Jacquie
My fiance is going into the Army and he will be going to boot camp this summer. His recruiter suggested that because we have a daughter due in two weeks and because of possible housing after boot camp that we get married before he goes to boot camp. We are a little tight on money, so I wondered what we need for a small, inexpensive, but nice wedding?
Answer
It depends on what kind of wedding you want. If you are thinking traditional, you will need the following.
1) A license.
Typically $20-$50 depending on where you live. Ask your local courthouse staff for info.
2) An officiant and location to be married.
If you or a family member are a member of a church, typically they will donate both an officiant and the church building, but you are expected to give some type of donation after the wedding. Other groups may also donate the space, but typically not an officiant, which will run about $300 if you have to pay for one.
3) A location for the reception.
Check if the church has a separate room that you can use or a detached space that you could use for free. Alternatively, some open-concept churches can have tables set up in the hall, you get married while people are sitting at their tables. Or, you could have the reception in someone's back yard. Keep in mind that a back-yard event will require tables and chairs that would typically be provided by an indoor location, but that an outside location is also typically much easier to decorate nicely.
4) Dress clothes.
You will need a dress. A traditional dress will run you $100 on ebay, or you may be able to find one at Goodwill or a similar store. Remember that alterations cost extra unless you know someone who would donate the time. Shoes and veil are up to you. He could wear his military formals if he has them (free) or a nice suit. If you want people to stand up with you, ask them to wear something from their closet that would coordinate; think black dresses for women and khakis with black button-up for men. If you want something more formal, go for tuxes, but keep in mind that it will run an extra $150 for a tux.
5) Flowers.
If you get married closer into spring-summer, you can cut bouquets from your flower beds or from a relative/close neighbor. Hydrangeas are particularly beautiful and bountiful during their season. Alternatively, you can make your own real flower bouquet from your local florist/flower seller (ex Walmart) for $25-$40. Some people will suggest fake flowers, but they are actually more expensive in the long run unless you are super-crafty and make your own paper flowers.
6) Cake and other food/drink
Hunt out your family members, friends, etc for anyone they may know who likes to make cakes. A cake from the bakery will run $800+; a friend of a friend will typically do a cake for $250-$300, and if the person is closer, they may be willing to do it as your wedding gift.
As for the rest of the food/drink, keep in mind that, as long as some type of beverage is available, how far you go with food/drink is completely voluntary, and you don't have to do anything at all. On the cheap, you can do chips and dips, barbeque, mini sandwiches or have a potluck meal. The nice part of the wedding isn't based on what food you eat, but how you present it. i.e. chips in nice glass bowls (easy to borrow) instead of straight out of the bag. Keep in mind that you will also need plastic plates, cups, and silverware; think clear or something that matches your theme.
7) Decorations.
Having a dark location will make decorating much easier, as you can lean heavily on lighting (such as white Christmas lights strung into trees and candles on tables). Some ribbons and some potted plants (if you cover the pots in silver wrapping paper and ribbon, you can use really cheap plants). Mirrors that reflect light. Also, be sure to ask around to see what places in your area will loan out for weddings. In my town, the local hardware store will let you borrow things like candle cups and square mirrored tiles (great to romantically reflect candle light) for free.
Alternatively, try to pick a theme that is easy to decorate with cute accessories on the cheap, such as a southern vintage with mason jars/pails or oriental with origami figures strewn about.
Either way, browse websites like theknot.com for ideas that you can modify for your purposes; just don't get too obsessed with the monstrous weddings you will see there.
8) Invitations.
You can get as fancy or simple with these as you like. I've seen really cute flat invitations with the invitation wording printed out on white paper, then the white paper glued onto a colored paper that frames it. Get creative with your computer fonts as well as clip-art with scrolls, etc. Keep in mind that you will need to get envelopes if you are going to mail them (lots of people make cute invitations that don't fit in any envelope known to man). There are also places that you can make free wedding websites, like www.momentville.com, which you can either use for free RSVPs (no postage to pay) or actually do electronic invitations. Remember that the point is to let people know what is going on, but the process really isn't that important.
Hope this helps and congrats on both the new baby and the wedding!
It depends on what kind of wedding you want. If you are thinking traditional, you will need the following.
1) A license.
Typically $20-$50 depending on where you live. Ask your local courthouse staff for info.
2) An officiant and location to be married.
If you or a family member are a member of a church, typically they will donate both an officiant and the church building, but you are expected to give some type of donation after the wedding. Other groups may also donate the space, but typically not an officiant, which will run about $300 if you have to pay for one.
3) A location for the reception.
Check if the church has a separate room that you can use or a detached space that you could use for free. Alternatively, some open-concept churches can have tables set up in the hall, you get married while people are sitting at their tables. Or, you could have the reception in someone's back yard. Keep in mind that a back-yard event will require tables and chairs that would typically be provided by an indoor location, but that an outside location is also typically much easier to decorate nicely.
4) Dress clothes.
You will need a dress. A traditional dress will run you $100 on ebay, or you may be able to find one at Goodwill or a similar store. Remember that alterations cost extra unless you know someone who would donate the time. Shoes and veil are up to you. He could wear his military formals if he has them (free) or a nice suit. If you want people to stand up with you, ask them to wear something from their closet that would coordinate; think black dresses for women and khakis with black button-up for men. If you want something more formal, go for tuxes, but keep in mind that it will run an extra $150 for a tux.
5) Flowers.
If you get married closer into spring-summer, you can cut bouquets from your flower beds or from a relative/close neighbor. Hydrangeas are particularly beautiful and bountiful during their season. Alternatively, you can make your own real flower bouquet from your local florist/flower seller (ex Walmart) for $25-$40. Some people will suggest fake flowers, but they are actually more expensive in the long run unless you are super-crafty and make your own paper flowers.
6) Cake and other food/drink
Hunt out your family members, friends, etc for anyone they may know who likes to make cakes. A cake from the bakery will run $800+; a friend of a friend will typically do a cake for $250-$300, and if the person is closer, they may be willing to do it as your wedding gift.
As for the rest of the food/drink, keep in mind that, as long as some type of beverage is available, how far you go with food/drink is completely voluntary, and you don't have to do anything at all. On the cheap, you can do chips and dips, barbeque, mini sandwiches or have a potluck meal. The nice part of the wedding isn't based on what food you eat, but how you present it. i.e. chips in nice glass bowls (easy to borrow) instead of straight out of the bag. Keep in mind that you will also need plastic plates, cups, and silverware; think clear or something that matches your theme.
7) Decorations.
Having a dark location will make decorating much easier, as you can lean heavily on lighting (such as white Christmas lights strung into trees and candles on tables). Some ribbons and some potted plants (if you cover the pots in silver wrapping paper and ribbon, you can use really cheap plants). Mirrors that reflect light. Also, be sure to ask around to see what places in your area will loan out for weddings. In my town, the local hardware store will let you borrow things like candle cups and square mirrored tiles (great to romantically reflect candle light) for free.
Alternatively, try to pick a theme that is easy to decorate with cute accessories on the cheap, such as a southern vintage with mason jars/pails or oriental with origami figures strewn about.
Either way, browse websites like theknot.com for ideas that you can modify for your purposes; just don't get too obsessed with the monstrous weddings you will see there.
8) Invitations.
You can get as fancy or simple with these as you like. I've seen really cute flat invitations with the invitation wording printed out on white paper, then the white paper glued onto a colored paper that frames it. Get creative with your computer fonts as well as clip-art with scrolls, etc. Keep in mind that you will need to get envelopes if you are going to mail them (lots of people make cute invitations that don't fit in any envelope known to man). There are also places that you can make free wedding websites, like www.momentville.com, which you can either use for free RSVPs (no postage to pay) or actually do electronic invitations. Remember that the point is to let people know what is going on, but the process really isn't that important.
Hope this helps and congrats on both the new baby and the wedding!
Is there any safe way to open aerosol cans?
themysticm
I found this really neat vintage aerosol can of suede polish-stuff in my garage, I don't want to throw it out and, if possible, I'd like to repurpose it, but is there any safe way of opening it any leave it mostly intact?
Mmkay, deal is, I don't actually want the stuff inside, I'm only really interested in the can and he top part with the nozzle. I just need to open it while keeping the can (and myself) intact. Like, separate the top part from the can part.
Answer
Lets see if I understand what you have. Is there no more pressure in the can? Or is the nozzle clogged up so you can't get anything out of it and can not tell about the pressure?
I'd say there is no safe way to open a can like that, they are not supposed to be opened. The insurance would not want to cover any damage or injury incurred from trying such a thing. None the less, I do it all the time. I like to get the marbles out of paint cans. Now then. You want to be able to preserve the can in tact as much as possible? Like, you want to dispense the liquid out of the can without putting it in another container with a tight cap? Remember there is a possibility that there is still some pressure in the can, the worst job I got on my face was spray adhesive! I had my nostrils and eyelids glued shut, not good. I used vegi oil on my face to cut the stickiness. Then soapy water. Well, you want to be careful, I use a can opener that is part of the collection of blades on my camp knife. They used to be called Camp King. That opener is the best for this kind of job. These cans are thicker metal than vegi cans so beware, you could break off the tip of your opener. Just make sure the pressure applied is even and straight down and with no sideways pressure. When you poke the tip of the opener into the edge of the can, you want to go in only a slight distance, like and eight of an inch and slowly bring the tip back out to relieve the potential pressure very slowly. You could even cover the hands with a rag to slow down any potential spray, but then you would have a hard time seeing what you are doing. The liquid would be staying near the bottom of the can and the gas would be at the top, thus the gas would come out first and maybe only. Be sure the can is vertical, or upright, with it's bottom held tightly against the table top or bench, porch rail or whatever. If you intend to pour the contents into another container you will want to open the hole a bit more, like a half inch and then turn the can 90 degrees and put the tip of the opener into the same slot and press down till it makes the slot open about one eight inch wide or so. then make a slit on the other side of the can, straight across from the first opening so as to let the air in as the contents comes out while you are tipping the can to pour.
Be sure you have plenty of ventilation and a partner to see that you are OK, to call for help if needed.
Just in case you don't have an opener like I use, you can use a small screw driver. Be sure that it has a tough enough handle to handle a blow from a hammer and be sure that the can is held tightly so it doesn't tip over while giving the blow. A nail could be used too, but be careful, the can tends to want to tip over when doing it that way. Be sure to remove the screw driver or nail slowly so as to relieve the potential pressure slowly.
Blessings on you and do be safe!
Lets see if I understand what you have. Is there no more pressure in the can? Or is the nozzle clogged up so you can't get anything out of it and can not tell about the pressure?
I'd say there is no safe way to open a can like that, they are not supposed to be opened. The insurance would not want to cover any damage or injury incurred from trying such a thing. None the less, I do it all the time. I like to get the marbles out of paint cans. Now then. You want to be able to preserve the can in tact as much as possible? Like, you want to dispense the liquid out of the can without putting it in another container with a tight cap? Remember there is a possibility that there is still some pressure in the can, the worst job I got on my face was spray adhesive! I had my nostrils and eyelids glued shut, not good. I used vegi oil on my face to cut the stickiness. Then soapy water. Well, you want to be careful, I use a can opener that is part of the collection of blades on my camp knife. They used to be called Camp King. That opener is the best for this kind of job. These cans are thicker metal than vegi cans so beware, you could break off the tip of your opener. Just make sure the pressure applied is even and straight down and with no sideways pressure. When you poke the tip of the opener into the edge of the can, you want to go in only a slight distance, like and eight of an inch and slowly bring the tip back out to relieve the potential pressure very slowly. You could even cover the hands with a rag to slow down any potential spray, but then you would have a hard time seeing what you are doing. The liquid would be staying near the bottom of the can and the gas would be at the top, thus the gas would come out first and maybe only. Be sure the can is vertical, or upright, with it's bottom held tightly against the table top or bench, porch rail or whatever. If you intend to pour the contents into another container you will want to open the hole a bit more, like a half inch and then turn the can 90 degrees and put the tip of the opener into the same slot and press down till it makes the slot open about one eight inch wide or so. then make a slit on the other side of the can, straight across from the first opening so as to let the air in as the contents comes out while you are tipping the can to pour.
Be sure you have plenty of ventilation and a partner to see that you are OK, to call for help if needed.
Just in case you don't have an opener like I use, you can use a small screw driver. Be sure that it has a tough enough handle to handle a blow from a hammer and be sure that the can is held tightly so it doesn't tip over while giving the blow. A nail could be used too, but be careful, the can tends to want to tip over when doing it that way. Be sure to remove the screw driver or nail slowly so as to relieve the potential pressure slowly.
Blessings on you and do be safe!
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