Weddings on a shoe string

The Afternoon Show wedding planner Tara Fay and her Top Tips
(comments by Marie Caffrey)

Tara Fay: Check how many brides are using that church that week, (not just that day) and agree an amount to spend on flowers for the week.
Marie Caffrey: This could prove to be pretty difficult, time-wise in getting in touch with other brides, money-wise on phone-calls and headache-wise trying to convince them-this sounds like a bit of a nightmare.
TF: Another great option that we have used before is to recycle old tin cans (make sure to wash out) and tie a piece of pretty ribbon around the centre and either use as a candle holder or fill with some foliage or flowers
MC: I work in a restaurant and am in constant contact with tin cans – opening them is a nightmare, washing them is dangerous and keeping them are likely to result in an accident- and I know this from experience.
TF: There are some really good high street styles that are not necessarily wedding dresses that could work.
MC:I would not recommend in any way ‘really good high street styles that are not necessarily wedding dresses’- this is the one occasion where everybody sees what everybody else is wearing- and if any guests outfits are vaguely similar its EMBARRASSING , note that Ms. Fay also mentions “ that could work”. Would you feel at ease with could ?
TF: Bridesmaids' dresses - if you are not too hung up on what the bridesmaids wear, you could ask them to buy their own dresses (they do in the US).
MC:I have never heard of a not too hung up Bride? It’s a little like saying ‘You can wear whatever you want as long as you buy it yourself’- a very risky number- god knows what could end up down the isle!
TF: Mass booklets/ceremony outlines are not compulsory - if you feel you must do something print a one pager with the readers' names, the list of music and the readings
MC: I find this particular tip difficult to follow- its like going to a show or a football match and taking a flyer instead of a programme-you lose out as you are not likely to appreciate and understand the occasion fully.
TF: Invitations - make a postcard style invite yourself and send out to your guest, less paper required, no envelope needed and no RSVP card.
MC: Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh laughed at this – which says it all- ‘everybody will know about your event- even the postman!’- So you’ll be placed in the awkward position of politely through gritted teeth saying ‘No you’re not invited’.
TF: Carpet, aisle runner - look at the floor of the church most of them are very beautiful and you don't need one.
MC: Does anybody need one of these?
TF: Check which jeweller is doing a special - there is always some deal somewhere- especially auction houses- but beware of auction fees
MC:The best deal is with Ryanair to Antwerp.
TF:Photography - if you can't afford a professional photographer, perhaps approach a photography student or find a friend who is a photographer
MC:I have noted from experience that trying to approach students can be difficult- They don’t read newspapers, don’t visit job sites and walk by notice boards. E-mails, faxes and letters to lecturers don’t produce results either.
Finding a friend who is a photographer is like finding a needle in a haystack- you’re either lucky or you’re not.
TF: Food & Venue: Ask a friend or family member with a big house (or even one big room) if you can borrow their house for the day. Another great option is a church hall or small community hall. Decorate it like a fete and serve an afternoon tea to your guests. Another option is to ask your more culinary minded guests to each bring a course for about 10 people, if you have 10 people do this you have enough food for each guest. If you have to hire in any furniture, use whatever is the most mismatched version you can get for the cheapest amount and use paper plates and napkins and plastic glasses bla bla bla bla
I can not comment on this- or I will be here all night……………….This tip kills me- it really does
TF: Entertainment: Get your guests to become their own entertainment.????? Hire a karaoke machine (one with an option to plug in an iPod for later). You can easily get 2-3 hours of good entertainment out of this. With the IPod option, you can create different play lists for dinner, before and after the karaoke session and for going home music.
MC: It gets worse…And this was Andrea Roche’s Wedding planner ?
TF: Honeymoon: Who made it compulsory to have a honeymoon immediately after a wedding, look for the best option for deals and go when it suits both of you; this could be six months later.
MC: No respect but If I was desperate enough to act on all of these tips - I would be out of here the next day- far, far away