Fire up the creative juices ladies. . I need your

**sunshine** · 11-05-2005, 11:34 PM

Doug is coming home for Christmas! And getting married while he's home :O

So. .. the wedding colors are ice blue/silver. . . snow/winter theme. . .

I need help with ideas for decorations, favors, anything! The bride to be, is over whelmed right now. (and so am I!)

**voodidit** · 11-06-2005, 12:46 AM

orientaltrading.com has some cute wedding favors and they are really cheap.

**SHOPGIRL** · 11-06-2005, 01:32 AM

I used little white boxes put candy inside and tied it with a ribbon. I used these on the tables and it added a decorate touch. If you decide to use little favor boxes, pm me and I can get you some for a good price.

**daddys3chicks** · 11-06-2005, 02:32 AM

Here are a few sites that might spark some ideas:

http://www.wedcraft.com/

http://www.orientaltrading.com/otcwe...=342697&tabId=

You could use some of this lame scrunched in the center of the tables and add snowflake confettie glitter.

http://www.fabric.com/apparel-fashio...-lame-39-.aspx

http://www.orientaltrading.com/otcwe...l&N=0&x=9&y=13

Here is some tulle that comes in silver, blue etc: which could be used for may things:

http://www.fabric.com/apparel-fashio...le-fabric.aspx

These are pricey, but maybe you can get an idea from them - they would be really easy to make cheaper:

http://www.caketoppers.com/ppw947.htm

**graci42** · 11-06-2005, 08:55 AM

I don't know what the material is called, but I used a fine mesh/netting (1 yard), appropriately coloured ribbon and pinking shears to make my favors...Filled w/butter mints and used silver "wedding bands" to complete. I think the butter mints were the most expensive part.

Went to $ store and purchased candles and glass candle holders for tables (center pieces) and a container of faux petals to throw across the tables. Crepe paper twisted down center of table in appropriate colours and disposable paper table clothes. Add a few balloons for the kids. The Centerpieces also became gifts to the sister in laws. They loved them!

We placed a table skirt around the bridal table and used our "Unity Candle" as the center piece w/ smaller candles on either side.

We didnt' rent a DJ. Dh recorded 2 discs to be played during our reception. We had fun, but it took out the "spontinaty (spelling) of having an actual DJ.

Our reception was inexpensive...Renting the hall and the food cost the most. But everyone enjoyed themselve and we weren't bankrupted...hehehe

Graci

**justmeD** · 11-06-2005, 09:01 AM

Oh my goodness, how exciting Sunshine!

Small and simple is the key to keeping costs down.

For Favors, my dh designed pretty bookmarks and had the printer make a whole bunch. We hole punched the bookmarks, we added a satin ribbon and had them in a basket for our guests to take with them. It was CHEAP and I remember for months afterwards, we'd see them sticking out of people's Bible at church!

Our church was already decorated so we only had to get a few potted plants to adorn the alter- all white flowers.

I made my own bouquet with beautiful white and peach roses and picture wire. My bouquet was a ball of roses, so pretty.

I am sure your future DIL is overwhelmed, what she needs to do is get it all down on paper. have her write it all out because she may be more overwhelmed then even needed.
Have her put all the to do things and write down the plan of action, etc...when she comes to something she has no idea about, maybe she can assign that to someone to help. Example, if she has NO idea about say pictures- maybe that can be her Mom, Sister, best friends Job to help her get numbers etc...

I found the VERY best thing was to sit down with my MIL, SIL, dh and BIL and just brainstorm. We'd think of something and then someone would think of an even more frugal option, etc...and it really calmed my nerves to know i wasn't in it alone.

I'm rambled enough. Please keep us updated, i'm so excited for your family.

**Mom23boys** · 11-06-2005, 11:16 AM

How exciting! Congratulations to Doug and his bride-to-be!

Check out consignment shops, thrift shops, the local newspaper ads and your relative's and friends attics for a wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses.

Make everything yourself that you can.

Flowers are such a big expense. Your bridemaids can carry a single rose in the color that matches. (This is very elegant) The men can also have a single sweetheart rose bouteneer to match w/ just a little baby's breath.

Bridal bouquet: Go silk! You can get the base at a place like Walmart, and most Dollar stores or Big Lots have silk flowers. You can add things like pearl sprigs etc. which you will pay a little more for at Walmart, but it makes your less expensive base flowers look nicer. Plus, if you have pre-bridal picts. taken, you can use your actual bouquet in these picts., since it will not wilt.

Invitations: buy nice paper & print your own on your computer if you have a program already for it. You can add your own little pieces of ribbon tied in a tiny bow etc. to dress them up. ON RSVP you can also put a phone # on it instead of buying stanps for all of them. Let your answering maching pick up for them to leave a message, & write that on the RSVP.

**Katybird** · 11-06-2005, 11:37 AM

Denise, that is such wonderful news. I am so happy that he is getting to come home and what an exciting suprise that the marriage will be. I am just thrilled for all of you! It seems like just yesterday he was in high school and you were telling us about him and now here he is a grown man getting married. Time does fly by doesn't it?

Are there any wedding rental sites near where you live? I know in some areas that there are rental businesses that will rent most of what you need. It would be much cheaper than purchasing it. I have also seen some beautiful wedding cake toppers and other wedding items on eBay that were reasonably priced.

Again, congratulations to all! I am so happy for all of you.

**duckduckgoose007** · 11-06-2005, 11:54 AM

We went to a Wedding awhile back & the favors were tiny jars of homemade jam, tied with a gold ribbon & tag attached with our names.

The Groom to be made the jam, everyone was tickled pink.

It sure was different.

**staceyy** · 11-06-2005, 12:03 PM

I read in a wedding magazine where one bride to be enrolled all of her bridesmaids in a floral class at her local crafts store ( with their permission of course ) and they then did all of the floral arrangements for the wedding. The same can be done for the favors by enrolling in a crafts class.

**Mumzy** · 11-06-2005, 12:12 PM

for favors, I think simple decorated glass Chirstmas ornaments would be beautiful.

**justmeD** · 11-06-2005, 01:01 PM

oh my goodness- I had forgotten about a Christmas ornament as a favor! YES!

**Jerseygirl** · 11-06-2005, 03:53 PM

The clear glass ornaments are generally onsale for less than $1 each, I put sand and tiny shells in mine, then top with raffia, for your theme you can go easy and put a bit of blue and white or silver paint inside and shake, the colors come out beautifully. You could probably put a bit of ribbon on the top with hot glue. Look for the $1 ornament stands and see how they would look grouped as the centerpiece, maybe with a large candle in the center for some height. Where are you having the reception? They might have silver candelabras you can use or rent.
Oriental trading has a great selection of blue and silver snowflake gift bags, candy bags etc. AC Moore and Rag Shop have little wooden snow flakes that can be painted white then finished with a product called Diamond dust for some sparkle, diamond dust is like a more adult type of glitter, a little more tasteful, very nice at the holidays. Please keep us updated!!! I am very excited about this now!

**Michelle** · 11-06-2005, 04:13 PM

Originally posted by Mumzy
for favors, I think simple decorated glass Chirstmas ornaments would be beautiful.

Especially if they were snowflakes

Congratulations to Doug, Denise. You must be so excited

**sunshine** · 11-06-2005, 06:17 PM

Excited? I'm stunned !

Her parents aren't helping with the wedding at all. . . they don't approve of my son, and they refuse to even come to the wedding. . so no help from them in planning or paying for all of this.

I'm not sure if I order from Oriental trading or ebay, if I can get the items in time. . we are seriously short of that in this case. . . .

We bought her dress yesterday-- not cheap, but not extravagant either. . . . got the bridesmaid's dresses at DEB incredibly. They are graded shades of blue-- from the palest powder blue, to almost navy. . . with rhinestone accents.

We picked up some "do it your self" invitatons at Factory Card outlet. . . . Any one know where I can find poems or sayings for the invites?

I also grabbed some silver wire edged ribbon at Factory Card Outlet. . . will drape it down the center of white covered tables. . .using ice blue napkins/paper plates, clear utentils.

We're thinking- clear bowls with dark blue, light blue, silver ornaments and twinkle lights for table settings.

Favors-- maybe Hershey kiss roses in blue satin or blue cellophane, if I can find it.

I love the bookmark idea-- wish I had a decent picture of the two of them together to use on it.