Cost of decor- stage/ aisle/ centerpieces/ lighting

somehowcollide · January 15, 2009, 12:53pm

Baseball 2006

Shay for my wedding and walima, the halls took care of all the decorations I had in mind. All I had to provide them with was some extra candles since I was obsessed with them and mind you they add a GORGEOUS touch so keep them in mind. But since I had desi vendors both days they were more than happy to set things up for me and do things my way.

For the mehendi, I had to do things my own way myself since we were only getting the hall, tables, chairs and food. I bought color coordinated tablecloths, napkins and cups from 99 cent stores and Party City. Most of shopping for candles, flowers, streamers and balloons was done at various small discount stores which were a blessing for me, especially since I love in New York and I was on a budget!

For my stage, my dad’s best friend had a wooden mandap in his house which the men set up the morning of the mehendi. They decorated it with shiny gold wallpaper, yellow/green flowers, yellow green candles, and a takat with colorful cushions and a backdrop to die for.

Another important note***
I thought I was superwoman and that I could do all the decorating myself but that is near to impossible considering that you have to take care of yourself, your guests and everything in between which is not easy. I know friends that gave decorations priority over their looks and others vice versa. It all depends on you. Make sure you can count on at least 3-5 other people that can help you with decorations and that they are done on time the way you would like it to. I wanted to go decorate my mehendi hall sooo bad, but the aunties would not even entertain that thought and plus I had freshly done mehendi all over my hands and feet and so I had to rely on others to do the deed.

This is a GREAT point. I am extremely artistically inclined, very creative. I fell in love with a manzanita centerpiece online that costs over $300 Swarovski Crystal Complete Tree Set - Includes 20’ Crystal, Branches, Filler & Stand - Adjustable 4.75’ - 5’ Tall

I figured out how to make it at home and ordered all the pieces. Mashallah I came extremely close in mimicking the design exactly and only spent about $60 per tree. The problem was that my wedding was thousands of miles away from where I lived. There was no way I could make dozens of these these gorgeous manzanita trees at home and ship them to where I was to be married. And it was ridiculous to think that I could make them over there even if I flew in early. Logistically, it was too much work.

And I didn’t want to run around on my wedding day making sure my crystal trees were perfect. As a result we are paying a hefty premium for stage decor, linens, centerpieces, cake table, gift table etc. But in my opinion, it is money very well spent. I have complete piece of mind and don’t have to worry about how everything will come together.

Someone else will handle that headache and I am essentially paying for my peace of mind! Also, if you’re going for maximum impact, invest in good lighting. Another thing to consider would be fresh flower alternatives; candles, dead brances, etc. Fresh flowers are quite expensive and the costs add up.