We thought we'd heard it all, but now this: Renting plastic wedding cakes?
It seems that these tough economic times have pushed some engaged couples to scale back elaborate wedding plans and to get creative when it comes to throwing a wedding reception. Instead of spending enormous amounts of money on a fancy wedding cake, you can rent a plastic cake (online) that has a small real cake on top, and then serve cheaper sheet cake to guests, or have a pastry bar.
Couples aren't necessarily changing the type of wedding and reception, but simply find less-expensive ways to have the wedding and reception they want. This can mean having family members put their talents to work (table centerpieces, floral arrangements, decorating the reception location) or asking them to contribute to the food (potluck weddings are back!). The guideline is that you're supposed to ask only people close to you to contribute in this manner (in lieu of a gift)--people who would be happy to contribute to the day, but not every guest should be asked to participate that way.
Other cost-saving measures have included allowing bridesmaids to wear dresses they already own (the identical-dress-thing is a relatively new phenomenon) and having the groomsmen wear their own suits rather than rent tuxes, and even cutting back on the size of the wedding party. Reception music can come from an ipod instead of a DJ, craigslist has become a source for finding used wedding gowns, and perhaps the most common practice is for couples to design and print their own wedding invitations at home.
One bride, who works in theatre, referred to her wedding as a "play" when speaking with potential vendors and got lower prices offered to her as a result.
One of the most common cost-saving measures has been to rely on guests' digital camera photos, rather than hire an expensive wedding photographer or photojournalist. (We won't go into how that's hurting professional photographers!)
Our conclusion: We hope these practices remain even after the economy bounces back, because they add a more personal touch to weddings and put the focus on what's most important about that one day: The coming together of friends and family to witness two loved ones getting married.
~Contributed by Angela~
"One bride, who works in theatre, referred to her wedding as a "play" when speaking with potential vendors and got lower prices offered to her as a result."
On an etiquette site I belonged to, there was a woman who worked in event planning. She told the group that hotels, halls, and other event locations have a regular price list for events and a "wedding price list." In most cases, there is no difference in the services provided; the only difference is the word "wedding." Put that word in front of anything, and the retailer or service provider suddenly charges double.
No wonder the industry is a billion-dollar business.
Posted by: BellaSera | July 22, 2008 at 01:42 PM