“Budget.” No bride likes to hear it. But truly having a budget under which to operate and being organized within it can be the BEST thing for a beautiful wedding that doesn’t leave you feeling like your pockets have been emptied. And no matter what it is, we all have a “budget” we must stick within… the question becomes HOW to spend within that budget.

As planners we look for the VALUE of every product we buy and service we obtain. Is it worth the money… does it fulfill the need… to us “budget” does not mean the wedding has to look anything less than exactly what our brides envision. It just means we have to be very creative and efficient in getting there!!

Take our Osprey Point wedding on Kiawah Island. Her budget priorities were the location (Kiawah Island), her band and her food. She was willing to spend a large portion of her budget on these things because she knew that’s what would matter most to her guests.

But what bride doesn’t want her wedding to look fabulous, too?! Here are a few ways we managed to create chic decor without breaking the bank…

1.) We used a standard lamour linen but in a a rich copper tone. A great colored linen in any fabric can make a HUGE difference!

2.) Multiple budvases were filled with single blooms and spread down the table. Less flowers= money saved.

3.) Interesting Glassware– to fill in the space, our florist purchased inexpensive glassware from CB2 for the budvases and candlesticks. The various shapes added MUCH visual interest to the tables!

4.) Candlelight played a major role in “richening” up the space– on the square tables, glass budvases with single blooms surrounded a series of pillar candles in hurricane shades.

5.) Spend money on “impact pieces”– by putting more money into several large pieces, you’ll get the “wow” factor without having to overdo it everywhere…

By saving money in on the seated tables, she was able to have the very dramatic placecard table she wanted… it was a gorgeous way to greet their guests!

At the end of the day, Michelle and Earl were a fantastic couple with lovely families… the wedding was perfect!