It's no secret that weddings are big business. Gowns and bridesmaid's dresses alone account for more than $1.3 billion changing hands yearly, according to Individual Investor magazine. But while a gown becomes top priority approximately five seconds after a woman says "yes," there are countless other details to consider. Unless a couple is independently wealthy or pays strict attention to the mounting costs, impending nuptials can lead to impending debt.
Fortunately, the do-it-yourself concept that raised an entire industry, from hardware conglomerates like Home Depot to lifestyle guru's like Martha Stewart, is a viable solution for controlling wedding costs. Adding personal touches to the affair is an affordable way to design an elegant wedding."It (the do-it-yourself approach) is important, which is why we have more than gown patterns in our bridal line," says Emily Cohen, manager of education and promotion for McCall's Pattern Company. McCall's offers a veil package (#2057) with eight designs plus a pattern for accessories (#2058) includes a ring bearer's pillow, shoe clips, floral arrangements and gift ideas. Cohen suggests the bride use leftover lace from her gown to make various accessories; it saves on expenses and ties the whole theme together.
A truly memorable ceremony is one that reflects you and your future spouses' individual taste and is not a cookie cutter event struggling to include all the trappings. Taking control of the details and relying on your own talent will allow you, as a couple, to set a realistic budget and actually meet it. In many cases, you can also enlist skilled friends and family members.
Sue Hausmann, senior vice president of consumer motivation and education for Viking Sewing Machines Inc., and her husband Herb worked together on their future daughter-in-law's wedding gown. After the bride-to-be presented them with a magazine clipping of a dress she liked, Herb set to work using PC software from Husqvarna Viking and created a-one-of-a-kind embroidery for the waistband of the dress and her veil. Sue then constructed the gown, adapting the sleeves to give the bride exactly what she had envisioned.
"The gown will become a family heirloom and the fact I was able to embroider the accents allows me to contribute to its heritage as well," says Herb Hausmann.
Whether you and your husband-to-be passions are sewing, flower arranging or calligraphy, there are a myriad of ways to incorporate the do-it-yourself (or do-it-with-loved ones) concept into creating a cost-effective wedding to remember.
Consider the following:
- First things first. Pick a date other than the second Saturday in June. In all likelihood, the more popular dates will run into higher costs for halls, musicians, photographers and caterers. A weekday in the winter or even a Friday evening in the summer could translate into significant discounts.
- It's inviting. Take a course in calligraphy and design your own announcements, shower invitations and thank you notes.
- An intimate affair. Is it really necessary that you include the new girl in accounting or the guy that details your fiancee's car? Pare down your invitation list and share the day with those closest to the two of you.
- Timing is everything. Lunch menus at hotels and banquet halls are generally less expensive than dinner menus. Why not have a mid-morning wedding with an afternoon luncheon? Your honeymoon could start that much sooner.
- Take advantage of that green thumb. You won't be able to spend the evening before your wedding making bouquets, but nowhere is it written that you can't supply your own flowers. There is endless potential in a spring bulb garden, a lilac bush or even ferns and ivy. And while you may want a full bouquet, a single iris or lily works beautifully for attendants. For a fall wedding, consider pumpkins and colorful leaves as table decorations. Be creative.
- Something borrowed. Don't take this tradition lightly. Family treasures including cake toppers, champagne flutes, jewelry or even a veil depending on its condition not only saves money, they add a touch of sentiment to the affair.
- Consider a local college. Universities can be a virtual gold mine of talent. Many aspiring photographers, musicians and singers will jump at the chance for real-life experience and charge less than professionals.
- Constructive thinking. Today's wedding gowns are predominately clean-line silhouettes with touches of embellishment. A sprinkling of pearls or embroidered sash is trim enough for a sophisticated look. Translation: there's very little keeping you from constructing your own gown or having one made. Computerized sewing machines with embroidery capabilities, like the mid-priced Husqvarna Viking Rose, enable you to design or select specific embroideries to grace not only your gown, but also every element of your wedding. On her web site, www.bridal.com, Alicyn Wright, bridal designer for McCall's Pattern Company shares information on selecting fabrics, construction and appropriate styles for individual figure types, as well as tips for making each one of the McCall's patterns she designed.
- Sew much more. Once the machine is set up, consider personalizing gifts such as linen guest towels for the wedding party. Cover an inexpensive journal with scraps from your gown to serve as a guest book. Create an envelope purse or Victorian-look drawstring bag to elegantly carry a few bridal essentials. The ring bearer's pillow, the garter, even the flower's girl dress can be made, again carrying the same embellishments accenting your
dress, instead of purchased for a significant savings.
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