Summer Events on a Budget

Summer Events on a Budget

By Cate Rees-Hessel

Celebrate…

June brides, grads, 4th of July patriots, and fun seekers can celebrate without breaking the bank with these money saving ideas:

1. Wedding gown resale and discount shops offer dresses as lovely as the exclusive stores – don’t discount them, pun intended. A good seamstress and dry cleaner can be invaluable when choosing a pre-owned fashion, or a dress that’s been on the rack for some time. Choose a classic style and make it your own. A prom dress off the clearance rack can even be adapted with some sewing know how.
2. Something borrowed can be a dress, shoes, or veil – just make sure the dress fits well; have alterations if need be. A tailor or seamstress can save you money by altering the size or changing the look of the garment, but ask the lender if it’s okay to make changes.
3. Weddings, graduation parties, or showers can use items like plastic silverware, as long as it’s a higher quality plastic. Party stores, as well as big box retailers, stock heavy plastic cutlery that is ornate and in a variety of colors. Pair with pretty colored napkins and matching paper or heavy plastic plates and cups. Have pretty baskets on the buffet table to hold these items. After Mother’s Day is a perfect time to get pretty table items on clearance.
4. Decorations can come from a dollar store, but be VERY choosey. Avoid cheaply painted ceramic, or plastic decor. A glue gun and pretty ribbons can be your friend.
5. Make sure everyone has a good time – keep events fun filled. People will remember a great time more than an elegant but dull event, though do be very careful about being tacky. Tasteless and chintzy are also things guests will recall. Budget friendly does not have to equate to trashy. There are many nice inexpensive things available for festive times.
6. Bridesmaids can wear dresses in coordinating hues of the wedding color scheme – just pull them together with matching scarfs, ribbons and jewelry.
7. There is nothing wrong with a potluck, but if the item you are providing is leftover from another event, please keep that to yourself. A relative of my husband’s announced rather loudly that the appetizer she was serving was left over from a funeral. Needless to say I nearly choked on mine.
8. To avoid the aforementioned tacky, streamers and crepe paper wedding bells that go from flat to puffy in the blink of an eye, are among the tackiest of decor. Don’t go there. Vintage touched are a better bet. Something from a loved ones wedding back in the day perhaps.
9. Set up an area with a background for selfies and have a few fun props handy. Here is where a bit of tackiness is okay…
10. Consider alternative venues for weddings or graduation parties. Water park, beaches, backyards and park district shelters can be very nice. Use plastic or linen table clothes, and clean the areas before guests arrive if the venue does not provide that service. Remember porta potties are modern equivalents of the dreaded old fashion outhouses – choose a place with indoor bathrooms. Make sure soap, lotion, toilet paper, and paper towels are well stocked – be prepared to bring your own. A basket of amenities, such as perfumes, breath mints, and a sewing kit with safety pins, needle, and thread are a nice touch. Maybe add a few fresh flowers in the wedding color to the restrooms in glass mason jars. Talk to the venue and find out what is allowed.
11. If you are an invited guest of a casual venue wedding or other party, dress nicely. Don’t assume that a less formal venue means shorts, T-shirts or cheap flip-flops. Designer flops are fine with the right outfit, but wear a nice dress or casual suit. It’s still a celebration of someone’s nuptials or accomplishment, and being well dressed shows respect. Leave the sneakers and sweat pants at home. Deck shoes or a very nice new pair of jeans might be okay, but actual slacks or leggings would be very appropriate.
12. Games are fun, and even a karaoke machine might be alright, but remember, after a couple glasses of wine, Uncle Fred’s off-key version of “Some Enchanted Evening” (or worse yet “Disco Duck”) can certainly bring down even the best party ever.
13. Weddings can have thrifty themes and still be fun – beach or luau work for both showers and grad parties as well.
14. Balloons all over can be very lots of fun and add pretty pops of color – just remember safety for children and the environment.
15. If you are using a church social hall, school gymnasium, or the like, inexpensive tulle or satin look fabric to cover shelves of books or equipment can work to give the room a professional look. The same is true for VFW and other community type venues.
16. Gazebo weddings are pretty for the actual vows; I know someone that had a beautiful ceremony under the Welcome to Las Vegas sign.
17. Be creative, museums, theaters or art galleries might be available, if you ask.
18. Look for coupons or specials in your local paper or online for catering – this time of year they are often offering discounts.
19. If you opt for a backyard wedding, mow the lawn and have a well stocked indoor powder room for guests; designate an indoor area in case of inclement weather or this year, cicadas.
20. At-home showers can be intimate, friendly, and frugal. I was given a unique kitchen shower where everyone was asked to bring a favorite recipe, and the non perishable ingredients for the dish, along with their gifts; a nice way to stock the bride’s kitchen cupboards. Maybe make a couple of the recipes to serve at the event. Another options is a white elephant motif.
21. In addition to gifts, bring a little some thing you have enjoyed in your home over the years with a story surrounding the item for happy couple to treasure – giving beautiful memories is priceless. Lingerie showers can include active wear as well as sexy nighties. Remember that couples showers are popular these days and can include themes like fix it or honeymoon travel. Spa showers can be fun for everyone, maybe with homemade scrubs or essential oils. Multi level marketing company reps sometimes offer theme showers, but if the bride is registered elsewhere or has a specific list, stick to that. Coordinate with guests to avoid duplicate gifts. Brides and grooms to be, please choose gifts in various price ranges to accommodate everyone’s budget.
22. Don’t cut corners on certain items. Your wedding photos cannot be retaken, and trusting a beauty school student or multi level cosmetic sales rep to do your makeup, hair, or nails is not a good idea. Choose a seasoned professional – it’s worth the money. Trying bartering for these services, it may not work but it’s worth a try – just be polite and don’t be pushy. Some areas have barter groups that you might use. There is always Groupon, too.
23. A pizza party rehearsal dinner is a bit in poor taste perhaps, but a buffet is fine. Engagement parties can be casual, appetizers and desserts work for this type of party, so do barbecues.
24. If you opt for a cake and punch reception, utilize a Pittsburgh, PA tradition with a homemade cookies sweet table – have bakery boxes available for guests to take some goodies with them. Never bring plastic sandwich baggies or containers for left over party food from A candy table with mini chocolates and other confections with pretty bags for guests to bring home is a fun, memorable that can be done inexpensively.
25. For graduation or engagement parties, a board game night can be lots of fun. Have everyone bring a favorite with them.
26. Carnival theme parties with snow cones, funnel cakes, and cotton candy to go along with games of chance can be fun for summer birthday parties. Inexpensive trinket prizes and a large stuffed animal door prize can be fun. Give tickets to win the main award to everyone in attendance, and have the big reveal at the end. Have smaller prizes ready for everyone as they exit.
27. Check local laws and regulations if you want to have your event at the beach or a local park – don’t leave anything to chance. Most forest preserves, public beaches, or parks require permits for private parties. They might be free or a nominal fee must be paid in advance – plan ahead, as reservations for spaces may have to be made at the beginning of the quarter or year.
28. Memorable touches can mean more than pricey allocates. Dear friends that are like family recently celebrated a graduation with custom T-shirts exclaiming sister, brother, mother, father, grandmother, and grandfather of the graduate. Team Bride and Team Groom buttons, tees, or jackets are also a great way to commemorate a special day.
29. Use a pretty chalkboard with the wedding colors for each bridal event leading up to the big day, as well as at the ceremony and reception themselves, to greet guests, welcoming them to each event. Include directions to seating areas, restrooms, and the like to help navigate their way through the venue with ease.
30. DIY multimedia presentations can make for a enjoyable walk down memory lane without the high price tag – try websites like Canva.

Most of all, have fun, enjoy your loved ones, and these important summer moments…