Vintage dresses and suits from any era can make beautiful wedding gowns.
Your dress doesn't have to be white. Bridesmaids' dresses are much less expensive than wedding dresses and are available in a variety of colors.
Think international: Sarongs, kimonos, dirndls & lederhosen. Go with your ethnic heritage or borrow someone else's. This is your day!
Jeans, boots and turquoise jewelry give a southwestern feel, and everything can be worn again and again.
A poodle skirt can be the basis for a 1950s themed wedding. Your reception can include root-beer floats, Buddy Holly music, and a 1957 Chevy getaway car. A cardboard cut-out of Elvis, James Dean, or Marilyn Monroe (or all three!) can head the reception line. Pose with them for a fun touch. [I am willing to travel to Fairmount, Indiana, where cool was born (boyhood home and burial place of James Dean) for noon weddings. However, you will have to check with the Grant County Recorder (765-668-6542) for all applicable marriage laws.]
Some brides buy second-hand wedding dresses at thrift stores. (Tip from this domestically challenged woman who learned the hard way: do not use bleach on vintage clothing as you could ruin the fabric.)
The groom can wear a blazer or nice sweater, white shirt and dark jeans or khakis.
Ask your bridesmaids if they already have suitable dresses in their own closets. Instead of everyone buying new gowns, they could all wear dresses in the same color range. If you really love color, you could bump out the barriers and let each wear her favorite dress.
Hair jewels make a beautiful substitute for a veil. They can be found through an Internet search, or made with inexpensive "rhinestones" (available at Meijer and Hobby Lobby) attached to stick-on velcro.
For a summer wedding, consider braiding small seashells into your hair. Shells are available at craft stores for a minimal amount of money.
To continue the summery theme, larger seashells can be used to decorate place settings. You can often find an entire basket filled with seashells at dollar stores.
Other wedding favors include small bowls with M&Ms (especially nice when the seasonal colors are available) or Hershey's kisses.
Dollar Tree often has bridal garters and white party favors suitable for weddings.
Wrap plastic knives, forks & spoons in paper napkins, then tie with a ribbon, using colors that match your wedding theme.
If you can't afford armloads of fresh flowers, or you are allergic, here are a few suggestions for your beautiful wedding:
In spring and summer, varieties of purple wildflowers in shades from light to dark grow at roadsides. At the first part of July, native or "tiger" lilies appear to flourish in every ditch in Ohio.
Candles are the easiest and most affordable alternative to flowers.
Tea lights, available from a dollar store, can float in a punch bowl or individual glasses. Buy glasses at dollar stores, yard sales, thrift stores, and flea markets.
A large candle held in place with clear or colored stones makes a beautiful centerpiece.
Use a candle surrounded by clear bowls or glasses filled with cranberries and pine boughs for a Christmas wedding.
Know anyone with a classic car? A vintage Mustang, Barracuda, or convertible will make a
great "limo" for your wedding day.
Consider hiring an art student as your official wedding photographer, if you want to get formal. Columbus College of Art & Design is right here in Columbus! Family and friends can be counted on to take digital pictures.
Cupcakes, Twinkies, Snowballs, or several flavors of pie can be substituted for or an addition to the wedding cake.
Potted herbs are a beautiful and refreshing decoration.
Scarves in your wedding colors can be wrapped around bowls.
Potted bulbs in season can be used to decorate.
Use your imagination, and enjoy your day!!!
