Unique Weddings Under $10,000

Venue 3: Backyard Tuscan Feast

Venue: Ask a relative or friend wiht a yard that's large and flat enough to accomodate a tent if you can host the event at her home. Make sure thre's lenty of street parking.
Estimated Cost: $0

Decor: Create a Tuscan-themed dinner with DIY centerpieces. Find old silver candelabras on eBay, and purchase rolls of wired grapevine at panysilk.com. Loosely wrap the grapevine around the cadelabra bases. For more lighting, buy votives and clear holders and scatter them on all flat surfaces--benches, railings, etc.
Estimated Cost: $958

Food: The star of the show is a pig roast. Find a caterer who specializes in barbecue and pig roasts, and who cooks on-site and includes staff in the cost. (Google "barbecue caters" to find one in your area.) Serve tomato-basil salad and potato salad, and place boards of cheeses and bread on the tables with dipping bols of olive oil--buy extra-virgin olive oil at a wholesale club and infuse it with rosemary.
Estimated Cost: $4,330

Drink: Many wholesale clubs stock great wine for $70 a case and good beef for $20 or less a case. Fill aluminum tubs with ice for chilling; bottles of red wine go right on tables.
Estimated Cost: $736

Music: Instead of having live music, customize your tunes by using your laptop and a sound system rented from a local audio company. (Enlist a responsible friend to monitor for playlists.)
Estimated Cost: $165

Rentals: You'll need plenty; tell your rental company up front what you can spend. Basics: a 40-by-60-foot tent (wrap the poles with grapevine); long tables, for family-style seating; chairs; white floor-length linens, for a polished ambience; a cake table; glassware; by your caterer in linenlike dinner napkins tied with ribbon, then add a rosemary sprig to each bundle.
Estimated Cost: $3,808

Total Cost: $9,997

Up Next: Final venue, Tex-Mex Restaurant Dinner

Unique Weddings Under $10,000

Venue 2: Cocktail Party At A Studio or Gallery


Venue: An artist's studio or gallery with architectural features like an open floor plan, brick walls, and big windows offers flexibility and built-in interest. Think beyond the usual party spaces and approach artists or galleries that don't advertise their venues for event rentals; you may snag a great deal!
Estimated Cost: $2,000

Decor: Go for a modern yet ecletic look - think black and white with bold pops of turquoise, lemon, and guava. Add colorful glass pieces like vases in different sizes, which you can find at flea markets or online. Sprigs of yellow oncidium orchids, used sparingly, can add an elegant touch (as well as height) without big cost. Spread a mix of white, black and black-and-white damask linens on bistro tables throughout the room. Add candles in glass holders of different heights, textures and shapes.
Estimated Cost: $840

Food: Tapas stations will entertain your guests and save you space and money by cutting down on formal seating. Choose fun and interactive stations, like salads mixed cocktail-style in shakers and served in martini glasses, and a bar featuring both savory and dessert crepes.
Estimated Cost: $4,200

Drink: A space at which you can provide your own alcohol will save you a fotune and having the bartenders mix drinks to go with each dish will limit the types of alcohol you need. Use three signature drinks to bring in more color - try red cranberry margarita, a blue sapphire cocktail, and fresh lemonade as the non alcholic option.
Estimated Cost: $1,125

Music: A Latin trio will not only create a festive atmosphere which encourages mingling during the cocktail hour, but also put people in the mood for dancing later.
Estimated Cost: $1,200

Rentals: While tall cocktail tables will be a perfect complement to the tapas stations, you'll also want to offer some tradional tables with seating for older guests.
Estimated Cost: $585

Total Estimated Cost: $9950

Up Next: Backyard Tuscan Feast

Unique Weddings Under $10,000

Brides magazine in the June issue covers 4 unique weddings under $10,000





College Campus

Venue: Campus weddings are best in the summer when students have vacated the premises and parking is easier. But think twice about an outdoor reception; it gets more expensive to bring in a tent and all the fixings. Stick to an indoor space (like an alumni or athletic center with banquet facilities) instead. Estimated Cost: $750

Decor: Choose a game day-themed luncheon or if you're not jocks, go with an academic look. Have the florist make arrangements incorporating the school colors, name guests' tables after college courses, and make bookmark favors wiht notes explaningn that a donation has been made to a scholarship fund.
Estimated Cost: $500

Food: Keep it simple and do stationsof your college favorites, such as sliders and fries, nachos, hot wings, and ramen noodles with gourmet toppings. Rent an ice cream cart for dessert.
Estimated Cost: $6,000

Drink: Since it's the middle of the day, guests won't be expecting a full bar - which can save you big bucks. If your gang had a go-to drink back in the day (remember rum and Coke?), resurrect it as a signature cocktail. And have a couple of kegs of beer, which you can serve in cups featuring the school logo.
Estimated Cost: $1,500

Music: You're surrounded by young talent that's hurting for cash. Hire a string quartet or some key members of the college orchestra or band. (Get referrals from the student activities office or the music department.)Put the school song on your playlist.
Estimated Cost: $500

Rentals: Talk to the facilities, admissions, and athletics departments about decor, like banners, that they use for game days or promotional events. Cut down on rentals by using a space that's already outfitted with tables, chairs, and other essentials, to free up your budget so you can splurge on linens. Also put money toward ligting: rent perimeter lights (save by handling pickup, delivery, and setup yourself). They'll help change the room's mood.
Estimated Cost: $300


Total: $9550

Next up: Cocktail Party at a Studio or Gallery

Planning Tips - Flowers

10 Ways to Save on Flowers


1. Stay Seasonal - In-season flowers that are available locally on
your wedding day will be most affordable.

2. Choose simple centerpieces - They'll require fewer flowers and
less labor than ornate arrangements.

3. Marry in a Space - that's already decorated like a flowering
garden or a nursery.

4. Use Flowering Branches - For an altar arrangement, group bundles
of cherry, dogwood, and apple blossoms in urns. YOu'll pay less than half the cost
of big flower arrangements.

5. Share the Cost of Decorations - The bride marrying right before
or after you at your house of worship, may be interested in going halfsies on
ceremony arrangements if you have similar taste.

6. Use Fewer Flowers - and more greens. A few fluffy blooms will go
a long way.

7. Cluster Budget Blooms - Mass together one variety in one color
(such as white chrysanthemums or yellow carnations) for a lush look.

8. Let Them Work Double-Duty - Use the ceremony flowers to decorate
the reception entryway.

9. Avoide Major Holidays - Costs tend to skyrocket around the big
flower-giving celebrations -- Valentine's Day, Easter, and Mother's Day.

10. Have Fewer Attendeants - You'll need fewer personal flowers.

Planning Tips: Guest Transportation

If you're inviting a sizable number of out-of-towners or having a destination wedding, make your guests' stay easier and safer by arranging transportation that takes them from their hotel to the ceremony and reception and back again.

Walk the Walk
If guests are styaing near the ceremony and recption sites -- less thean 10 minutes or a half-mile away -- suggest they walk.

-- Test the route to make sure the distance is really doable. In
deference to your female guests, hike it in heels.

-- Prepare simple maps with approximate walking times, and
distribute them with the programs on your wedding day.

-- Have a backup plan for rain. Hand out the local taxi number, or
arrange for walkers to get lifts from guest with cars.


Booking Basics

Get Referrels- Ask the manager of the hotel where your guests are staying; your wedding planner or banquet-facility manger will also know reputable transportation companies.

Plan Ahead - Book six months before your wedding. Contract the number of seats you'll need, pick up times, the vehicle model, and whether it will be waiting by the venue's front or side door. Reconfirm it all a month before you wed.

Watch the Timing - When deciding on pickup times, be sure to account for potential traffic caused by any local festivals or events, and for the particular speed of your vehicles. Give drivers crystal-clear directions (test them out yourself first).

Tip Wisely - Give the best man $50 for tipping the driver at the end of the evening. A tip may be built into your contract, but its courteous to give extra.

Tell Guests - Give them a heads-up on your Website, or on a separate card mailed with the invitation; ask those interested to RSVP. Later, include info about pickup and drop-off in the welcome bags. Plan on several departures from the receiption, so older guests can leave early if they wish and late-nighters can stay to dance.

Planning Tips - Escort Cards

Five things to know

1. OFTEN CONFUSED WITH PLACE CARDS, escort cards indicate guests' table assignments. (Place cards are found on the tables and tell guests precisely where to sit.)

2. SOME PEOPLE call escort cards "Table-assignment cards" or "seating cards" - use whatever term you like.

3. ARRANGE THE CARDS in alphabetical order of the guests' last names. Positon them near the entrance to the cocktail-hour venue (but not by the door), or in the center of the space, so guests can approach from all sides.

4. FOR A COUPLE, one escort card will do (they'll sit at the same table); otherwise, write out a card for each guest.

5. USE TITLES (such as "Mr. Jonathan Bentley" or "Dr. Janet Webster") at formal weddings, for casual affairs go with first and last names only ("Jonathan Bentley").

information courtesy of Brides Magazine

Modern Wedding Reception by Colin Cowie

A Sexy Space

Choosing a stunning party location like New York City's The Glasshouses (shown here) lets you spend less on decor, because you won't need to haul in lots of trimmings to dress it up.

Juicy Colors
Cowie picked big, bold shades of hot pink and coral to star in this loft cocktail party. He balanced them with lots of white and layered in different tones and patterns, so the result looked modern, not overwhelming.

Splended Tables
Cowie opted for pedestal tables, which, because they're not meant for hours of lingering, encourage people to mingle. Every third one got a fringed skirt, attached to the rental table-cloth with double-sided tape. (Create your own "fringe" with wide satin ribbon.)

"Island White" sofa and ottoman and Olivier side table (for rent); both, Taylor Creative. Pedestal tables, Chiavari bar stools, and white, hot pink, and coral tablecloths; all, Party Rental. Custom orange fringe table skirts, from $150, Circle Visual. White "DIOD" glasses (used as vases for carnations), $1.99 each, IKEA. Rug, Pottery Barn.

Event Design, Colin Cowie for Colin Cowie Weddings. Menu and food presentation, Mary Giuliani Catering and Events. Flowers, Jenevieve Peralta. Photographed at The Glasshouses, New York, NY




Budget Blooms
Cowie used floral Oasis foam to form mod globes of inexpensive carnations. Orchids can send the flower bill sky-high, so he used them only as delicate accents.

White "Butler" tray, $59, West Elm. Glass coupe, $6.99, and orange votive holders, $5 for four; all, Jamali Garden Supplies.




Genius Bar
With stylish drink dispensers, guests can mix their own raspberry lemonade and pomegranate-grapefruit vodka cocktails; not having to pay for a bartender will save money (though you will need someone to straighten up periodically). To add thrill to the chill, we froze kumquats, orchids, and rosemary sprigs inside ice balls: Not only are they pretty, the solid round spheres stay cold longer than regular ice cubes. (To make the ice balls, Cowie used a spherical ice tray set, $16; MOMA.)

Beverage dispensers, $89.95 each, Colin Cowie for HSN; "Mercer" stemless glasses, Party Rental; linen runner, $49, Pottery Barn; acrylic riser, $50, Canal Plastics Center; Oka table (to rent), Taylor Creative



Candyman
Instead of offering the typical help-yourself candy bar, Giuliani suggests having a waiter circulate among the crowd carrying a tray filled with treats, including plenty of prefilled bags so guests don't have to scoop their own.

Custom candy tray, Canal Plastics Center; square stickers in lattice design, $35 for 100, Dabney Lee Stationery; bags, $7.14 for 100, Paper Mart; ribbon, Hanah Silk, Artemis Inc; tangerine soft sour balls, Trolli peach gummy candy, and jellied orange slices; all, Candy Warehouse; dark pink M&M's, Mars.



The Wishing Tree
In lieu of asking your friends to sign a guest book, have them jot down their wishes on hanging tags and sling them on a "tree" made from manzanita branches. For the container, Cowie hot-glued bright pink fabric to a terra-cotta pot, made a square of white fabric tape, and tucked carnation heads into the base. The table runner is accessorized with ribbon attached with fabric glue.

Pink gift tags, $3.50 for 10, Jam Paper & Envelope; white lacquer tumbler (used for pencils), $18, and box for tags, $34; both, Jonathan Adler; linen runner in flax, $49, Pottery Barn; grosgrain ribbon, Midori Ribbon.

Mint Julep Cupcakes

MINT JULEP CUPCAKES
{adapted from Cooking and Booking}

Ingredients:

Cupcakes
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon mint extract
4 eggs
2 3/4 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1/2 cup bourbon (or whiskey)
1/2 cup Creme de Menthe

Icing
3 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon mint extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
milk

*****

Directions:

Cupcakes
Preheat the oven to 350º F, and grease or line 30 cupcake cups.

Combine salt, baking powder, and 1 3/4 cups of the flour. Beat butter, sugar, eggs, and extracts in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in the flour mixture. Add the milk and liquors to the batter, then the rest of the flour (1 cup). Mix as little as possible, just until the batter comes together. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake cups. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Let cool.

Icing
Combine the powdered sugar, salt, extracts and melted butter and beat until creamy. Gradually add milk until the texture is right for piping. When the cupcakes are completely cool, pipe or spread the icing on top. Garnish with cake sparkles or sprinkles, a straw (trimmed to size), and mint leaves.

Fabulous Find

Red Cuisinart® Mix It In™ Soft-Serve Ice Cream Maker--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fully automatic ice cream maker—makes up to 1½ quarts of soft ice cream, yogurt, sorbet or sherbet in as little as 20 minutes. Mixes treats right into ice cream as it’s dispensed—choose one, two or all three. No chemicals, salt or ice required. Cone holder fits flat or pointed cones. Wipe clean. Three-year limited warranty.

Mix It In ice cream maker also available in white.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shop for it at Sur la Table
$99.95

Pink & Yellow Dessert Table

This very cute dessert table comes from the blog Holamama in Spain. Enjoy!

Mother's Day Gift Guide

For a Luxury-Loving Mom…
What could be more indulgent than personalized sheets? These monogrammed, 300-thread-count cotton percale sheets are available in white, green tea, and espresso.
To buy: $59 to $99 per set plus $6 for monogramming, westelm.com.



For an Etiquette-Loving Mom…
You may think handkerchiefs have gone the way of handwritten notes, but Mom may not agree. Send her this embroidered cotton hankie with an accompanying card to show her that she raised you right.
To buy: $10, spoonsisters.com



For a Mom With a Black Thumb…
This cheerful flower kit is the ultimate low-effort garden starter: Open the can, pour in water, and flowers will grow. Choose from four varieties: Pansy, Dahlia, Geranium, or Impatiens.
To buy: $11 each, fredflare.com.



For a Mom Who Needs a Good Laugh…
This book by Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile (authors of I'd Trade My Husband for a Housekeeper) is a quick, quick-witted read of real women’s confessions. One standout: “My kids don’t wear pj’s on school nights. They go to bed in their school clothes so I don’t have to fight with them about their outfits in the morning.”
To buy: $13, amazon.com.

courtesy of Real Simple

Party Idea

Hanging Frames
Have an outdoor soiree in the works? Try creating a bit of drama with one of these hanging frame ideas.







You can see this idea works great for creating a walkway, a 'wall' or backdrop, or a photo opportunity. Just gather some old frames from yard sales, and hang them with ribbon or twine, from trees, tent frames, or a diy pole system. This would be the perfect addition to an engagement party, outdoor wedding, birthday, or family reunion.


courtesy of Celebrations @ Home