Every bride knows that DIY party favors are not only budget friendly, they are also the cutest and the most personalized gift one can ask for.  Instead of spending several dollars on fancy candles, picture frames and towels, why not spend around a dollar on creating something that can WOW your guests?

Needing some fun and creative ideas?  Get ready!

DIY Ice Cream in a Jar — A cool treat for a warm day!
Ingredients:

• glass mason jar
• ribbon
• rock salt
• small zip-lock bag
• half and half individual packets
• sugar & vanilla powder
• printer
• labels

Instructions:

1) Print out the labels for your jars, cut out and personalize the side label to say what you would like to your guests
2) Pour 1 cup rock salt into the bottom of each jar
3) Pour 1 tablespoon sugar & 1 teaspoon vanilla powder into a small (quart size) zip-lock bag and make sure it’s tightly sealed
4) Combine the bag of powder and 8 of the half and half packets in each jar
5) Tie on your front label with twine
6) Tie on your side labels with ribbon for your guests

All your guests have to do is to add ice and shake for about 10 minutes,  voila!, it will magically turn into a nice cool treat as a late night snack!

DIY Candy Poppers
Materials:

• tissue paper roll
• double stick tape
• scissors
• 1.75 x 5 piece of cardstock
• ribbon
• page of crepe paper
• candy

Step One: Place double stick tape on crepe paper put tissue paper roll on tape and roll across crepe paper apply tape on end of crepe paper and secure.
Step Two: Twist one end of crepe paper and secure with ribbon, tie in bow.
Step Three: Fill roll with candy.
Step Four: Twist other end and secure with ribbon, tie in bow.
Step Five: Fold cardstock and cut on an angle, to create a “flag” look write message and attach tag to finished roll.

I think everyone can agree with me that wedding is one of the most memorable celebration and milestone in life!  Some are lucky to have limitless budget, those couples can certainly go for 6 star venue, Cartier rings, best caterers, celebrity make-up artist and such.  However, I think what truly interest me as a wedding planner, is to plan a unique personal wedding with tight budget.  When you have all the money in the world, it’s easy to purchase the most beautiful decorations and the limited edition wedding dress.  It’s when you have a tight budget, yet want to throw a fun and high-end looking wedding, that is what makes planning a wedding challenging and very very fun!

There is a lovely couple, Caitlyn and Josh, who is planning their Tuscany theme outdoor wedding for this September.  Unfortunately, her fiance and father have both been laid off during the recession.  Their love is too strong to let anything to get on its way; therefore, this pair of gorgeous couple are determined to keep planning their wedding away.

From the original $35,000 budget cutting down to a $5000 wedding in four months, it is super high stress and no easy task for the bride-to-be.  That’s when Caitlyn turned to me for consultation, and here I am, working on an authentic blueprint just for them!

• From a breathtaking $13,000 vineyard wedding venue, we change to Caitlyn’s parents’ gorgeous backyard. (FREE, of course!)
• From a $5,000 traditional wedding buffet menu selection, we change to a $1,500 wedding theme related menu.  That includes different kinds of olives, parma ham with melon, tomato and boccocini salad, gourmet pizza, and tiramisu! (Can you get more Italian than that?)
• From a $1,200 wedding dress that Caitlyn wants to buy, we settle for a very similar dress half the price by having a local seamstress to make it for her.
• Instead of splurging $1,500 on alcohol, just cut this option out and serve home-made fruit punch.
• Instead of renting a formal evening coat at the price of $300, we buy the $120 tuxedo at a discounted rack.
• Instead of spending $1,600 on a florist/decorator, we spend $250 auctioning flowers at a farm and another $50 for miscellaneous decorations.
• Instead of hiring a wedding photographer that would originally cost Caitlyn $2,000, we put out 25 disposable cameras for guests to take pictures.  It costs less than $150, and guests always love to get involved!
• Instead of paying $300 for a make-up artist and hair stylist, Caitlyn is asking her bridesmaid to do it for her.
• Instead of the $800 phenomenal string quartet, we go for the $20 for 2 Italian opera CDs for background music.
• Skip the fancy letterpress invitations that would cost Caitlyn $1,200, buy some color cardstock and a beautiful looking stamp.  DIY invitation cards in less than $120.

I can’t stress enough that I’m a big fan of personalizing and make all things unique.  Cookie cutter wedding is never for me.  During the financial hard times, another belief is weighing extra heavy in my heart these days.  I believe that style, beauty and ambience are priceless.  Beautiful things are not only for the riches; one should never sacrifice and compromise for style, even for you budget brides out there.  Simply do more research, take the time out to DIY projects, and think of cheaper alternatives!  If you do not have the creative bones in you, do what Caitlyn does, email me at info@blueprintforlove.ca or reach me at (604)773-3631,  I’ll be more than happy to chat with you!