The Citizen, 2006-02-09, Page 29Bart DeVries
Photography
Make sure you'll remember
this day for the rest of your
life with beau-
tiful, profes-
sional pho-
tography!
249 Andrew St., Exeter
(519) 235-1298
bid@cabletv.on.ca
We do passport photos
Call for an appointment at
Bart DeVries Photography today!
519-235-1298
Weadeo, ilettletteltv
gift Steu
Proudly presents
their Sparkling Selection of
Diamond Engagement Rings
Wedding Bands & Anniversary Rings
All At Sale Prices
Visit our huge gift store
where we can give you great gift ideas
for your wedding party and wedding accessories
Sale prices always given
Bridal Registry Available
Mildmay Mount Forest
367-5357 Est. 1884 323-1313
,7foev lo plan for your special okay on a gad:ye/
From ice sculptures to fancy
stretch limos to a wedding dress that
costs more than your mortgage pay-
menf - with all these wedding temp-
tations, how can you possibly stay
on budget and still have the wedding
of your dreams?
Wedding experts offer the follow-
ing tips to keep your budget in-
check:
Borrow what you can. Know a
friend, neighbour or family member
who recently got married? Ask to
borrow their cake server, wedding
slip, veil, headpiece, centrepiece
items or even wedding dress.
Become centrepiece savvy. Use
candles to spice up centrepieces,
such as using votives on top of a mir-
ror with small accents of flowers or
balloons. Have bridesmaids use their
bouquets as reception centrepieces,
and your wedding ceremony flowers
can pull double-duty, too.
Or pile nicely wrapped favours in
a bowl or basket at the centre of each
table.
Factor in the season, day and time.
Avoid the busy summer wedding
months or the holidays, when prices
can be 10 per cent higher. Winter
weddings - January through March -
tend to provide the best deals.
Consider planning your wedding
on a day other than Saturday to save
money, too: Fridays evenings and
Sunday afternoons are popular alter-
natives. Receptions earlier in the day
tend to be cheaper than a dinner buf-
fet or a five-course sit-down dinner,
so -consider an afternoon tea, cock-
tail reception, lunch or brunch.
Shop the bargains. Many websites,
such as eBay, offer discounted new
and used party favours, ring-bearer
pillows, guestbooks, etc.
Attend bridal shows to collect spe-
cial savings coupons for bargains on
wedding vendors and rentals. Some
Axes may offer discounts for multi-
ple purchases - such as discounts on
your bridesmaid dresses, veil and
shoes when you buy your wedding
dress there, also.
Look to cheaper alternatives for
invitations. Thermography typeset is
less expensive than engraved invita-
tions. Also be sure to watch the
weight of your invitations - from the
size of the paper to all of your enclo-
sures - so you don't have to double
up on stamps. Consider designing
and printing invitations and pro-
grams yourself to cut costs.
You might opt for cheaper, plain-
style wedding invitations and then
embellish them by adding ribbon,
lace or silk, or dried flowers, say
experts.
Get gown savvy. Watch the sales,
and buy off the rack. Scout sample
sales where you can nab dresses for
25 to 95 per cent off regular
prices.
Flower power. Consider using silk
flowers, which often can be cheaper
than real ones and can even be
reused to decorate your home. Mix
in berries, fruit or greenery fillers to
create large centrepieces or bouquets
at lower costs, and use flowers that
are in-season.
Try a grocery store's flower
department, which might offer better
deals than regular florists. Another
way to spruce up your locale:
Borrow plants or trees from friends,
or rent them from a florist.
Affordable photography. Find a
photographer who will let you keep
your negatives. That way you can
avoid paying high prices for reprints
or enlargements.
Hire a capable photography col-
lege student, but evaluate the quality
of the student's work first.
Fancying food. Instead of serving
lobster and shrimp, make less expen-
sive foods fancier. Ask the caterer
what other affairs' menus they are
preparing on the same day and if you
can serve the same items.
Caterers might be able to order
and charge for the food at discount-
ed bulk rates.
Page 4. The Citizen. Brides and Grooms. 2006