Luxury Style Budget Wedding Reception Tips

1. To get a lavish look on a modest decor budget, choose a venue with a lot of character of its own. Some possibilities: an aquarium, zoo, museum, gallery, botanical garden or historical site.

2. Rent a vacation home or private estate for a small, intimate affair. ‘They may charge a week’s worth in rent but it may still be equal to or less than renting a traditional reception venue,’ says Maryrose Griffith of Maryrose Griffith Event Design and Coordination in San Diego, California.

3. Choose a theme or motif and carry it through the event for a stylish look, says Chelsie Zachman, owner of evenements, an event-planning company in Fort Worth, Texas. For example, start with a pattern on your invitation, perhaps elegant scrollwork, and incorporate it into other elements like programs, favors, escort cards or even gobo lights for the dance floor.

4. Use color to posh effect, says Griffith. Using a rich hue such as chocolate brown or deep eggplant can give any color palette a stylish look without costing you any extra green stuff. They work with a variety of shades like apple green, light blue, orange, pink or red.

5. Have a cocktail reception, but be cost-conscious by focusing on a beautiful display rather than tons and tons of food. ‘Butlers in tuxedos passing trays of a few kinds of stylish hors d’oeuvres seems more high-end than chafing dishes on a buffet table, but the cost is roughly the same,’ says Zachman.

6. Ask your venue’s wait staff to don white gloves while they’re serving. ‘You can buy gloves for just 50 cents a pair,’ says Samantha Goldberg of Gold Events in Chester, New Jersey.

7. Attach a small bouquet or floral garland to the backs of the bride’s and groom’s chairs to give them a special look.

8. Change up your chairs. Try white suede for the lead table and regular white chairs for the rest of the guests.

9. Standard banquet chairs. In: Elegant chiavari chairs (see photo, lower left) at $9 each to rent, or chameleon chairs at about $10 each to rent.

10. Invest in a little lighting-for a huge impact. Get a wash of color on walls with uplights, suggests Griffith. ‘Even two or three lights accentuating a focal point will change the feel of the room,’ she says. Costs for the light rentals would run from $12 to $35 each, including color gels.

11. Another bright idea: Use pin spot lights, at $25 to $50 each, to give extra presence to your tables.

12. Griffith likes to splurge on well-placed plush lounge furniture. ‘Lounge furniture is more affordable than you might think,’ she says. ‘A set of curved benches, for example, might run you about $400. And your guests will feel spoiled!’

13. Order custom window clings (perfect for personalizing glass doors at your venue) or glassware monograms at websites like wonderfulgraffitiwedding.com. Prices for the clings start at $24, depending on size; for glassware, $24 for a set of 50.

14. Wrought-iron trees, available at stores like Pier 1, for $25 to $30, make a chic backdrop. Take them up a notch by hanging votives or glittering ornaments from the branches.

15. Use natural elements with earthy, upscale appeal. Goldberg suggests filling a two- to three-foot-high vase with a base of river rocks and adding dramatic branches of curly willow. Place these arrangements at the entrance to your cocktail hour and/or reception.

Luxury Style Budget Wedding Table Setting Tips

16. Upgrade your linens. Griffith suggests pintuck, shantung or another glamorous fabric. ‘For just $15 to $30 per table, they’re the biggest bang for your buck you can get,’ she says.

17. While you’re at it, you can rent napkins in a color or pattern for about $1 each, adding a pop of vibrant color and a more custom look at the same time.

18. Go a little longer than floor length with your table linens. ‘Pooling linens makes a much more luxurious, opulent look,’ notes Zachman.

19. Another option: Rent a gauzy overlay, for $9 to $25 apiece, to dress up your table. Or buy sheer organza at a fabric store and have overlays made for just $5 to $7 apiece.

20. Another table topper: If you (or someone else you know) is handy, create your own table runners. You can go for something extraluxury in your fabric because you won’t need a great deal of it.

21. Accent your table with pretty napkin rings. ‘You can rent them in different styles for three or four dollars each or buy them for as little as 99 cents apiece,’ says Goldberg.

22. Top each napkin with a single bloom and tie with a coordinating ribbon, recommends New York City-based event planner Leslie Price of In Any Event.

23. Fold it fancy. ‘A unique napkin fold can make a statement and most venues won’t charge for it,’ says Price. One option: Fold the napkin to create a pocket to hold a menu.

24. Use ribbon to upgrade candleholders. Hold the ribbon in place with sticky dots, says Laura Clare, owner of Laura Clare Floral Design and Event Decor in Hoboken, New Jersey.

25. Place a colored or textured charger ($1 to $1.50 each) underneath the dinner plates.

26. Instead of using clear glass votive holders, try colored or etched ones, suggests Price. Try your local crafts store or candles4less.com, where you can get a box of 12 for $5.

27. Use mirrors or frosted glass to cover your tables. It makes a dazzling effect and saves you the cost of providing linens.

28. Shake up the table shapes. Try a long rectangular table. These come at the same price as typical round shapes but bring a more sophisticated look.

29. To make flower arrangements seem grander and more stylish for just a few dollars, wrap inexpensive glass containers in handmade paper, wallpaper or fabric and add a ribbon, suggests Griffith.

30. In place of pricey flowers for centerpieces, consider romantic candelabras draped in crystals. Tabletop candelabras can be rented for $25 to $55 at websites like simplyelegantwed.com.

31. Go for chic and simple centerpieces. Instead of paying $75 to $125 each for elaborate table arrangements, purchase tall, clear cylinders from the local dollar store to use as containers for single orchids or rose petals in water with floating candles on top, suggests Goldberg.

32. Or use colored water in your centerpieces to coordinate with your decor. The effect is magical in candlelight.

33. Set reception tables with colored or patterned china instead of standard white. The cost will be $3-$7 per setting.

34. Glow on! ‘Use candlelight to give your room a rich, romantic look,’ says Zachman. ‘It’s highly affordable.’

35. Make it metallic. ‘Metallic items look extravagant but don’t cost any more than their counterparts,’ says Zachman, who suggests presenting favors in little gold boxes and choosing a shimmery champagne color for linens.

36. Vary the height, size or shape of centerpieces. ‘Doing so creates dimension and keeps the eye flowing throughout the room,’ explains Griffith. ‘It’s a nice effect.’

37. Play around with centerpiece containers for a more custom look. One of Zachman’s Texas brides is filling specialty cowboy boots with wildflowers for a casually elegant air.

38. Want to double the impact of your flower arrangements without adding a dime to your florist bill? Place your blooms in front of a mirror-the reflection will create an ultralush look.

39. A fresh centerpiece idea: Fill clear containers with sliced limes, lemons or oranges. In the center of the fruit, place a tall glass with a votive to illuminate the arrangement.

Luxury Style Budget Wedding Stationary Tips

40. Griffith’s savvy stationery tip: Invest the money to have your invitations designed professionally, but then print your own save-the-dates, programs, menus and escort cards using the same fonts, colors and style as your custom invites.

41. Say ciao to costly hand-done calligraphy. Either print the envelopes on your computer, using a calligraphy font, or have them printed at your local print/copy shop for just pennies each.

42. Kick off your celebration in high style with a glamorous invite. ‘Invitations set the mood for the wedding, so go beyond the standard white card,’ says Zachman. You’ll get a much more impressive look with a color.

43. Bring on the bling. ‘Faux crystals-on bouquets, the cake, invitations, place cards and menus-are eye-catching and give an expensive feel,’ says Griffith. You can purchase glass beads inexpensively at local crafts stores.

44. Place a beautiful menu at each guest’s place. Many venues will print them for you for free, or you can make them yourself without spending much.

45. Get creative with escort cards and/or place cards. In some cases you can do a different shape or color for less than you’d pay for the typical tented fold-over cards, says Clare.

46. Instead of just lining up escort cards on a table, string them from branches or nestle them in a bed of grass, sand, rocks or flower petals.

47. Splurge on hand calligraphy for your escort cards, place cards or table numbers.

48. Dress up your escort cards and table numbers by choosing paper with a metallic sheen rather than a flat card stock, says Zachman. If you were to purchase card stock yourself, you’d pay about $40 per 100 sheets for metallic and about $27 per 100 sheets of flat. The difference would be about 13 cents a sheet.

49. For an elegant look, ask the calligrapher to spell out table numbers (six instead of 6), says Price.

Luxury Style Budget Wedding Entertainment Tips

50. Hire out-of-the-ordinary entertainment for a high-impact cocktail hour. To save costs, opt for a three-piece ensemble instead of a five-piece. Or use standout musicians for the cocktail hour and switch to a DJ for dancing later on in the evening.

51. Instead of hiring a group for the cocktail hour, have a solo musician, like a classical guitarist, add something different and delightful.

52. Consider a musical group that combines a DJ and musicians who perform along with the recorded music. It’ll get the crowd dancing, and provide the upscale feel of a live band at less expense.

53. If you’re hiring a DJ, consider a live bongo player or sax player to accompany the CD spinner.

Luxury Style Budget Wedding Food Tips

54. When selecting butler-passed foods, go for visually pleasing nibbles. Red gazpacho shooters with a green garnish look great lined up on a tray.

55. Start your meal with an amuse- bouche, a tasty pre-dinner bite. Try: an espresso cup of soup, a mini crab cake or a single scallop. Dropping the salad course and replacing it with an amuse-bouche is usually done at no extra cost.

56. Presenting food in eye-catching ways creates a chic impression but doesn’t have to add costs. ‘Most chefs enjoy creating unique presentations,’ says Zachman. ‘If they have items available, like shot glasses, ceramic teaspoons and so on, they can use these at no further cost to you.’

57. Plan your menu around such inexpensive ethnic cuisines as Mexican, Indian or Greek.

58. Treat your guests to an appetizer duo or dessert trio. Price’s insider secret: If your venue offers four courses, negotiate down to three and use the ‘credit’ to pay for the duo or trio. For a dessert trio, for example, you might serve a mini flourless chocolate cake, a berry tartlet and a shortbread cookie.

59. Adopt a leaf motif. For a summery look, serve appetizers on petite tropical leaves and use a leaf as a charger under the dinner plate, says Clare. ‘You can even use a long pod or a sturdy leaf as a serving tray. Guests will really enjoy the ingenuity!’

60. Add an unexpected accent to dishes with pretty herbs or edible flowers, such as pansies or squash blossoms, says Clare.

61. Classic cocktails-an old-fashioned, anyone?-are making a comeback. Offer one or two kinds of mixed drinks, and you’ll imbue your reception with a sophisticated, vintage feel that guests will be sure to remember.

62. Have waiters work the room. ‘Passing specialty drinks can upgrade your look, and most venues will include it in their package,’ says Price.

63. The champagne tower is back in style, says Clare. Create one by stacking glasses in a pyramid shape. There may be a small setup cost. Drop single raspberries into glasses for extra effect.

64. Float a slice of lemon, orange, lime or a strawberry or raspberry in each guest’s water glass.

65. Instead of a budget-busting full, open bar, offer your guests a signature cocktail, chosen to complement your wedding colors, suggests Griffith.

66. Decorate your wedding cake with fresh flowers to match your decor (less expensive than sugarpaste!). ‘Most florists will provide this for you at a minimal charge if they’re already providing other elements of your wedding,’ says Price.

67. Sweet and simple: Have your caterer decorate dessert plates with a swirl or drizzle of chocolate or fruit-flavored sauce.

68. Make coffee chic by serving each cup of joe with a rock candy swizzle stick, says Price.

69. Ask your baker to cover your confection in a soft gold fondant rather than white. ‘Fondant airbrushed in gold looks really rich and extravagant,’ says Zachman.

70. Display your favorite goodies-cookies, candy, potato chips, whatever you’re known for noshing-in containers or even vases of different heights, shapes and sizes.

71. Take your goodie bar up a notch by providing customized ‘to go’ bags or boxes with a stamp or sticker with your names or logo, says Griffith.

72. An elaborate wedding cake can be very pricey. Instead, offer miniature pies, petit fours or individual servings of creme brulee.

73. A cupcake tower is another fun and budget-friendly change from a traditional cake. A five-tier tower may cost as little as $60.

74. Or steal an idea from one of Zachman’s brides and have an outrageously rich brownie tower.

75. Choose favors that do double duty as escort card holders. Clare suggests writing each guest’s name on a pot with a keepsake plant tucked inside.

If you think that celebrities like Beyonce, Katherine Heigl, Jennifer Lopez and Ashlee Simpson are the only ones who can score engagement and wedding rings made just for them, think again. ‘There are couples out there that don’t have a fortune but do want something special,’ says New York jewelry designer Sarah Perlis, who often creates custom rings for clients. She estimates that her one-of-a-kind engagement rings can cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000. Here, we’ve outlined four ways to have a hand in designing your own unique baubles.

The Match Game

Let’s start with the most basic way to customize: find the loose diamond you want, match it to a ring setting you love and voila!-you’ve created a piece that’s perfect for you. Most jewelers should be able to give you this option. If you choose to do this, first familiarize yourselves with the four Cs of diamond buying: carat, cut, clarity and color. (See bridalguide.com/diamonds.) Know which of the four Cs are most important to you, and consider as many stones in your price range as you can. Remember that you often can select from a variety of metal options, too, such as white gold, yellow gold or platinum. You may be surprised by how easy the process is!

Playing Favorites

Love the pave diamond detail of one ring but don’t love the setting? Then have that detail placed in a setting you do love. Paul Tacorian of Tacori, who has customized rings for celebrities like Ellen Pompeo and the cast of The Bachelor, estimates that it may cost about $500 to alter a setting a jeweler has in stock (plus the cost of any additional diamonds). ‘This is something you are going to wear for the rest of your life, so don’t be afraid to do some modifications,’ says Tacorian.

Start From Scratch

Another option: Commission a designer to create your ideal ring from the bottom up, whether you have a picture of it in your mind or you just want something that’s a hundred percent made for you. The key to doing it properly is what Tacorian calls the ‘fifth C’: communication. ‘At a reputable jeweler, have a sales associate guide you through the process,’ he advises. You’ll want to give the jeweler as much information as you can about what you’ve envisioned, as well as a sense of your personal style. (Something made for you should reflect you, naturally!) Then the designer will either create a sketch of your soon-to-be ring or verbally convey exactly what it will look like. Perlis estimates a two to three week turnaround for a custom-designed ring like this.

Your Unique Wedding Ring

If you’re a real hands-on type, this option’s perfect for you. Sam Abbay of New York Wedding Ring instructs couples on how to build your wedding ring as they measure and cut metal for their wedding bands, then file, clean and polish it, all of which takes one eight-hour day. Since it’s more complicated to create a diamond setting, engagement rings take a little longer. ‘Many couples enjoy spending the time together on this project,’ says Abbay. ‘Plus, building it yourself makes the ring feel more personal and meaningful.’ One way some couples make the process even more memorable is by melting jewelry passed down by family members and combining it to fashion a truly one-of-a-kind ring.

Photography: David Kressler.

Living Room Comforts

Warm up your space with plush pillows, soft throws and chic table accessories.

From Left: Chair, $299, with slipcover, $59.99, from IKEA. Pillows, $10.95-$35, from Pier 1 Imports. Chenille throw, $29.99, from JCPenney. Faux-leather tray, $69.95, from Z Gallerie. Blue glass lamp, $39.99, from bedbathandbeyond.com. Leaf-patterned frame, $14.99, from Cost Plus World Market. Capiz shell frame, $5.99, from HomeGoods. Square glass vases (on table and floor), $12-$59, from Pottery Barn. Nesting boxes, $57/set of 3, by Midori. Bamboo mat, $99, from Cost Plus World Market. Wallpaper, $47/single roll, by Ashford House.

Kitchen Goodies

Cute pieces make it fun to dine and entertain at home.

	These pastel-striped dishtowels are practical and pretty, by Now Designs. $2
	New knobs and pulls, like these from Target, give cabinets and drawers an instant update, sold in sets of 4. $28
	White ceramic lattice napkin holder, from Sur la Table, holds floral napkins by Paperproducts Design. $30
	Perch a mini herb garden of mint, marjoram and lemon basil on your windowsill, by wrapables.com. $30
	A movable cart from IKEA frees up counter space. Cutting board by Architec. Utensils by Cusipro. Each sold separately. $129
	Keep snacks, cereal and baking necessities fresh in a set of colorful canisters, from walmart.com. $20
	Customize your drawers with dividers, from The Container Store. Flatware by Gibson. $3.99-$6.99

Bath Beauties

Create your own soothing oasis with colorful budget-conscious items.

	Get a glow with this set of three scented candles, by BlissLiving. $40
	Attractive baskets store toiletries and extra towels, from Cost Plus World Market. $9.99-$14.99
	Supersoft cotton towels, by Martha Stewart Everyday for Kmart, are a necessary indulgence. $3.99-$6.99
	A splash of color on the wall makes a fresh impression, from Olympic Premium paint. $18
	Marimekko’s stylized leaf shower curtain, from Crate & Barrel, spruces up your morning routine. $50
	Kohl’s flower-sprigged plush round bath mat is the perfect a.m. wake-up call. $30

Photography: Alexandra Grablewski.