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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!
I need some help on ideas for decorating my camping tent?
JAMEKA C
We camp a lot in a big group. This time around we are having a curb appeal contest. We will be judged on the creativity of decorating our tents making them feel like home and we have to bring the stuff with us. We can not use things from the camp site. I just need some ideas. Keep in mind I my most available power source is batteries and propane.
Answer
Definitely bring a couple of cute dishtowels to hang up as curtains in the mesh "window", if your tent has one. (You can "sell" the idea that they are curtains by tying them back with a sash.) Also, look for the plastic lattice segments that people put around flower beds; it will look like a mini picket fence. While you're at it, a few potted plants and flowers could go in your "yard". Make a "deck" with a few wooden boards (or vinyl imitation boards) and set out a couple of lawn chairs with a plastic table. A couple of fancy-looking drinks with paper umbrellas could brighten that table. A set of horseshoes or bocce balls will make the "lawn" look lived-in.
All of that is relatively cheap, not too heavy or bulky, and won't need any juice from your batteries. If you want to use something battery-powered, I would get one of those camp lamps that looks like a miniature table lamp, complete with lampshade. Put it on a table inside the tent, where it can be seen through the mesh window.
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