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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Budget Tight? Where to Squeeze....




So, money is tight, but that does not mean parties need to be cancelled. Celebrations are a huge part of life and money should not stand in the way of a fabulous gathering. Yes, money is a big part of planning and putting on an event with friends and family, so I wanted to share with you some tips on saving money on your budget and getting the most bang for your buck. 

1. Say no to an open bar! Open bars are a huge drain on your budget. Whether its a wedding, graduation party, birthday etc, open bars can suck you dry. But, I know people still need their potions for parties. So here is my suggestion. Select a lovely red, and white wine that you enjoy, maybe a beer that ties into a memory for the party or occasion, and then select a specialty cocktail. Having the simple combination of beer, wine, and a specialty drink covers your bases and everyone can select something that they like best. Speciality cocktails are HUGE right now. People are designing drinks, giving them custom names, mainly for event branding purposes, and this really makes a statement and gets people excited! For example, you select a smooth Merlot, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc and then have a Pomegranate and Cranberry Martini- that you name Love Potion #9 on the menu that will really make you look, first of all, super trendy, and second of all, no one will suspect that you are trimming your budget down. 



2. Use a single bloom for centerpieces. To me, nothing is more stunning, and simple than one beautiful bloom in a small vase repeated throughout an event. This keeps costs down and style way up. First select a flower that matches the mood and purpose of the event. Think rose=romance/drama, tulip=playful, light orchid=modern/chic etc! Once your bloom is picked, go the dollar store, Michael's, or even a Pier 1 or Ikea to select some skinny vases. Plop down the vases on tables, buffets, cake tables and let blooms really speak for themselves. This technique is elegant and simple.

Here is an example of an even simpler way to utilize your glasses if you are having an event at home. This mason jar makes a homey yet fun statement with a single pink rose. This is such an easy way to keep your stress down while looking simply stunning! 

3. Go the email route! If the event is casual enough to not have formal invitation, send an evite, or an e-mail invitation to your attendees. There are so many cool ways to utilize the internet when it comes to events. Evite is a free online service that allows you to pick a template and fill in your event information. Then you add your guest's email addresses and poof your cost is ZERO and everyone is invited. This system also tracks RSVP's. Another cool site that offers invitations is Sendomatic. This website has a small fee but is free from advertising. This website is a great resource to all you event interested people out there. It offers ideas, trends, tips, etc! This one tracks RSVP's as well. This money saving tip is also environmentally friendly. I am always looking for ways to keep mother nature happy and limiting paper products is always a way to reduce out footprint on the earth. 




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