For some, the wedding fantasy is less about a huge party and more about an intimate, elegant affair. And what could be more elegant than champagne and dessert? There are a number of ways to plan a wedding like this, depending on the size of your guest list and the season. I imagined this one as a tiny City Hall ceremony followed by an elegant, intimate reception in a vine-covered patio or garden after dark. You should also make sure to check out
Style Me Pretty's "Champagne and Dessert Fete" post - some really lovely ideas in it.
The Plan: Champagne & Dessert
Mood: intimate, vintage elegance
Palette: aged lace, vine green
{click image to enlarge}
Top row from left: vintage doily curtain via
Sweet Paul, garden patio via
Desire to Inspire, champagne photo from
Allure Consulting, San Francisco city hall
Row 2: bouquet photo from
Bellissima Vita, vintage cake topper photo by
Susan Dean via
Santa Barbara Wedding, miniature ice cream from
Martha Stewart Weddings,
Leah C. hair pin from
In StyleRow 3: lanterns photo by
Stacey Kane, ring by
Sarah Perlis, truffle favors from
Martha Stewart Wedding, petals and votives from
GrandifloraRow 4: rose in jar vase from
Danske's flickr, calligraphy by
Laura Hooper, Carmen Marco Valvo dress from
Neiman Marcus, peony and passion flower photo by
Miha Matei, coffee and cherries from
Martha Stewart Weddings10 Ways to Save:1. Use eBay as a resource, as well as flea markets and antique shops. The
sheer curtain is a gorgeous example of what you can do with something as simple as
vintage doilies (Paul Lowe handstitched them to the hem of the curtain). It would be beautiful as a photo backdrop, ceremony backdrop, or a space divider. You can also use doilies to adorn table linens or a
shawl. You can also find vintage cake toppers for as little as $10 on
eBay, and with such a beautiful focal point, you can save by having a simple, otherwise unadorned cake.
2. Choosing one kind of alcohol will help to cut costs - you should be able to get a discount when you buy it by the case. Champagne is the obvious choice, but other
dessert wines would work as well.
3. Invite just your immediate family to your ceremony, and then have the rest of your guests celebrate with you at the reception. City Hall is one choice, but even at a church, in a garden, or on a beach, having a very small ceremony saves you money on flowers, chair rentals, etc.
4. Save by forgoing the sit-down dinner, and instead serve delicate, delicious desserts. You can either set up a gorgeous dessert buffet, or have waiters pass miniature sweets to guests. As with an hors d'oeuvres reception, make sure it is clear to guests that dinner won't be served. End the evening with cups of
fresh coffee paired with an extra little something.
5. This delicate hair pin with netting by
Leah C. fits with the vintage look of this wedding. And at only $65, it's an accessory that won't break the bank.
Etsy is another great resource for handmade, even custom, hair accessories like this
pretty rose head band for only $18.
6. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: lanterns and strings of lights are a lovely and cost-conscious way to decorate, especially outdoors after dark.
7. There's no reason that your wedding budget can't start with the engagement ring, especially when such
stunningly unique pieces are available for as little as $675. And the best thing about these diamond rings? Sarah Perlis makes them from recycled gold and responsibly-mined diamonds.
8. Save by purchasing local chocolates for favors. My favorite truffles,
XOX, are only $8 for 20 in the shop, but about a dollar apiece when they have to be shipped. If you're brave, you can even
make your own.
9.
Rose petals and
tea lights are dramatic, beautiful and inexpensive - use them to line a walkway or decorate a tabletop.
10. Have you always dreamed of wearing a designer gown for your wedding? Then go with a white evening gown instead of a bridal gown. The one in this board by
Carmen Marc Valvo is $1,170. Or how about a
Phillip Lim or
Badgley Mischka for $995.
Bonus Tip: Whether you have 20 guests or 200 at your ceremony, you can limit your number of attendants. This means fewer bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres, not to mention several friends who will love you for not making them wear matching outfits.
Splurges:1. Flowers. Though peonies and passion vines aren't the cheapest blooms, when you have fewer tables to fill, you can afford to use pricier flowers.
2. Calligraphy. For such an elegant evening, it just seems fitting. Cost often depends on how elaborate the style is; this style by
Laura Hooper is
$2.50 per address, which is not as pricey as you might expect. If calligraphy isn't an option for you, why not buy beautiful cards and send guests a hand-written note from you, inviting them to help you celebrate?
Update! If you're not convinced about a dessert reception, you have to see
these photos that
Julie Mikos took of
Barbara Llewellyn Catering's miniature desserts, via
Once Wed.
Update! For more reasonably-priced engagement rings, take a look at what
Sundance has to offer, via
Peonies & Polaroids.
Labels: Budget Friendly Ideas, city hall, green, Inspiration Boards, vintage, white
