I heard an associate was getting married and wanted to know some ways to cut the cost. After watching the videos about Shawn and Colleen's romantic – yet economical – wedding brought to mind my son's wedding.
Although they lived in New Orleans, LA my son, Chris and Polly wanted to have the wedding in Maryland near their family and friends. Horrified at the high wedding boutique prices, he trusted me to know where to get the best bargains. When they arrived at my house a day before the wedding, he asked where to get some inexpensive decorations, so the first place I suggested was the Dollar Tree store.
As they started down the flower aisle, he hurried back to grab a cart in addition to the basket Polly had. They had been to the bridal boutiques at home but were simply amazed at the bargains available at the dollar store. He showed me a set of six mini bubble blowing containers and as he put a dozen packages in the cart, saying that it would cost them over five times the price at a wedding store. They were sharing all kinds ideas as they went down the store isles, like kids in a candy shop.
The wedding theme was "romantic renaissance" and the colors were emerald green and white, so they had no problem finding just what they wanted. Since their friend's yard, where the wedding was going to be held, had a pool his inspiration for romantic lighting came from the hobby section where he found hand sized scallop shells that he could put tea light candles in, secured with natural pebbles, to float in the pool.
Polly found a variety of ivy vines with white flowers and pillar candles to decorate as table centerpieces. She got extra ivy, flowers, wire and ribbon to create flowered swags and period headbands for her and the bridesmaids.
Some of the supplies really let their creativity flow. Chris got dozens of long wooden dowels and natural twine, then holding three dowels together in his hand showing Polly how they would make a great high tripod base for a large pillar candle to light the way down the aisle. The ivy vine and ribbon she held up next to it would be the perfect finishing touch. They bought enough for a dozen lit tripods to line the walkway to the alter. The thought of ordering the same thing through the wedding boutique made them cringe. They went up and down the aisles filling the cart and basket, exclaiming that the savings would really let them splurge on their honeymoon.
Chris was beaming when they left the dollar store "Mom, I knew you would know where to get just what we needed." Actually, I never knew the dollar store had so many things that could be used for a wedding.
They received so many compliments on the beautiful decorations they put together that looked so elegant and well thought out. Their guests would have never guessed that their supplies were in a dollar store the day before!