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How to Boost Your Wedding Without Breaking the Bank
You’re planning a wedding on a budget, and the last few months have been exactly as you’ve imagined: increasing stress followed by a moment of happiness, more stress, then a light at the end of the tunnel. Repeat. There are what feels like a million sites online to both inspire and distract you from finding the perfect dress, offering instructions on how to handle the in-laws, and tips on planning the perfect low-budget nuptials. You’ve got this! And it’s going to be great.
With your wedding location secured, RSVPs coming in, and the honeymoon booked, you’re now ready to prepare your home and backyard for a post-rehearsal fete. Even with a well-executed menu and a few inexpensive DIY decorations, there are a few things to consider for the comfort of your guests if you’re partying outside. Your recipe for success? Show them where the party is, guide them with way-finding rugs and lighting, and keep pesky mosquitoes at bay while they’re celebrating with you. Here are a few additional tips to help brighten your special day.
Bring the Outdoors In
If your wedding will be in your or a friend’s home, free up pathways throughout major traffic-flow areas so guests can move about with ease - and not wander where they shouldn't. Laying low-cost, indoor-outdoor rugs is an efficient way to help lead the way, as well as protect your precious indoor floors. (Think about inexpensive some runners!). Large-scale outdoor rugs can also extend your party space well into your backyard. Then your guests can enjoy time at their assigned tables adorned with beautiful custom table numbers and seating cards.
Extra Wellness notes that not all rugs are created equal. Look for rugs with a blend of natural and synthetic fibers, those that are washable, and, if for use outdoors, created with UV-treated material to prevent fading from the sun. Of course, have fun with color and pattern. It’s your party — do as you wish!
Organize and Spruce Up Guest Bedrooms
If you’ve invited family or friends to stay over in your guest bedrooms, then you want to make sure they have a space that’s comfortable and relaxing. That means spending some time organizing and decluttering. There are many online guides that can give you an A-to-Z breakdown of what you need to do to enhance your organization game. Don’t be afraid to put these tips and resources into practice wherever you can.
In addition to getting new linens, take a look around the room and ask yourself an important question: Are the walls bringing the room down? If so, look into custom wallpaper to suit your taste, which you can easily apply to your walls. Unhappy with how things turned out? You can replace and reposition them as needed. And since wallpaper comes in a variety of colors and patterns these days, you’ll have plenty of options when you’re hunting for the right look.
Illuminate your Outdoor Space
From solar-powered spotlights to party string lights, backyard lights are a low-cost and relatively simple way to add outdoor ambiance while extending indoor living spaces. Transform your backyard from blasé to spectacular with the thoughtful placement of party lights. Worried about running a power cord through your party? Solar-powered string lights will illuminate your party for up to six hours once charged.
Need a little extra kick? LED lights, which use up to 90 percent less energy, cast a strong glow. Some even let you change from a nice white glow to red or blue with the click of a button. String lights are loaded with potential, like stringing them over your patio, under an awning, or over a pool of water. That extra bit of sparkle makes for a great atmosphere, so let your imagination lead the way!
Even though the party may be in the backyard, don’t forget about the front. Guests will arrive at the front of your house, and you want things to look picture perfect for their welcome. Sprucing up the landscaping with mulch and flowering plants can make a big difference in presentation. The best part is that adding some curb appeal for your special day can also increase the value of your home! Just make sure you save your receipts; if you decide to make good on that bonus, it could help with your appraisal.
Don’t Bug Out
Of course, if you and your guests are enjoying the great outdoors, odds are pesky mosquitoes will be too. There are a couple of options here. Several easy-to-grow mosquito-repelling plants (in most regions) can be peppered throughout your backyard, either in containers or in perimeter garden beds. Lavender, which is a hearty, drought-resistant perennial plant, is thought to hinder a mosquito’s ability to smell, and looks beautiful in full bloom. Rosemary and Basil, both with pungent smells – at least to mosquitoes – do well in containers and will double as herbs for your party menu. If gardening isn’t on your wedding to-do timeline, citronella candles placed in outdoor gathering areas will help ward off unwanted guests.
Preparing your house before your big day is definitely one other thing on your to-do list. But if you stick to your already-careful planning, stay organized, and even enlist some friends and family to help, you can have your house ready and your mind at ease when it comes time to celebrate. And if you need some professional assistance bringing together your perfect wedding, be sure to get in touch with the pros at L&T Associate's
Cassidy Gibson-Cooper
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