Reception help

Cricket127

Hello all! I thought I would get a good idea of some of the smaller items needed for a good reception and I got an eye opener! I went to Michaels Arts and Crafts store and took down some prices for a few items such as ring bearer pillows, Unity candles and stands, cake cutters, and guest books and Pen. When I tallied it up, the price came out to being around $190! I realize that some of these items one can get second hand or perhaps borrow but is there another store where I could get some more quotes or a site perhaps? Thanks! Sarah

trix1223

Actually, you can skip most of those items, and they won't be missed.  It's pretty rare where we are for the RB to actually carry the rings.  Usually the best man and/or MOH carry rings.So if you must have an RB, he can just walk down the aisle.  Or he can carry something he already has:  a teddy bear, a little truck, a baseball glove, or a little throw pillow from any store (Target, HomeGoods~it doesn't have to be an "official RB" pillow)A "Unity Candle" is nothing more than a candle with a bigger pricetag on it.  Buy a pillar candle for $2.50 when they're on sale, add two $.99 pillars, and voila, you have a unity candle set.  My guess is that you even have candle holders at home, but it not, you can but them on sale at Michael's for under $2 ea. also.Ask your venue if they have a cake cutter.  If not, ask your mom, FMIL, an Aunt, grandma.  They probably all have one.My DD made a book on shutterfly using pictures of them, their dogs, their friends and family.  For under $20 they had a great book that they had everyone sign "yearbook" style, and it's a nice keepsake.But here's the bottom line:  the wedding industry feeds off of couples who are in the excitement of planning.  They have magazines, websites, and tv shows, and bridal expos that exist solely for the purpose of convincing you that you must have "thus and so" or your wedding won't be beautiful, memorable, creative, personal, unique, or wonderful.Your wedding will be beautiful, memorable, creative, personal, unique AND wonderful because it's yours.All of the things you listed are single use items, and thus are budget busters.  And if you don't have them at all, you'll still be happily, deliriously married at the end of the day.GL

munkii

IF you want these items, sign up for Michaels' emails.  You'll get coupons almost weekly for 40-50% off one item, and you can generally print out more than one.  It just means you won't buy everything at once.

mbcdefg

You could really skip all of this stuff, if you truly want to save money:Ring bearers almost never carry the real rings. They're primarily in the wedding to look cute. So he can just walk down the aisle with nothing, or maybe with the actual ring box in his hands.Unity candle - make your own with cheap tapers and pillar candles. Look in thrift shops for the holder. Or skip the ritual since it's not a requirement. Cake cutter - borrow from a loved one, use what the hall has, or put it on your registry and hope someone buys it for you.Guest book - people may not even sign it. Or buy a cheap scrapbook. Or buy a coffee table book and people can sign around the pictures. Pen - it's a PEN. You don't need to buy a pen. Surely you've got a pen laying around the house, no?If you really must have these things, try eBay or the Trash To Treasure board, or thrift stores.

Da0419

I completely agree with everyone.  But if you do have your heart set on buying wedding designated things, try save-on-crafts dot com or Hobby Lobby.  Hobby Lobby has their bridal collection on sale for half off a lot of times (right now, actually).  I'm making our ring pillow from the extra length of my bridesmaids' dresses.  We bought our unity candle set from Hobby Lobby when it was half off, it cost less than $10.  I think we may borrow our cake server because, really, what do you use them for after the wedding?  We're having a photobooth, so the guest book is included in the package and so are the pens.I think you just need to get a little creative; it will save you a bunch of money!

mbcdefg

Try Craigslist and yard sales and thrift shops as well. People are always dying to get rid of things like that after their weddings. Or see if anyone on your local board is selling them ... or a club board that's marrying before you.