Look at the napkins!  Their color…  how they are folded…  and where they are placed… make a huge difference in the look of the tablescape. This is an easy and inexpensive way to personalize and accent your wedding reception tables!

All images courtesy of Project Wedding.

The Look For Less is a regular feature on our blog.  We’ve reached out to leading wedding planners to get their expert advice on how to get a great look at your wedding, without breaking the bank.

I love today’s feature by Lynda Barness at I DO Wedding Consulting in Philadelphia. The idea is so simple and smart.  And when you think about napkins as part of your decor, instead of just well, napkins, it really can enhance your look.  Without adding cost.

Grace Beason | Grace Leisure Events: The creative, budget savvy bride knows that choosing local is a great way to cut costs. And as wedding planner, this is some of the best advice I can give you.  Choose Local!

This means many things but above all, try sourcing your flowers locally from local floral producers or even from farmers markets.  Put your flowers together yourself or make sure you work wit a local florist who is game to source things locally.  This not only decreases the carbon footprint of your wedding (dahlias from down the road versus tulips from the Netherlands), but saves you money because the flowers had to travel a shorter distance to make it from their home to your florist and into your gorgeous wedding centerpieces.

Another great idea is to have your caterer source their food locally.  This is now becoming a very hot trend (hopefully one that sticks) with restaurants and caterers. (You may not even need to suggest it, but be sure that you ask). The more “farm to table” you can get with your food items, the better off your budget will be and again, the friendlier it is to our planet.

When looking at the overall scope of your wedding, do the best you can to go local with all of your vendors.  Choose a tent company in your home town rather than one a town over, even if they have a style you like better.  Get invitations made from recycled paper (Crane’s, for example, uses all recycled paper), and find a band that is in town rather than one you need to fly in from New York City.

Every choice you make for your wedding impacts the environment and your pocketbook.  Why not choose local and affect them both positively?

We’ve reached out to leading wedding planners to get their expert advice on how to get a great look at your wedding, without breaking the bank. You can find all of these amazing tips in our The Look For Less category.

Today’s post was written by Grace Beason of Grace Leisure Events. They specialize in sophisticated, innovative and unforgettable weddings and events in North Carolina and beyond. Owner and head planner Grace L.P. Beason combines Manhattan style, savvy and class with Southern charm, wit and beauty creating events that are truly unique, and uniquely you.

Carnations – making a come back!

I know what you have to say – Carnations – really?!!?!?? Yes – Carnations! They are a beautiful choice when appropriately used – plus they are a super affordable option and come in such a wide verity of colors they are the perfect flower for many wedding applications.

We searched the web for some great images of carnation uses at weddings and found these for you to check out. They are great for structured looks – like balls, and tight arrangements. I agree, they are not a great filler flower – they tend to stick out, but check out these great applications and uses of carnations and I dare you to tell me that they are not beautiful!

Photo courtesy of Wedding Jeannie.

Photo courtesy of Cornerstone Events.

Here is a wedding that I did this past August. Alicia’s colors were Navy and Hot Pink – and to her florist and my delight – she loved carnations and wanted her girls to carry hot pink carnation bouquets. The girls flowers really pop off their dresses, and were exactly what Alicia was looking for. It was perfect, and since she saved on their bouquets, she was able to splurge on her own bouquet of Calla Lilly’s!

The Look for Less is posted monthly.

About: Tricia Huddas & Co. specializes in destination weddings in historic Savannah Georgia and the Southeast.  Whether you are planning an intimate evening or a bold affair, Tricia Huddas & Co will bring your event together with style, elegance and grace.

You need only go to your local grocery store or garden center, or possibly take a walk around your neighborhood, to know that it is indeed Autumn.  Summer plants are out and big containers of Hardy Mums abound.  They are on the doorsteps of 95% of the houses on my street and I see a new color every day – from bright whites, yellows and pinks, to spicy oranges and reds.

They are eye-catching and, if you shop around, can be purchased on the cheap.  Potted plants are an amazing way to bring color and flowers into your wedding décor for a fraction of the price of cut flowers – and the abundant blooms on these Autumn treasures are the ultimate example.  Imagine them lining your aisle or the foot of the altar!  The right size could even be a full and beautiful centerpiece.

And don’t forget another benefit of potted plants – they are packaged to last!  Send them home with your guests, decorate your new nest or donate them to a local school, nursing home, or church.

Today’s The Look for Less was written by Ainsley Crowell  of Tricia Huddas & Co.

About: Tricia Huddas & Co. specializes in destination weddings in historic Savannah Georgia and the Southeast.  Whether you are planning an intimate evening or a bold affair, Tricia Huddas & Co will bring your event together with style, elegance and grace.

The Look for Less is posted on the first Monday of each month.