars!! I also borrowed her tiara but purchased my own veil. See photo! I wore cheap white wide width shoes from payless--no one saw them and comfort was a must for me!Here's a picture of me with my hubby at our open house back east.

2. I bought the bridesmaids modest and simple dress patterns, thread, and fabric. I mailed them to each out of state sister or friend and they were in charge of having someone make it to fit their figures. It was the same pattern but fit their bodies individually. It worked out great.

3. Our reception food was catered and we served a dessert and fruit bar. The food was tasty and displayed artistically. I had someone pack me a to-go food basket for our honeymoon room. We wanted some of our yummy food too.

4. We had a catered RSVP luncheon at the reception location after the 11 am wedding at our church for close family, friends, and relatives. It was a yummy sit down occasion. It was about $12-15 a plate I think. I wanted an intimate celebration for close loved ones.

5. We had a close friend be our DJ with songs we chose in the order we wanted them played! I love to dance!

6. I gave the bridesmaids the table centerpieces & jewelry that they wore for gifts for being in my wedding line. My dear friend who helped me set up the centerpieces got a large flower arrangement for her help on the reception.

Now don't get me wrong in good Staci fashion we spent money$ where we cared about the most. For example: We spent a medium amount on flowers, a bit more on photography (I had a husband and wife photography team-one was shooting us in photo journalism style and one for portraiture style), didn't hire a cinematographer which I regret, got married in our church, & the reception location was on a campus where my mom was an alumni so we got a significant discount!

Ah that was fun going down wedding day planning memory lane!

Go here for more wedding ideas I have blogged about in the past.

2 for $1 Mother's day (and more) cards at Dollar Tree Stores

The Dollar Tree stores have nice cards 2 for $1. I got these two for Mother's day (they have them for Grandma's too). Of course they have other occasions 2 for $1 such as: graduation, wedding, baby shower, sympathy, b-day, Father's day, and more for $.50 a piece. Keep it in mind when you need cards.

Happy Mother's day everyone.

Wedding favors-Cookies

I went to another wedding recently. The bride and groom gave out delicious soft frosted sugar cookies individually wrapped for a wedding thank you/favor. The wedding colors were aqua and black. The napkin (in the background) tied the colors together nicely. Each cookie had edible crystal looking sprinkles with aqua beads placed in yummy soft white frosting. They were pretty and delicious. I enjoy attending wedding parties and getting cute favors. You could do this for a baby shower, girlfriend party, or bridal shower.

Fall weddings

I love attending wedding receptions of loved ones!

I like to see the happy couple, celebrate in their union, and see how they put on a party. Of course I am checking out the decor and food table. It's a wonderful chance for a bride to express herself (on a budget I hope). I am most impressed by a party on a reasonable budget.The favors "Hugs and Kisses" bags.

The yummy lemon water-I think it's common in Utah!

I love the mini cakes. Her colors were brown and pink. This was a unique calla lilly cake with brown ribbons.

Here's another wedding cake from a reception we attended
The wedding colors were orange and brown.

An beautiful food basket

What a great idea for a food table! Veggies arranged in a basket. The purple cabbage was the dip holder.

This would be great for many occasions: A baby shower, bridal shower, neighborhood block party, high school grad party, an outdoor 80's music shin-dig, Twilight girly gathering, Harry Potter party, or a jewelery party, and/or a wedding.

Be inspired use up your veggies (store bought or from your garden). I love veggies.

Wedding table decorations-For any occasion-including ME!

I have said this before, I love weddings. They are an expression of bride's (or mother's) creativity. I like the simplicity of the rectangle flower vase on a square mirror. It's a classic look for that you can use for many occasions in years to come. This is a versatile arrangement that can be used for a baby shower center piece, a new mother bouquet, or for Mother's day. Oh wait I am going to make one similar for myself this weekend. I am not going to wait for my hubby to bring me flowers...I'll cut my own. I deserve it I am a hard working mom. Follow my lead-Do something for yourself blog pals!

A Luau wedding rehearsal dinner for the bridal party

I hosted this Hawaiian luau for my sister in law and now brother in law. The bridal party and their families were invited to celebrate the night before they were married.

For decorations: I used simple Hawaiian print tablecloths, tiki torches, some of my indoor plants, large and small sea shells, Hawaiian lays, star fish, fresh pineapples, and of course photos of the bride and groom for table decorations.

We served Hawaiian Haystacks. They are not a traditional Hawaiian food. I believe someone in Utah made them up. My out of state friends have never heard of Hawaiian Haystacks. They are yummy, easy, and a crowd pleaser! I used a lot of fresh vegetables from my garden for the toppings too.

You can get the recipe & see a photo of a finished haystack HERE on Real Mom's Kitchen blog. She has a great blog by they way.

My toppings at my luau included: Olives, coconut, shredded cheddar cheese, fresh pineapple tidbits, sliced olives, diced green onion,chopped celery, shredded coconut, Chow mien noodles, diced tomatoes, peas, mandarin oranges, mangos, raisins, and diced green pepper.

This table had extra foods: Bananas, limes, lemons, rolls, peaches, mangos, etc. The fresh pineapple was also used as a serving dish for fruit. YUM!

We had sweet and sour meatballs too.

The drink & extra table area- I made a simple homemade Hawaiian punch (in my punch bowl) and a coolers of various beverages. Most of the tables were off to the left in the shade (not pictured). The tables had Hawaiian lays and sea shell necklaces for decorations. All the guests wore Hawaiian print clothes too. It was fun.

Aloha!

Have you hosted a luau recently? Have pictures? Share your party or ideas with me for my next luau? Share!! Share!!

Weddings--I love wedding decor and food!

I look at weddings decor as a brides (or brides mother's) expression of love and creativity. Here's are two ideas I saw at my husband's cousin's wedding that struck me. I went to this wedding in May and this decoration lead us up the pathway to the backyard reception. They were all in a row lined up a stone walkway. It's elegant, simple, interesting, and classy. Way to go bride. **A great idea for a party or baby shower too**

I love yummy food, using levels for displaying food, and chocolate. They used beautiful granite slabs for their layers. WOW!