How to Save Money on Your Wedding Decorations

Almost everyone has a fantasy wedding and whether yours is riding to the chapel in a horse-drawn carriage or leaving the reception in a hot air balloon, the reality of the expense is likely to put a dent in your extravagant wedding dreams. If you only plan to get married once, then you shouldn't compromise on everything. Venue decorations are a great place to spend less so that you can spend more where it's really meaningful to you.

Simplify the Flowers

Your engagement rings will be with you forever, so they are worth the expense. Flowers die quickly, so although they are beautiful, they often seem pricey for the return investment. Instead of getting swept away by the florist's expensive options, consider ways to simplify and save money on the flower arrangements. 

• Use Single Buds - Instead of a huge bouquet of flowers at each table, use a small cluster of single rosebuds. You can color coordinate the color of the roses for table designations. For example, you can use red, white, yellow and pink to denmark tables for the bride and groom, the attendants, family and open seating.
• Go Seasonal - Do some research for the time of year you're going to get married and insist on seasonal flowers. For example, using amaryllis makes perfect winter sense in the winter while peonies and poppies will be easier to find in the late spring and summer months. 
• Buy Wholesale - Another alternative to fancy floral arrangements is to buy flowers wholesale online and have them shipped to your house two days before the wedding. If you have aunts or cousins coming into town for the big day, put them to work trimming and arranging. This is also a fun day-before activity for the bridal party. Buy inexpensive vases at Goodwill or other thrift stores and make your own floral arrangements. 

Forego the Flowers

Not everyone loves flowers and there is no reason you need to have flowers on every table if you don't want to. There are plenty of other cost-effective alternatives that can really help you personalize your reception. 

• Substitute Succulents - Succulents are some of the most interesting plants on earth. They come in wonderful shapes and shades of green. Place a small collection of succulents at each table on a circle of scallop-cut fabric. At the end of the reception, encourage guests to take one home. 
• Substitute Fruit - Fruits, especially citrus, are a great substitute for flowers. Bowls of lemons, limes and oranges are colorful and smell nice. Shop for a variety of inexpensive bowls at discount stores and fill them up with fruits. After the wedding, the citrus can be donated to a food pantry. 
• Substitute Toys - If the bride and groom had favorite childhood toys, consider making a little display of them on each table.  The guests will be intrigued by the collection of Matchbox cars, baseball cards, Barbies, My Little Ponies and Legos, for example. They will be great conversation starters for groups who don't know each other. 
• Substitute Books - Many used bookstores will sell you older books by the bag. Wrap a stack of books in some pretty net ribbon and tie a bow on top. Books can also serve as pedestals for dessert plates or appetizers. 

Add Decorative Touches

There are several directions you can go with your table settings to spice up the look without busting your budget. If you are okay with a more eclectic look, consider these options.

• Use Colorful Linens - Who says wedding linen must be white, gold or silver? Instead of renting the traditional tablecloths and napkins, look for bright fabric to add an inexpensive pop to the tables. Buy several yards and make no-sew table runners yourself. There is no need to add extra decorations when the fabric is doing the work for you. 
• Borrow China - Many people have several sets of hand-me-down China in their garage or attic. Ask around and start borrowing sets for mix and match reception table settings. Place a pretty card in the middle of the table explaining who the borrowed plates belonged to.

Save your wedding budget for what really counts. Venue decorations are easy to make on a budget.