(Part 2) Top products from r/Weddingsunder10k

I made a 3 tiered cake for my parent's 25th wedding anniversary about 5-10 years ago. To be honest, the actual baking is quite easy, especially if you have experience baking cookies during the holidays. What I personally struggled with was the assembly, which I highly recommend you get someone to help you with because it definitely helps to have an extra set of hands for that part, and icing, but this is something you could practice before hand! I would definitely recommend making the cake at least once but preferably twice before your wedding to get a feel for it.

I used a recipe from the Gourmet Magazine cookbook. I'm pretty sure this is the recipe, but I don't have the book any more to confirm. The cookbook had TONS of picture illustrations to help. Many cakes can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days with no effect on texture, but I would definitely recommend holding off on the actual icing until the day of or at earliest the night before.

My sister is vegan, and we've made lots of great things from a book called "Mastering the Art of Vegan Cooking." I've linked to Amazon but check your local library first - or maybe one of your vegan relatives already owns it so you can borrow it =) We've made the Tuesday Night Dinner, multiple lasagnas, and stuffed shells from here to take to family gatherings so my sister can eat. What we usually do is assemble beforehand, bake it halfway, fridge it if needed, then finish baking at our destination. If this isn't possible for you, baking all the way and then reheating is no issue.

No one in our family needs to be gluten free, so I'm unsure how good anything in here would be for a gluten free diet. But we all love a lot of recipes in here, and not just the main courses either. The binding of our copy broke completely after only a few months of it being gifted to my sister XD

Hope that helps!

Wedding DJ here. Many of my potential clients consider going without a DJ for their wedding because of the cost. These are my recommendations to them:

• Spotify is a great tool. Consider getting the algoriddim djay app for iPhone or iPad. This lets you play music downloaded to your phone and from Spotify. You can set it to Automix and get that seamless transition from one song to the next you expect from DJs. Spotify Premium is required, and you won't have ads. WiFi is required when using Spotify so put the "must have" songs on your device just in case.
  
• Get a quality speaker. Sam's Club and Amazon have several that are less than $200. The best part is you get to keep it when you are finished! Connect directly with a cord - do not use bluetooth. Get a speaker stand and raise it 5-6ft off the ground. This helps propagate the sound and you'll get excellent performance from even one speaker.
  
• Get a wired mic for announcements and toasts. Your speaker should have a 1/4" mic input. You can get a Shure SM58 for $40 on Amazon that sounds amazing and is what I use in my booth. You'll need a female XLR to male 1/4" cable. If you have any doubts visit a Guitar Center and they will hook you up.
  
  I use my iPad and the algoriddim djay app with Spotify when I get an obscure request that I don't have in my main library. I also use the app in my smaller ceremony music setup. The app is solid and will not let you down!
  
  Let me know if you (or anyone else) has any questions on how to set these up. I also have a music ideas list if you need some inspiration during the music planning process.

So I would only do two rows of seating. 7and 8 staggered so everyone gets a view. And you can enter ceremony from sides. Chairs don’t need to be touching. Spread it out a little. Guaranteed view without having to go big half circle.

Food: put food table near ceremony space. Ceremony chairs double as seating for eating if wanted. You could do crescent rolls with meat or veggies and cheese, maybe pesto to add flavor and moisture. Easy to make ahead. Also mini quiche are easily customizable or even available frozen, just cook ahead. Veggies and fruit on a stick/kebab for sides. None of these things need more than a napkin. They also aren’t all that temperature dependent, so you can have them sitting out before. Use something like this to keep them safe. Easy to decorate if want to.
M.V. Trading Giant Outdoor Tabletop Food Cover, 24" (W) x 46" (L), Retangle Shape https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00025BBSI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_veUrDb7KVKZVW

Tea and lemonade make nice drinks to coordinate with.

Little extra food and drink does inspire more lingering.

Lol. My research and dress consultant said you don’t won’t want to wear a strapless bra (those things suck and are uncomfortable). A corset bra helps smooth things out and gives the support you need without the tightness n discomfort of a strapless. This is the one I tried on at DB, then bought off amazon. If you want to look at getting your own. Good luck with all the million tiny surprise details!

Sorry, just seeing this! Here's the one I bought. Just ordered two more packages (so 3 total). I think you're totally right about the hot water shrinking it. That didn't occur to me in the moment. I think I'll try slightly cooler water this next time and see if that still gives me the color I want.

I thought the quality from amazon was great! That seems to be best price and you can't go wrong with 2 day shipping. If you find something cheaper, let me know?

I'm a huge fan of an old school spreadsheet of ideal and actual costs. My fiance was not, so i got this book (https://www.amazon.com/Budget-Savvy-Wedding-Planner-Organizer-Checklists/dp/1623159857) and had him fill out the workheets and we were able to get on the same page with our vision and budget for our engagement, wedding, and honeymoon.

So far we're in budget. If time is on your side, you can wait for items go on sale.

Some options for what to wear under the backless is actually the hard part: Option A [Option B] Option C hope this helps!

It's a beautiful dress will look even better on the big day!

• [Amazon] Set of 10 Kraft boxes (very good quality) 5x5x3.5 inches - $8
  
• [Amazon] Kraft Crinkle Paper Filler - $6
  
• Used tissue paper I already had
  
• [Anthropologie] Mini Latte Bowls, Set of 6 - $18 (ON SALE RIGHT FOR $14.40 ENDS TONIGHT 4/7)
  
• [Costco - in stores] Crabtree & Evelyn Hand Lotion, set of 6 - $5
  
• [Nordstrom Rack - in stores] LORAC Mod of Goddess Lip Gloss Set Vol. II, set of 6 - $13
  
• [Nordstrom Rack - in stores] Hair tie, set of 7 - $5
  
• [Marshalls - in stores] Washi Tape, 8 rolls - $4
  
• [Target] Blank cards, set of 10 - $4
  
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  The hair tie holder was super easy to make! I just used one of the kraft boxes I had leftover and cut out 6 pieces. Then used the washi tape and stickers I had to decorate, wrote the name (highly recommend using a pencil/erasable pen first if you have no calligraphy skills/terrible hand writing like me LOL), and stuck the hair tie on!
  
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  I also purchased a label maker ($10) but didn't include it in the final price because I was planning on buying one anyways!

Another redditor recommended this book to me, and the author has a website. It's seriously a lifesaver. Have a cake and punch reception. Do whatever is right for you and your family. Debt is a tough way to start off a marriage. The book is a lifesaver, it has ideas and provides peace of mind.

Look at getting a clear ring sizer like these :
Ring Snuggies Ring Sizer or Assorted Sizes Adjuster Set of Six Per Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014DGXU8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_iMS4CbP8N51BQ

She could use it for the day of on the bottom and only people that see the bottom of her hand would ever know. It’s a cheap alternative and would not damage the ring. If not build up some hot glue on the bottom to make something more fitted. The glue will peel off the ring as well and you can mold / cut it as needed.

I fund this book and site to be a great resource

https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Wedding-Planner-Step-Step/dp/0738218421/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=A+Practical+wedding&qid=1569180581&s=gateway&sr=8-2

I got these in the silver from Amazon. No regrets. Like, they're definitely plastic plates, but they're sturdy and look nice.

You could try this first, as it's less likely to have any negative effects on the fabric.
I used activated charcoal shoe deodorizers and they took the damp dog smell out of my backpack after sealing it all up in a bag with a few for a couple of weeks.
Loose charcoal is obviously risky because it could stain the dress, but something encased in plastic like this or this may help.
Whatever you do, take precautions to keep the charcoal from coming into direct contact with your dress though.

I got these from Amazon to stick the magnet to the card. Similar to the tack that’s used for the back of credit cards.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00161UBTW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Not op, but I was able to find this by searching for "embroidered wedding boots" on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YMSK2LK/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_L5i4DbSBWBB7M

They make spray pant for flowers. I'm not sure how affordable it would be but maybe try that!

If I were you I’d find a swatch no one can see and experiment with adding a bit of this to the dress to make it shimmer.

Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist 2-Ounce, Pearl https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00161U9T4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_j3smDbBG3SJEC

So, just a simple white paper plate with no ruffles?

You can subscribe to a service called Karafun for a one time/event use and it has most of the songs you want for karaoke, and anything else you can probably find on youtube. You'll need a laptop, if you want a monitor a small tv, a speaker, and a microphone or two. The Karaoke machines kind of suck, IMO.

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If you have DJ you can see if they can rent you microphones. If you don't, you can get a decent Berhinger Voice mic for like $30 on amazon

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18 in small tv: https://www.amazon.com/Sceptre-Clear-Brushed-Black-E185BV-SSC/dp/B07Q3T22CX/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=small+TV&qid=1562168733&s=gateway&sr=8-3

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set of 3 mics (but could do fewer/one) https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-Ultravoice-XM1800S-Instrument-Microphones/dp/B000NJ2TIE/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=behringer+voice+microphone&qid=1562168766&s=gateway&sr=8-3

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Can't vouch for this mic, but it's cheap: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ISNU3X4/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B01ISNU3X4&pd_rd_w=WJtAp&pf_rd_p=8a8f3917-7900-4ce8-ad90-adf0d53c0985&pd_rd_wg=EVrCf&pf_rd_r=CEMHB0P1ZVKVVSCMGGDC&pd_rd_r=b2127a2e-9da9-11e9-b37e-594169a5e18b

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You don't necessarily need mic stands if you have long microphone cables.

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Decent PA System: https://www.amazon.com/Powerwerks-PW50-PA-System/dp/B004VQDAQK/ref=sr_1_11?crid=OH9SH5HX7LY4&keywords=portable+pa+system&qid=1562168848&s=musical-instruments&sprefix=portable+pa%2Cmi%2C149&sr=1-11