Brides USA

5 “Stationers can charge as much as $7 per set for envelope

addressing, assembly, and mailing. Don’t be afraid to DIY; just

spread the work out over a few days.” —courtney jentzen

6 “Replace the traditional reply card with an RSVP postcard

to cut costs on both printing and postage.” —mariam naficy,

minted, san francisco

7 “Have your stationer design a seating-chart poster for $250

instead of personal escort cards, which are $3 each. For 100

guests, that’s $50 saved.” —courtney jentzen

8 “Skip individual menu cards and opt for one per table to reduce

printing charges by 90 percent. You can display the menu in a

nice-looking, inexpensive frame that gets guests talking.” —brooke

keegan, brooke keegan special events, newport beach, calif.

9 “Print one ceremony program per couple instead of one per

guest.” —sara fay egan, jackson durham floral and event

design, dallas

10 “Order day-of items—ceremony programs and dinner menus—

at the same time as the invitations. Doubling up minimizes

printing fees.” —cheree berry

Flowers

11 “Repurpose flowers! Use ceremony decor on the escort-card

table or bar and bridesmaids’ bouquets on reception tables.” —lind-

say coletta, lindsay coletta floral artistry and design, atlanta

12 “Don’t underestimate the beauty of foliage; it’s inexpensive

and adds a lot of size and texture to arrangements.” —rick davis

and christopher vazquez, amaryllis, inc., landover, md.

13 “Place single-stem flowers, like budget-friendly roses or

tulips, in slim bud holders. Arrange in groups of 20 or 30 at

varied heights for a stylish effect—and savings of $50 to $65

per centerpiece.” —jacqueline elfe, stellar style events, floral

& event design, new york

14 “Fill the room with candles to up the romance factor and

cut flower costs. Add depth by mixing tall candelabras and short

glasses with tea lights.” —molly middleton green, molly middle-

ton events, new york

15 “Take an organic approach and create centerpieces using fresh

fruit. Set lemons, oranges, or apples in a dish with flower petals,

or go glam and paint some of the fruit gold.” —jacqueline elfe

“ HAVE YOUR FLORIST CREATE A FEW

STATEMENT ARRANGEMENTS THAT

GUESTS WILL DROP DEAD OVER

INSTEAD OF SPREADING YOUR

BUDGET THIN WITH MANY SMALLER

FLORALS THEY’LL WALK RIGHT PAST.”

JUNE/JULY 2016 237