True enough that in this hard times, as our money's power to buy shrinks... every spending is lessened to the minimum and practical. This goes the same way with weddings. More and more bride opt for a budget wedding... but indeed, this does not mean that it won't be special. There's definitely a lot of creative ways to do a bride's dream on a budget!

With the uncertainties in the economy, couples are starting to trim down the budget. This includes reducing the number of guests, doing away with expensive favors, among others.

So to cope in this difficult times, Jane Zhang in an article provides these tips.

• Set Priorities
• Consider a Destination Wedding
• Check Out the Parks
• Compare and Bargain
• Rely on your Friends

To view the full details of her tips, visit her article at I Do… For Less. It is a recommended reading if you want to keep your most important event within budget.

Reception

1. Cut the guest list. This will slash your catering costs and save on invitations and even the number of centerpieces.

2. Think off-peak season and save thousands!

3. Hold your ceremony and reception in one spot -- it will cut travel time for vendors you pay by the hour.

4. Skip the Saturday wedding.

5. Have bigger tables so you need fewer centerpieces and tablecloths.

6. Shop the off-season for extra decor -- get modern black vases on sale after Halloween and pretty pink ones after Valentine's Day.

cutting the guest list would make you save a lot. but this would also be extremely stressful especially if you're one in the crowd.

Flowers

7. Use more greenery than flowers.

8. Swap out costly flowers -- did you know peonies can be five times more expensive than roses?

9. Stick to just one or two kinds of flowers.

10. Buy flowers that are in season.

11. Include non-florals, like lanterns.

definitely go for the ones in season. it will save you a bunch. and hunt for that florist!
or, you may opt to get fruits as centerpieces. it would save you a lot especially if your a bride amongst an area of fruits like bananas and pineapples... such vibrant colors.

Food & Drink

12. Serve entree duets.

13. Skip the main course -- apps and drinks are fine too.

14. Offer beer, wine, and a signature cocktail instead of a full bar.

15. Serve comfort foods like barbecue chicken, mac and cheese, and corn. It's fun and often cheaper.

16. Skip the champagne toast.

the usual drinks would do. no need for grand toasts.

Cakes

17. Order a small one or two-tiered cake and then supplement cake with a larger sheet cake (hidden back in the kitchen).

18. Keep the add-ons simple.

19. Use fresh flowers, not sugar ones.

20. Reuse ceremony flowers for the cake table.

21. Skip exotic fillings like guava and mango.

REMEMBER... it doesn't need to be expensive... it just needs to look delicious.

Stationery & Favors

22. Get single-page invites to save on postage.

23. Give out one favor per couple.

24. Make your cake the favors.

25. Have favors double as escort cards.

26. Email your save-the-dates.

27. Make your own menu cards, escort cards, and wedding favor packaging.

printing your own cards would allow you to save a lot. Plus it would inform your guests that you are on a budget.

Photo, Video & Music

28. Have a photographer you love but can't afford the prices? Ask them if they have an associate shooter who will do your wedding for less.

29. Opt for a smaller band.

30. Hire a band or DJ who can do both the ceremony and the reception.

or better yet, get a CD or hook the sound system to your iPOD... who says the music has to be live?

to me, this was probably last year's best wedding in the Philippines... (sorry mar & korina) 

Celebrity couple Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo wed yesterday morning and surprised everyone with a ceremony at the San Juan de Nepomuceno Church at San Juan, Batangas.

The ceremony started at 7 A.M., and by 7:20 P.M., they were pronounced husband and wife. The couple wanted to have a breakfast of tapsilog after the ceremony outside the church, but since they couldn’t at the moment, opted to go to a nearby resort for a breakfast. A reception was held during lunchtime for guests.

All preparations regarding Judy Ann and Ryan’s wedding were kept hush-hush. It had been speculated that they will wed May 2nd. Guests reportedly received an invitation stating ““Eto na. Inuman na. Punta kang nakaputi.” The invitation came with 1/2 of a flipflop pair; the other half the guest will collect at the venue.

... more coming...

who missed last year's mar roxas-korina sanchez wedding?
well, i didn't... sad though that they waited for so long before tying up the knot.

"Korina has always been very clear about how she wanted her dream wedding to be: a showcase of the Philippines’ best. That’s why it was not difficult to take her cue. Mar, on the other hand, just wanted everything to flow well with the “people’s wedding” theme always in mind.  Since the menu for the reception and the execution of the flowers were my main responsibilities, I lost no time sourcing the best, most interesting (some even undiscovered) local artisan produce from all over the country.", writes Margarita A. Fores at Philstar.

A color palette of piña, ecru, ivory, beige, moving to tan, mocha, khaki, cinnamon, raw sienna and brown, then finally ending in the cool shades of dove gray, platinum and anthracite; Filipino stripes and patadyong plaids, as well as delicate embroidery and point d’esprit added texture to their attires.

Korina’s and Gino’s design for turn-of-the-century-inspired flowers at the church, with old-style Filipino rosal, sampaguita, homegrown Japanese lilies, camia clusters, paper roses and Baguio roses allowed for the perfect scale when juxtaposed against the imposing scale of the church.

The sweet kakanin passed around in native bilao and woven trays consisted of Silay senoritas, galletas and bañadas from Negros, pili macaroons from Cely Montelibano and mini bukayo from Lolinia Juarez, from the Ma-ao market.  

the newlyweds riding in a vintage convertible as they wove through the crowded streets of Quezon City on the way back to Bahay na Puti.

And the rest of the wedding and salu-salo is history.

wait! who could forget the padyak? ^^<

1. Be PLAYFUL
creating new memories while sharing old ones is a very special experience.
If you want specific things to happen in your event... Make lists so you don t forget the key things that may be important to you. Make sure that you inform your wedding supplier, like your coordinator and photographer.

2. Get CREATIVE invitations and favors
Your wedding favors should be extraordinary, coordinating with your theme and expressing both your personalities.
You can write a personal message with your favors and package  them in a beautiful  box tied with ribbon,  or in a mini champagne glass.

3. Choose a PERSONAL  Wedding theme
It may be a season or personal traditions or cultural theme or any of your favourite things... The possibility is endless  depending on your imagination... And yes,  your resources as well.

3. Honor your CULTURES
this is a good way to own your wedding especially if you re a mix of cultures or if you live in a place of different culture.

4. Choose stylish TRAVEL
Travel in style on your wedding day. Why not arrive in an antique car or exotic limousine or better yet a cultural or themed ride like the calesa or horse?

5. PERSONALIZE your menu & decor
Find a venue that would fit your theme and don t forget to choose the right person to work with.
Coordinate your menu and decor to your theme.
And make sure to give yourself enough time to pull everything together... Else, you d end up frustrated.

6. CREATE treasure mementos & gifts
Creating a mini event at your wedding  can provide a memorable experience  for your guests, plus unique mementoes.