Mood: jitterbug and soda pop
Palette: cherry red, whipped cream

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Top row from left: retro-inspired invitation by Ello There, cherry cocktail from Tartelette, vintage paper honeycomb bells, soda fountain kiss photo by Megan W
Row 2: cherry cupcakes by La Ciliegina Sulla Torta, simple white bouquet with red striped ribbon photo by Angela and Evan via Delightfully Engaged, lemon meringue pie from Martha Stewart, In-N-Out burger photo by Jonathan Canlas
Row 3: red dahlia centerpieces from Martha Stewart Weddings, vintage Coca-Cola bottles photo by 1313 Photography via Southern Weddings, bride and groom at jukebox photo by Megan W

The Idea:  With a fifties  theme, it makes sense to wear a short dress, serve burgers, and decorate with paper bells… just so happens those are all budget-friendly ideas!

The Paper:  Etsy is an amazing resource for all kinds of things, including charming and affordable wedding invitations. One of my favorite vendors is Ello There, and their vintage record sleeve invite would be perfect for this wedding theme (at $6.50, it costs a little more than the one pictured in this inspiration board, but for such a custom look I’d say it’s a steal!).

The Fashion:  Go retro and save! Scour vintage shops (Meg found her dress for $250 at the last minute!), sites like Posh Girl Vintage and Mill Crest Vintage, or Etsy shops like The Vintage Studio and Salvage Life. Or you could go vintage-inspired with a new dress from Dolly Couture or, if you’re splurging, Stephanie James Couture. And how about a sassy ponytail that you can DIY?

The Decor:  If you can find a fifties-style diner for your retro reception, then you’re all set! If not, dress up the space with inexpensive honeycomb bells, paper garlands, and tissue fans for a perfectly vintage look.

The Flowers:  Monochromatic arrangements deliver a visual punch, and can be created with any number of less expensive flowers. Find cylinder vases or drinking glasses on the cheap at Jamali Garden Supply or IKEA. For your bouquet, the same trick applies: bunch lots of inexpensive flowers of one color, and tie them when a bold striped ribbon.

The Food:  Burgers and fries are a great way to keep costs down, and they’re a perfect fit for this fifties-themed wedding reception. Find out if local burger joints will cater – they may even have a cute food truck to bring to your venue! Soda in glass bottles adds a touch of nostalgia, and diner-inspired desserts (like lemon meringue pie and chocolate layer cake) will be cheaper than a traditional wedding cake.

Other Details:  Small details like striped paper straws add a fun retro touch, and are only $6 for a box of 144 from Sur La Table. Something to consider is a vintage jukebox rental. In addition to a DJ or band, it’s a fun detail that your guests will love, and in place of other music, it’s a budget-friendly way to play some golden oldies.

It might not be the most formal wedding, but I do love this playful vintage look. What do you think? Want more budget-friendly ideas? Click right here!

If you like this budget-friendly inspiration board, you might also like:

Board #356: Fiesta Means Party
Board #186: Casual Dinner
Board #274: Playful!

This article was originally posted on Snippet & Ink.

Mood: laid back garden party
Palette: poppy red, grass green, paper white

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Top row from left: vintage seed packet save-the-dates from Martha Stewart Weddings, photo of Saja wedding dress by Jose Villa, potted geranium and butterfly escort cards both from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 2: Post Office with flowers photo by Meg Baisden, cocktail photo by Simply Jessie via Elizabeth Anne Designs, sweet pea bouquet and red poppy dress both from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 3: rubber stamped invitations by Antiquaria for Oh So Beautiful Paper, geranium boutonniere by Chelsea Fuss for Once Wed, picnic lunch from Martha Stewart Weddings, strawberry buttercream cake via Whisk Kid

I’ve said it before, and it’s still true: in an alternate universe, my wedding would have been a picnic wedding. For this inspiration board, I imagined a picnic lunch for garden lovers – perfect for a spring or summer party.

The Idea:  Choose a lovely garden venue during warm-weather months, and invite guests to a relaxed picnic wedding.

The Paper:  Get creative with rubber stamps! There are some great tutorials over on Oh So Beautiful Paper of ways to use custom and pre-made stamps, and if you’re feeling really crafty, you can use them to create butterfly-silhouette place cards or save-the-dates. The other idea here that I love is to incorporate vintage seed packets into your stationery, or maybe as favors? They really set the tone for a retro-inspired garden party. A Google image search will turn up seed packet printables, or you can find the real thing on eBay or Etsy.

The Fashion:  This pretty chiffon dress by Saja is only $810, and would be especially lovely paired with a sun hat. Ruche also has a brand new bridal line full of beautiful budget-friendly dresses, and I think the Tiffany would be perfect for a picnic garden wedding.

The Decor:  Nothing makes an impact quite like a beautiful venue. Choose a local community garden, park, or perhaps the lovely backyard of a friend or family member, and let the surroundings do most of the work – if the venue is lovely on its own, you’ll save on decor. (Something else to keep in mind is that a daytime, outdoor wedding will result in photos with gorgeous natural light…)

The Flowers:  If you’re so inclined, potted flowers are an inexpensive way to decorate picnic tables – red geraniums are bright and cheery, but you can choose whatever is in season at your local nursery. Let them double as gifts and send them home with bridal attendants! You can also snip off a bloom and some leaves to create a simple boutonniere.

The Food:  Dress it up or down, a picnic reception is a unique idea that can save big. Whether you DIY or have it catered, a picnic lunch can be made ahead and doesn’t require an on-site kitchen. Set up a buffet of sandwiches, salads, and sodas, or pack individual lunch boxes or baskets with some of your favorite goodies. Here’s a great article that Jordan created for Project Wedding on how to DIY a picnic lunch. Ask friends and family to bring favorite desserts for an easy sweets buffet (this is also a great way to include people who want to help out).

Other Details:  Even if picnic tables are available, picnic blankets are nice to have around for guests who’d prefer to lounge on the grass. My mother used to paint roses on moving blankets for cheap (but attractive) picnic blankets, and Kathleen has a great tutorial on this exact idea right here, using a drop cloth from Home Depot to create a cute picnic blanket for under $7.

What do you think about a picnic wedding? Would you consider having this type of reception? For all of my previous budget-friendly inspiration boards, click HERE!

If you like this budget-friendly inspiration board, you might also like:

Board #279: Picnic in the Park
Board #277: Garden Party
Board #433: A Purple Picnic

This article was originally posted on Snippet & Ink.

Mood: understated sophistication
Palette: muted pink, olive leaf, gray and white marble

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Top row from left: chic fascinator headband from Ruche, gray invitation by Martha Stewart for Crane & Co., feathered Sue Wong dress from Bloomingdale’s, photo of miniature chocolate cake by Elizabeth Messina
Row 2: olive leaf bouquet photo by Punam Bean via Style Me Pretty, photo of Lazzaroni amaretti by Katie Quinn Davies, custom chalkboard art by Custom Chalk
Row 3: my wedding photo by Elizabeth Messina, bistro tables via This is Glamorous, grissini breadsticks from Real Simple, olive branch arrangement by Saipua for Sunday Suppers

The Idea:  Focus on simple details that don’t cost an arm and a leg.

The Paper:  Depending on how many you order, this beautiful invitation from Crane & Co.’s Martha Stewart Wedding Collection could cost you as little as $2.34 each. There are a number of elegant designs in the collection that I just love, and they’re a great way to have classic Crane stationery without going over budget.

The Fashion:  This sassy feathered dress by Sue Wong is gorgeous, and only $528. Top it off with a fascinator-style headband from Ruche for just $55 – not bad for such a bold accessory!

The Flowers:  Instead of flowers, carry a bouquet of foliage such as olive branches or oak leaves – they’re unexpected, lovely, and less expensive than many floral options. Use them in bulk to decorate the ceremony and reception.

The Food:  Hosting your wedding at a favorite restaurant is a great way to get more bang for your buck. Not only will you possibly avoid a site fee (many restaurants only charge a food and drink minimum), but you can also cross rentals off your list, since tables, chairs, dinnerware and linens are likely included in the cost.

The Decor:  Choose a restaurant that you love the look of, and half of your decorating is done for you! Centerpieces can be understated (line the table with votives) and edible (fill vases or jars with grissini which you can buy for less than $5 a box, and place bowls of olives in between). Add a little something extra to your wedding reception with a small splurge: a custom chalk sign for $120 that you can hang as art in your home after the party.

Other Details:  Even if you can’t afford your dream location, see if you can take your wedding photos there. Ryan and I love Cavallo Point but knew it was way outside our wedding budget – that didn’t stop us from taking our pre-ceremony photos there! Museums, parks, and hotels are all great ideas for wedding portraits, whether you’re renting the venue or not. For favors, choose something yummy that already comes in attractive packaging, like these amaretto cookies from Lazzaroni – you can either place one at each person’s seat, or have them in a bowl by the door.

Would you consider a restaurant wedding reception? This is what Ryan and I did, and in a city like San Francisco, it was by far the best way to stretch our budget. We got the space, rentals, and food and drink, all for the same amount many venues charge just to open the doors! Needless to say, I’m a fan.

If you like this budget-friendly inspiration board, you might also like:

Board #358: Playful Minimalism
Board #282: Intimate Dinner
Board #275: Champagne Friday

Elizabeth Messina is a sponsor of Snippet & Ink.

This article was originally posted on Snippet & Ink.

Mood: spring sweets
Palette: robin’s egg blue, daffodil yellow, eggshell white

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Top row from left: currant scones from Martha Stewart, daffodil and egg centerpiece from Everyday Occasions, flower girl and pearl earrings both from Martha Stewart Weddings
Row 2: personalized crossword puzzle from Martha Stewart Weddings, blue gingham invitation from Minted, mini shortbread cookie wedding cakes from Julia M. Usher, simple daffodil bouquet by Ez Pudewa
Row 3: daffodils from Better Homes & Gardens, After Six lace wedding dress from Dessy, silver basket with strawberries from Heather Bullard, chocolate eggs from Martha Stewart

The Idea:  Take a cue from the season with an Easter-inspired spring brunch (easily done without the holiday accents, too).

The Paper:  There are so many great online sources for invitations and other wedding stationery, like Minted, Wedding Paper Divas, and Hello!Lucky, who all offer great designs and customization at affordable prices, with tons of options under $5 per invite. For even bigger savings, some companies, like A Printable Press and Love vs. Design, offer designs in PDF form that you can download and print yourself.

The Fashion:  If you look in the right places, lovely wedding dresses can be found for reasonable prices, like this pretty lace dress by After Six sold through Dessy for only $660. J.Crew‘s designs are available for under $1000, and if you just have to have a designer gown, White by Vera Wang is a beautiful collection that ranges from $500 to $1500. For a quick, inexpensive DIY, embellish a simple flower girl dress and shoes with pretty ribbon.

The Decor:  This entire board was inspired by Jenny Steffens’s sweet Easter centerpiece of daffodils and eggs, which cost under $25 for the materials. You can grow your own daffodils from bulbs, or purchase them already blooming, depending on how much DIY you want to do. Heirloom eggs add a beautifully rustic touch, but if you can’t find pale blue eggs, you can dye white eggs the right hue.

The Flowers:  Live daffodils are lovely as centerpieces; why not use them cut for budget-friendly bouquets? I’ve seen them recently at Trader Joe’s for just $2 a bunch! The bouquet pictured here was put together for under $4 – not bad for such a pretty detail. They come in all shapes and sizes, so explore your options. Stick with smaller blooms for boutonnieres.

The Food:  People tend to eat and drink less earlier in the day, so brunch is a smart choice if you want to serve a full meal on a budget. Mimosas are the perfect signature cocktail for a morning wedding, but you could also opt not to serve alcohol at all. If you want to DIY the food, borrow pretty serving bowls and platters from friends and family for a buffet of baked goods, fruit, and other breakfast items. Brunch receptions are also shorter than dinner and dancing, so you might be able to strike a deal with musicians or your photographer if they’re working fewer hours.

Other Details:  Instead of a traditional wedding cake, how about miniature versions? You could either serve them for dessert, or let guests take them home as favors. The mini cakes pictured here are stacks of sugar cookies, or you could make “cakelets” with a pan like this one from Williams-Sonoma. Play up the brunch theme with a customized crossword puzzle and maybe even a personalized pencil at each place setting.

Have you ever attended a brunch wedding? Would you consider it for yourself? Since brunch is my favorite meal ever, I know I’d love to be invited to one! See lots more budget-friendly inspiration boards right here, and check back next week for even more.

If you like this budget-friendly inspiration board, you might also like:

Board #185: Garden Brunch
Board #285: Sunrise on the Beach
Board #357: Good Morning Love

Minted, Wedding Paper Divas, Hello!Lucky, A Printable Press, Love vs. Design, and Dessy are sponsors of Snippet & Ink.

This article was originally posted on Snippet & Ink.

Mood: chic sophistication
Palette: lime green, crisp white, pale gray

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Top row from left: centerpiece with fruit and ivy from Martha Stewart Weddings, invitation by Cheree Berry, photo of green K.Rose cake by Elizabeth Messina, fluttery petal dress from Bloomingdale’s
Row 2: cheese selection from Martha Stewart Weddings, vintage marquise aquamarine ring from Doyle & Doyle, photo of signature cocktail bar by Anouschka Rokebrand via Camille Styles via Style Me Pretty
Row 3: lady slipper bouquet photo by Anna Kuperberg, photo of Twigs & Honey veil by Elizabeth Messina, lemon madeleine cookies from Martha Stewart, tree in zinc pot from Homes and Gardens via This is Glamorous

Yesterday’s budget friendly inspiration board was for an informal cake and ice cream wedding, which I think sounds like a fun time, but which I know isn’t for everyone. Which is why I have six more budget-friendly inspiration boards lined up, including this one in white and green, full of DIY projects perfect for the craft-averse…

The Idea:  Easy DIY for a budget-friendly yet elegant outcome.

The Paper:  DIY invitations can look quite sophisticated with the right font, and can be as simple as typing out the text and hitting print. Choose an elegant script like Belluccia or Nelly, and have invitations and response cards flat printed on lovely cotton paper by a local printer. Use the same font for DIY place cards, menus, and other day-of details – even for addressing envelopes! See 50 of my favorite fonts right here (some are free!).

The Fashion:  Scope out high-end department stores for designer dresses in white – this pretty petal dress from Bloomingdale’s sells for $995, leaving room in the budget for alterations and accessories. Pair it with a romantic veil like this little number from Twigs & Honey – for $110, it adds a lot to your wedding day look without breaking the bank.

The Decor:  Sophisticated details don’t have to cost a fortune. Elevate inexpensive elements by sticking with all white linens and natural green accents. For a dramatic centerpiece at a reasonable price, fill a beautiful bowl with monochromatic fruit, accented with ivy tendrils – these can be done ahead of time as DIY projects, or by a floral designer. To frame the altar at your ceremony, splurge on a pair of potted trees that you can use to decorate your home after the wedding.

The Flowers:  In love with lily-of-the-valley, lady slipper orchids, or another pricey bloom? There’s no reason you can’t have the flower you adore if you carry a sweet little nosegay instead of a large bouquet. Bridesmaids can carry similarly sized nosegays made of less expensive flowers in coordinating colors.

The Food:  Signature cocktails are one of my favorite budget-saving ideas, because it feels like adding something rather than taking away. Offering one signature cocktail can save money on alcohol, allowing you to buy in bulk. If you like, offer it alongside wine and beer. A selection of cheeses is a delicious way to DIY your hors d’oeuvres, and you can often find great deals on yummy cheeses at Trader Joe’s or Costco. If a cheese tasting isn’t the main event, plan on at least two ounces of cheese per person, and serve with a variety of breads, crackers, fruit and nuts (Real Simple has a great article on The Perfect Cheese Platter). Finally, save by having two cakes instead of one: a small display cake for cutting, and a large sheet cake (in the same flavor) for serving.

Other Details:  Though it’s often not included in the wedding budget, the engagement ring can still be a place to save. There’s no rule that says you have to have a diamond solitaire – consider alternative gemstones and vintage cuts, and end up with a ring that’s utterly unique. The ring in this board is actually a vintage aquamarine from Doyle & Doyle – 1.5 carats for only $785. One last DIY-ish item? Store-bought madeleine cookies for wedding favors! Donsuemor are my favorites, and can be purchased for as little as 50-cents each. Package them in simple cello bags with a monogram sticker and place them at each guests’ seat.

Are you DIY-phobic? As much as I enjoy crafting, I also really appreciate super easy DIY projects that don’t involve too much tedious work – so hopefully you’ll find these ideas inspiring if you feel that way too. See previous budget-friendly inspiration boards right here, and check back through next week for more!

If you like this budget-friendly inspiration board, you might also like:

Board #276: Keep it Simple
Board #358: Playful Minimalism
Board #281: Something Unexpected

This article was originally posted on Snippet & Ink.

Mood: sweet, playful
Palette: bright white and cheerful pastels

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Top row from left: glassine and confetti save-the-date by Lisa Rupp for Creature Comforts, photo of room full of balloons by Brittany Esther via Green Wedding Shoes, multi-colored poppy bouquet from Wedding Style Guide
Row 2: cake table with balloons by Amy Atlas, mixed cakes by Jordan Ferney for Project Wedding, “Elope” dress by Sarah Seven
Row 3: DIY party hats by Oh Happy Day, plastic toy lion with party hat from You Are My Fave, ice cream cones from Ici Ice Cream

It’s been THREE YEARS since I last posted a series of budget-friendly inspiration boards – how did that happen?! Needless to say, I thought it was high time to bring them back!

When I was imagining this cake and ice cream inspiration board, I couldn’t help but think of my friend Jordan over at Oh Happy Day, who is always creating and posting the most cheerful and charming parties and ideas – lots of the ideas for this board came directly from her posts, hence the name of this cake-and-ice-cream wedding board! Also, my birthday was yesterday, so I have cake and ice cream on the brain.

The Idea:  It might seem odd to take inspiration from a child’s birthday party for a wedding, but in my mind, nothing says happy like cake and balloons (ice cream cones and party hats don’t hurt either)! One of the biggest expenses in any wedding budget is food, so this twist on the traditional cake and punch reception is a great way to save.

The Paper:  Get your guests in the mood to celebrate with a confetti save-the-date. Print information directly on a translucent vellum envelope ($15 for 100 here), and fill it with multi-colored paper circles in various shapes (punches available at Paper Source and Michael’s).

The Fashion:  It’s a party, so naturally you’ll want to wear a sassy party dress! A short dress is likely to cost less than longer bridal options – this polka dotted number by Sarah Seven is $770 – and since they don’t scream bridal, you might even be able to wear it again.

The Decor:  Fill the entire room with balloons to create a big impact for low cost. To keep the look sweet, but not cheesy, stick with one pale color, or even all white. En masse, something as simple as balloons can look sophisticated or even expensive, like in this Martha Stewart Weddings story.

The Flowers:  Bridal and bridesmaid bouquets do double duty when placed in vases on the cake table. Here I’ve imagined cheerful poppies, but any flowers in the appropriate color scheme will be lovely and allow you to save on floral decorations.

The Food:  Save money by skipping a full meal, like Ashley and Dusty did. Hold the reception at a time of day that allows guests to eat beforehand or in between the ceremony and reception. You can offer savory snacks, too, if you like, but it’s perfectly okay to serve just cake, ice cream, and soft drinks as long as it’s clear on your invitations – you don’t want guests to arrive expecting to eat lunch or dinner. Worried it won’t seem special enough? Set up a pretty display table for the cake or cakes, and find out if your local ice cream shop has a cute catering cart available to rent.

Other Details:  How adorable is this little plastic lion with the party hat? (Yet another cute idea seen on Oh Happy Day.) You can spray paint the animals so they’re all one color, or leave them as they are, then tape tiny party hats on them. As with the balloons, a simple item that’s elevated to something special and unexpected when used en masse. And of course if the toy animals have party hats, shouldn’t the guests have them too? Decorate simple party hats with tissue paper flowers and fringe like Jordan did in this DIY project (you can make the hats yourself, or buy them for pretty cheap from party supply stores).

Would you have a cake and ice cream wedding reception with balloons and party hats? I say why not! See all of my previous budget-friendly inspiration boards right here, and check back in all week and next for more budget friendly ideas.

If you like this budget-friendly inspiration board, you might also like:

Board #188: Cake & Punch
Board #274: Playful!
Board #283: Tea Party

This article was originally posted on Snippet & Ink.