Alright, the ideas have been getting wackier each time, so let’s bring ourselves back to earth with something much more attainable, shall we?
The Dollar (Store) Wedding
The Scene: Imagine an intimate at-home wedding, where the challenge was to use only what you had at home already or could find at the local dollar store! Everything from the flowers and table cloths to the party favors and materials to make the wedding cake. The only exceptions would be the clothing that everyone wears and the rings (though hey if the couple’s down for some fun plastic rings, who’s to stop them?). Centerpieces could easily be put together with the selection of glassware, candles, rocks, and fake flowers at the dollar store. Rather than buy loads of fake flowers that you may not need again, why not opt for some fun pinwheels to place along the aisle? This would be especially nice on a beautifully sunny day with a slight breeze, so the colorful pinwheels spin as they welcome the bride down the aisle.
Whether you want disposable or to add to your home’s collection, there’s plenty of tableware to choose from!
A little DIY handiwork can quickly transform these into wonderful centerpieces.
As the wedding party takes some photos on each others’ cameras, guests can mingle over boxed wine (I think they offer that at the dollar store) or soda. You don’t have to get drunk to have fun, right? Come time for dinner, you can expect a mishmash of homemade foods and a simple cake made from a box. It may not be fancy, but it certainly is homey. Maybe a few of the guests can even help with the food preparation! Yes, this is a very hands-on, interactive, and DIY sort of wedding. Roll up your sleeves, join in, and have fun socializing! It’s all about the company and good times tonight.
Spring is a great season for a discount wedding! Just check out all those cheerful colors.
The fun thing about dollar stores is that they always have a robust seasonal section, so you can really cater to the time of year that you’ll be holding the wedding. Right now all the Easter decorations are out, so the newlyweds may opt to have an Easter egg scavenger hunt, where guests have to find their own wedding presents hidden in the yard and around the house. You can find some really fun Easter eggs like sports balls, animals, or assorted neon colors. Within each, the bride and groom may choose to have pieces of candy and some small trinkets as momentos. On the tables, guests receive a lovely photo frame decorated with the couple’s names and the wedding date, which they can later use when they print out a picture of themselves with the bride and groom. Then when the dancing starts, glowsticks are passed out and help illuminate the dark yard. Ever rave at a wedding? This may be your chance!
The Location: Since this is to be a budget wedding, the most sensible place to hold it would be at a home. Now this can be your home, your parents’ home, or even just a friend who wants to volunteer their wonderful yard! Don’t be afraid to ask if someone is willing to lend you their place for the day, but be sure to clean up after yourselves and be courteous guests. Depending on the time of year, you may choose to do it out in the yard or inside the home. As long as the weather permits, an outside wedding provides fewer restrictions and is far less likely to cause extended damage. But hey, if you really hate the outdoors, you can have a house party and mingle from room to room throughout the night.
The Challenges: One of the most difficult things will likely be having enough space and furniture. Most households aren’t designed for a big shebang like a wedding, so some creative measures to make the most of your space will probably be necessary. Maybe you’ll opt for a super-quick ceremony where guests stand in a circle around you to save space. Also, you might need to borrow some furniture from your neighbors to be able to seat everyone, or even encourage your guests to BYOC – bring your own chair! Then of course is the issue of pulling off a cheap wedding that doesn’t feel “cheap,” if you know what I mean. With a focus on family and friends, love and friendship, and a sense of camaraderie and community, this can be a really intimate event where everyone pitches in and feels good about it too! DIY doesn’t mean the guests can’t do some of the doing too. 🙂
If you had a budget wedding, would you want to pull it off like this? Would you consider this a “wacky” wedding? What would you do to personalize it? Or, do you know someone who managed to have a “dollar” wedding? We’d love to know.
Wacky Wedding Ideas! 