Something old, something new, something borrowed, something…like a celebrity? Yes, your big day can have all the glitz and glamour of a celebrity wedding without having to empty your pocketbook. Be inspired by your favorite celebs big day while planning the perfect moments of your own wedding on a budget.
Typical components of today’s most over-the-top celebrity weddings include the dress, cake, menu, décor and personalization. A-listers dish out millions to make their big day one of the most exclusive events in Hollywood. While your wedding may not be front-page news, you can get the same celebrity-feel for less than half the budget and all the shine.
Dress
From a bright-eyed little girl dancing in her mother’s high heels to a frantic bride scouring the racks of bridal boutiques, we have forever dreamt of our perfect wedding gown. We have hoped for a dress that will bring tears to the eyes of our groom and leave our guests in awe. A budget-friendly trick is to select your favorite Vera Wang or Monique Lhuillier design, pick your favorite elements, and mold them into your own custom gown. Opt for a hoop skirt for that extra “umph” and a rhinestone-encrusted dress instead of the more expensive choices of Swarovski Crystals and a ball gown. “I was determined to wear shoes like the Manolo Blahniks that Carrie Bradshaw wore in ‘Sex in the City’ when she married Big and I finally found a great knock-off pair!” says future bride Cari Franklin.
Cake
The perfect wedding cake is essential when planning your big day. It is important that the cake tastes great, looks beautiful, and is the ideal keep sake for you and your husband to unwrap on your one-year anniversary. The goal is to avoid the Sylvia Weinstock price while maintaining her unique designs. Choose your favorite style celebrity cake and do a scaled down version, then make sure you have plenty of sheet cake in the back to serve up to your guests (they will never know the difference). Country crooner Carrie Underwood played on her southern roots while planning the desert menu for her wedding. The couple offered buttermilk pies and an assortment of gourmet red velvet cupcakes. You can incorporate the same southern charm into your menu by having a friend or family member bake your favorite childhood treats.
Menu
The dinner menu at a celebrity wedding is often made up of the finest foods exclusively for the most sophisticated pallets. It is possible to obtain the same high-end feel as Eva Longoria’s themed dinner coined “Crazy Red Passion” including lobster medallion skewers, filet mignon, and creamy truffle risotto. Recipes of celebrity chefs are available online or in cookbooks where brides can get inspiration. When choosing beverages opt for three or four signature cocktails rather than a full bar to dramatically reduce your bill.
Décor
Your guest list might not include top names of television icons like Barbara Walters or Regis Philbin like Ivanka Trump’s 2009 wedding but the decor can be just as grand. Many celebrities order the finest flowers from all over the world. If flowers are important for you to have displayed at your wedding then coordinate your wedding date with the time of year that your favorite flowers are in bloom. Try thrift stores for vintage centerpieces and a timeless old Hollywood look.
Personalization
Personalization is a key factor in many celebrity weddings. Celebrities often choose this route because it sets them apart from the cliché, stuffy wedding that many Hollywood couples are known for. Pick one or two items that are meaningful to you and your groom and incorporate them into your decor or wedding favors. Adam Sandler and his wife distributed their favorite Krispy Kreme donuts to their guests as a thank you for attending. Carrie Underwood numbered her tables with hockey pucks made out of the dark chocolate in honor of her hockey player beau. Personalization is a fun, easy, and inexpensive way to make your wedding special.
Vendors often use celebrity weddings as a platform to help get their products seen. If Britney Spears is draped in Neil Lane diamonds then Neil Lane will often be the popular choice for celebrity wedding jewels.Most brides don’t exactly have Mindy Weiss knocking down their door willing to offer up a discount, so it’s important that you think of all the alternatives.
The key to having a lavish celebrity-style wedding on a budget is to be inspired by your favorite celebrity’s wedding. Recreate your favorite moments of their weddings and make them your own. It is important to lean on your friends and family for help. Remember, you don’t have to have Juicy Couture jumpsuits for your bridesmaids or even a Swarovski Crystal collar for your dog to make your wedding the hottest event of the season!
*The cake pictured was made by Jessica Zwanziger and Amanda Beckelhimer at the Art Institute of Tennessee