HELP! I just want some advise?
September 27th, 2009anotheronebitesadust2005 asked:
My daughter is getting married oct 3, 2009 and she wants a simple outdoor wedding. But she wants me to plan the whole thing. She has already picked her colors. Put i have never done anything like this and was hoping someone can help me with ideas. There will be about 20 people max , and i have no idea how i am supose to decorate, She wanted us to have like a cookout/wedding . And she wants a small cake, ( which by the way i am supose to make for her). And to beat it all i don’t have a large budget. So i guess what i am asking is how and what do i need to do to keep it simple, cheap, and still give her a little wedding? Thank you
Baby Sleep Tonight
My daughter is getting married oct 3, 2009 and she wants a simple outdoor wedding. But she wants me to plan the whole thing. She has already picked her colors. Put i have never done anything like this and was hoping someone can help me with ideas. There will be about 20 people max , and i have no idea how i am supose to decorate, She wanted us to have like a cookout/wedding . And she wants a small cake, ( which by the way i am supose to make for her). And to beat it all i don’t have a large budget. So i guess what i am asking is how and what do i need to do to keep it simple, cheap, and still give her a little wedding? Thank you
Baby Sleep Tonight
September 30th, 2009 at 7:02 am
My suggestion? An elopement.
If on a budget, send the couple here for wedding and honeymoon
They could get the Simplicity Special that is going on right now for $249.
Give them a little extra money so they can get a hotel room for two or three nights for the honeymoon.
Then have a casual, celebratory cookout or barbecue a week after their return from the honeymoon. Get them a wedding cake from the grocery store bakery . . . if you don’t feel like baking.
I imagine this all can be done for $1000 or less. If you give them $600 for wedding and honeymoon, that leaves you $400 for the at-home barbecue reception. And not much decorating will need to be done for the casual reception.
October 1st, 2009 at 1:52 pm
It sounds like she is being reasonable. Start by making a guest list. Keep it as small as possible. You don’t have to serve fancy food. Just tea sandwiches, cake and punch will be fine. Most supermarkets will supply a wedding cake at a reasonable cost if you don’t want to bake one. Craft stores such as Michael’s have all kinds of wedding decorations. Ask a consultant in the store for ideas. They can probably show you pictures of wedding decor. You can also buy a bridal magazine for ideas.
You can also get flowers at the supermarket or perhaps someone with a garden can supply them.
It should be a lovely small wedding. Give all the guests disposable cameras so there will be lots of pictures.
October 4th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Sounds like you have an ungrateful, unappreciative little BTCH on your hands. We all know how that happened.
It is her wedding. If she can’t take major responsibility for much of it, she has a problem and you need to sit her down and tell her so.
Together, make a list of what has to be done and when. You are not responsible for all of it. If she has friends, maid of honor, etc., they should be taking on things like decorations, etc.
For the small cost, you might have the local bakery make the cake. Where is it written that you must do it ???
I tell you, truly, she is already horribly overindulged an if she doesn’t grow up soon, the marriage won’t last but a year – if that.
October 5th, 2009 at 11:21 am
First of all, take a deep breath! It sounds like she’s not being picky about what she wants to have done, so you pretty much have free reign. Start with the W’s:
You already know WHO and WHEN, so the next question is WHERE. Do you have space at your home? If not, many parks will let you rent a picnic pavilion or shelter for a nominal fee.
Food: this is easy. I would suggest making kabobs, because you can make them up in advance, and you don’t have to spend much time doing anything to them on the day. Just have someone grill them, maybe the father of the groom? These won’t cost much money.
For decorations, get tablecloths, plates, napkins, etc, at a party supply store. Again, not expensive. Even some dollar stores carry these items. You could do balloons (easy & cheap), or purchase twinkle lights to put up in the trees or bushes.
Cake: I would probably rather spend the money to buy a cake then to make one myself. Most grocery stores have very good cakes and it’s easier to purchase one than to make one. They will also have the resources to make the cake in the colors your daughter has chosen.
I agree with another poster who mentioned the disposable cameras. This will be much cheaper than hiring a photographer. Bring in some mixed CDs for background music, and make sure she has something old, new, borrowed & blue!
Also, it’s perfectly acceptable for you to ask the groom’s parents for help. The reception is for their son, too. Most of all, have fun with this! Good luck!
October 8th, 2009 at 1:44 am
Do you know the location? I performed a wedding last fall – it was in the parent’s backyard. The couple stood under an arch and there were white folding chairs for the ‘audience’
This couple went a little more formal and used the good china/crystal (I think it was mom’s), the tables were set up on the patio, and the food was brought in from a restaurant they liked.
Very minimal decoration as the yard itself was beautiful.
October 8th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
First and foremost, have fun! I know it probably seems tough, but it’s important! The first step is to take inventory of what you already have available to you, such as enough tables and chairs, and location. Be sure to use all of your resources.
*Does a member of the wedding party have a backyard where both the wedding and reception will fit? Further does someone have enough matching plates and glasses to make the event elegant. Also consider borrowing items such as tablecloths, and napkins when you can. Look for items on sale where available. While you might be having a backyard cookout, it’s still a wedding and you want it to be tasteful. Be creative, check out sites such as or for lots of do-it-yourself ideas to keep costs down (invitations, centerpieces). Check out your local craft stores, such as Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, or Joann if you have them, often they have coupons and run weekly specials to help you save.
Good luck planning the event!