“Considering the state of the economy,” says New York gal Alli Hobbs, “issue number one on most brides’ minds is saving money while maintaining beauty and not sacrificing too much.” Counting herself in that camp, she and her fiancé opted for a small, smart wedding that stretched their dollars. They chose a morning ceremony and brunch reception (less pricey than dinner) with Bloody Marys and mimosas (less expensive than an open bar). And since Alli had a clear wedding day vision, she just needed a top-notch event coordinator to polish it off and pull it together. W.E.D.’s Ellen Robinson typically tackles six-figure affairs but compromised since the well-thought out (and early) event didn’t call for much manpower. The result? A stunner of a fall fête.
Alli and Matt booked the Confederate Home, where they hosted a garden ceremony and sit-down brunch on the same property for one rate.
The Bride: Alli got a past-season Vera Wang gown at a sample sale, which costs less than a current release.
The Bridal Party: The couple opted for only a matron of honor and best man, who were able to select (with guidance) their own attire.
The Ushers: Male ushers wore their own suits and the couple gifted them ties, which brought the color scheme together.
Décor: Elegant but simple ribbon streamers in purple and green gave a lot of bang for the couple’s buck.
Stationery: A designer pal made the invites, and Alli created programs herself with a color printer, kraft paper, and ribbon.
The Photographer: Setting a strict shooting time limit and opting for an online album (rather than an actual one) to trim photo costs.
