Stupid Stuff No One Will Miss (or Notice)
Perhaps a nicer title would have been “You Can Stop Stressing Over ______”.
Following along the premise of yesterday’s post about brides on a budget, I would like to quell some fears. I even discussed this with a few industry buddies, just to add some clarity and variety. Here we go!
- Non-Edible Favors–Skip the seashells or swans full of dinner mints and wrapped in tulle. It’s waste. You can also do away with the photo frames and place card holders. You will find a majority are going to be left on your table. Another thing, if it is has your name on it, it will probably be abandoned. This includes personalized CDs (copyright issues), jars, candles, etc. I can remember years ago going to a baby shower and receiving an angel figurine with the baby’s name on it. I thought, “Ok. What am I going to do with this?” Your guests will be thinking the same thing. Honestly, I have no need for a 2×3 frame. And ONE place card holder. No. No use at all. Instead, opt for little things, with style. Candy, dessert and popcorn bars are a great way to show your appreciation and are a hit. Better yet, give a donation in the name of your wedding or guests. Leave a nice bookmark or card on the place setting to say that it has been done. Just don’t say how much you donated.
- Those 1983 Gold Imprinted Cocktail Napkins— I haven’t seen these in forever, but as long as they are selling them in the back of wedding invitation catalogs, someone is buying them (unfortunately). No one will miss these. No one is looking for them. Spend your money somewhere else.
- The Groom’s Cake— Don’t get me wrong, the sentiment is really sweet. If you have the money and want to honor your hubby-to-be, go for it. However, if you don’t, don’t sweat it. I have been to some of the most beautiful weddings and there is wedding cake left over for days. Can you imagine how upset you would be if you had TWO cakes that no one touched?
- Champagne–Yep, unless you’re Puff Daddy, I think it’s perfectly fine to skip the bubbly. I know, I know, it’s a wedding. But…a lot of people don’t even like champagne. So you save yourself the pain and angst of buying it by the bottles only for people to take a sip and sit it down. People can toast with what they have at hand, or shoot for the Italian prosecco that is more cost effective.
- Bathroom Baskets— Again, sweet in sentiment, but unnecessary. Your guests are only there for four hours. Save your money and put it somewhere else.
- Ceremony Programs— If you have the money to spend on them, fine. Knock yourself out. In some cultures it is customary to honor certain individuals. But I will tell you, a majority of the people don’t care about what your flower girl’s name is or what song the grandmothers are being seated to. If we leave or hand out 100 programs, 50 to 75 of them are left in the seats or the baskets. Put your money some where else.