From the design of the invitations to choosing the venue, organizing your own wedding reception is becoming more and more acceptable for bridal couples, many of whom have already been living together for a number of years.
As society becomes less traditional, a simple, practical wedding often seems preferable to leaving it all in the hands of other people. Older, professional couples are often happy to take on the job themselves rather than leaving this important day in the hands of family members, and in these times of recession, splurging on a dream wedding is not always an option.
For many couples, a DIY wedding reception helps save on wedding costs, meaning that those savings can be invested into their life together. Not only this, it’s also a way to retain full control of the big day.
From making your own centrepieces, putting together a homemade playlist, fixing up the guest favours or even baking your own cake, organizing your own wedding reception is a chance to be creative. With the right planning, the results can be great.
Making your own centrepiece
Centrepieces don’t have to be a dreaded subject and are in fact much simpler to design that most couples think; first, decide on the theme for your wedding. This doesn’t have to be anything definite; it could just mean the colours and textures you would like in your wedding picture. Nor does it have to be elaborate: a small floating light centrepiece or even a tall, elegant vase can look great if arranged carefully, while tea lights or votive candles are super cheap and are easy to buy anywhere and look great in a centrepiece.
Invitations
You don’t have to throw money away on a professional printing service: great-looking invitations can be printed off via your home computer. To add a touch of individuality, buy some high-quality, slightly thicker coloured paper from your local stationers.
Furniture
Don’t leave considering the furniture until the last minute. Make sure there are sufficient chairs and tables for all the guests and that the furniture matches. Try to make a colour or texture theme that ties all the visual elements together, like glass, for instance. A glass dining table is a relatively inexpensive investment that will look spectacular in the centre of your reception dining area.
Remember to decorate the tables with a pretty floral display. If you don’t have time to get flowers on the day, use dried flowers instead, and start working on the bouquets as far in advance as you like. Don’t forget the cake stand, which doesn’t have to be expensive – you could even try looking in your local charity shop.
Write lists
From napkins and music to wedding favours, there’s lots to remember, so write plenty of lists and stick them up somewhere you’re likely to see them, like on the fridge. Most of these items are readily available in your local supermarket or if you’re a secret crafty goddess, can be made yourself; handwritten cards, for example, can add a lovely personal touch.
As you juggle your budget, haggle where you can and use local suppliers to keep prices down. And keep in mind that DIY doesn’t mean you can’t delegate – this is your big day too, and just remember to enjoy it.
