Photograph by Kevin A. Roberts
In the age of Internet shopping, couples have more and more choices. "The biggest benefit to online shopping is that brides are more prepared than ever when they start to plan their wedding," says planner Renee Joshu of Weddings by Renee. "The downside is, you're not getting the personal, face-to-face service you get with local vendors. But it's great for helping you come up with the design and feel you want for your wedding." Moreover, while it's now possible to buy pretty much anything for your wedding online, some elements of your big day, like your dress, are still better suited to buying locally. SLM talked to Joshu and other experts to help you make a few of those local-versus-online decisions.
LOOK ONLINE
Invitations
There are thousands of websites with great artists (including a number of local ones who sell online) who will create truly custom invitations for you. Many sites offer discounts for buying save-the-dates, invitations, programs, menu cards, etc. together. If you’re concerned about paper quality and the feel of the invitation, almost all invitation sites will send a sample. For the DIY set, some invitation shops on Etsy send a custom-designed PDF that you can print yourself. And for those who want to make their own invitations, free, downloadable fonts and clip art online can help you design your dream stationery. Search for “free printable invitation templates” to find stylish starting points. Others to try: Shine Wedding Invitations (shineweddinginvitations.com), Wedding Paper Divas (weddingpaperdivas.com), and Download & Print (downloadandprint.com).
Favors
When you’re buying in bulk, online shopping is a good option. You can find deals on items ranging from candy to personalized gifts on party sites that aren’t necessarily geared toward weddings, then package them yourself. If you’re having a destination wedding, for instance, it’s easy to find favors related to your locale or to the season. Another option couples are choosing is making a donation to a favorite charity in lieu of favors. Most organizations accept donations online, and you can put out custom notes to explain the importance of your beneficiary. Places to start: Shop at Brides (shopatbrides.com), Oriental Trading (orientaltrading.com), and JustGive (justgive.org).
One-of-a-Kind Accessories
When you’re looking for accessories, check online first to get a sense of your options. Sites like Etsy have an amazing selection of veils, headbands, hair clips, and other accessories. See something close to what you want? Many shops on Etsy will work with you to customize accessories that fit your desired look and feel. You can also find more offbeat accents, like bouquets made out of vintage brooches, that will make your wedding memorable and serve as a keepsake. Where to begin: Luxe Deluxe (etsy.com/shop/luxedeluxe), The Red Magnolia (etsy.com/shop/theredmagnolia), and Hair Comes the Bride (haircomesthebride.com).
Gifts
It’s nice to give your bridesmaids, groomsmen, and family members something special to show appreciation for the effort they’re putting into your wedding day. Personalized gifts create something unique that your loved ones can use in the future. Whether you go with personalized drink coozies (not just in neoprene!), engraved jewelry, a journal, or even a monogrammed stainless-steel survival kit, there are tons of options online. Or for something even more personalized, a photo book can be a good gift option. Where we’d start: Personal Creations (personalcreations.com) and RedEnvelope (redenvelope.com).
LOOK LOCALLY
Flowers
On your wedding day, you want your flowers to look freshly picked and vibrant. Although some online retailers offer centerpiece options, there’s no way to tell whether the flowers will make it through the mail well or even be what you’re envisioning. For the best results, especially for bouquets, corsages, and centerpieces, go with a local florist. For those worried about budgets, take heart: There are ways to cut costs locally without gambling on flowers by mail. Talk to your florist to substitute locally grown, in-season blooms in place of more exotic flowers like orchids. For larger arrangements, consider using fillers or less expensive flowers in large quantities to make an impact. And DIY brides can check out local flower markets or even supermarkets to get good deals.
Dress
One of the most important elements of the wedding, the bride’s dress is really something to be bought in person. It’s often a major purchase, and for the money you’re spending, you want it to be just the way you’ve envisioned it. Even if you normally have a strong sense of what looks good on you, with wedding dresses, that all goes out the window—dress sizes and silhouettes vary among designers, so you should try on a selection to find the perfect fit. For a more casual wedding, you might be able to find something online to suit you, but gotcha return policies can make this iffy—it’s still best to shop around. Before you go, research photos online and in bridal magazines to find what inspires you the most. If your dress budget is tight, you can buy a simple silhouette and embellish it with a sash, or take it to a tailor, who can add lace or premade beading.
Bridesmaid Dresses
Since the tradition of bridesmaids with matching dresses was established, the bridesmaid dress has gotten a bad rap. For many maids, the thought of sporting their friends’ favorite-but-not-flattering color, or an expensive dress that fits the bride’s style but not theirs, isn’t the most exciting proposition, especially when they know they’re going to be in dozens of photos. Do your bridesmaids a favor and shop around for a dress that fits both the style of the wedding and the personal style of the bridesmaids. Alternately, an increasingly popular option is to let your maids choose the dresses they want, but all in the same hue. Also, don’t feel limited to choosing dresses specifically made for bridesmaids. Look at your favorite stores for simple silhouettes in the color you want for the wedding—this can make it easier, especially if your bridesmaids live in different cities.
Food
Even if you’re a professional (or professional-caliber) chef, you probably won’t want to spend the day before the wedding cooking for friends and family. Go online to get reviews and recommendations for local caterers, but don’t book until you meet with them in person and do a tasting. If food isn’t the most important piece of the puzzle for you, booking someone on the spot can be tempting, but you want to make sure the caterer understands the experience you want for your guests. Food and drink can be expensive, but caterers often will work with you to bring down the price by offering substitutions and creative menu ideas. If the food is important to you, shopping around is a must, but make sure to check with your reception venue first—many have an in-house caterer or contract with certain outside vendors only. Be sure to take that into consideration before booking your venue.
