Chic for cheap?

Well, last time I blogged we were discussing the great guest list debate and quandary that is creating an invite list for your nuptials. My fiance’s family is large to begin with, and we have a significant array of college friends that we would love to share our day with, so now we are pressed with filling those last few precious spots on the 150 guest list. I know they say that quite a few off the list will not rsvp – but I am fairly certain we will have at least 135 to 140 off of the list rsvp. I am petrified of over-inviting, since every friend who is currently getting married is having a bulging pile of unexpected rsvp’s. I think at the most we would invite 160 and just hope for the best. The other factor, being, that my parents have generously agreed to pay the reception costs, and at 80 dollars a head, I do not want to take advantage of their generosity after they paid for the first 24 years of my life, college, etc.

So I enter the realm of DIY brides, and brides who are in the relentless pursuit of finding the best deal, that is still super chic, but budget friendly. Hopefully, I am one of many, and greeted with open arms. I see it as a sense of pride and enjoyment knowing that my fiancé and I will not be joining the ranks of uber expensive weddings, where money would have been better served going to a charity, house payment, etc, than on expensive florals and invitations that everyone (most everyone) throws away after the big day.

Well, we have booked the reception, the church, the photographer, the band, and I have found bridesmaids dresses, and THE dress – whew! All in two months time! I think now it is just up to me to make sure the little things do not run the budget up now that I have invested the majority of the budget in my must have items.

Thoughts? What were the things you set as your big ticket item for the big day? Mine: reception venue/food, band, and the dress…hopefully the list stops there!