Mount Pleasant Magazine Jan/Feb2016

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• Many brides don’t consider
how expensive flowers can be. A
simple bride’s bouquet made with
in-season flowers can average up to
about $200, but some flowers such
as peonies can send the cost skyward.
Adding bouquets and boutonnieres
for the bridal party plus decorations
for the ceremony and floral
centerpieces can easily make flowers a
considerable expense.
• Cutting the
cake is expected
at the wedding
and it does make
for fun photos,
but, again, it is
essential to shop
around and visit
the bakers. It’s
wise to schedule
a consultation
well in advance
to discuss the
flavor and style
of the cake.
Professional
bakers can create
amazing designs
that will reflect
your personality
and your
excellent taste,
but this service
does come at a
price. A good
alternative is
cupcakes in a
variety of flavors,
but you may still want a cake for
cutting.
• Find an officiant you like. In South
Carolina, notary publics can perform
marriages, and so can ordained ministers.
The officiant must sign the marriage
license and file it with the court.
It’s easy to plan a perfect wedding
if you have unlimited funds, but it
also is possible to create a beautiful
and memorable wedding on a budget.
Invite just the people you really love.
Choose a weekday ceremony to save
on a fancy venue. Consider a city park
or the beach. Keep the flowers simple
and, if you have a talented friend or
relative, ask them to make bouquets
and centerpieces. Get some supplies
from a craft shop and invite your
girlfriends to make wedding favors.
Design your own invitations – or
purchase a design from a site such as
Etsy – and take them to a printer.
And remember, whether your
wedding is small gathering in a
friend’s backyard or a large formal
event at an exclusive venue, it’s really
about the two of you making a
commitment to each other.