Wedding Day Barbie

Did you regret doing a “cheap” wedding?

I think it’s cute when couples do “simple” weddings (simple dress, decorations, etc., maybe mix up tradition a bit) and would love to do that for a variety of reasons. However, I’m a girl and also want the “barbie dream” I’ve always dreamed of. Plus I didn’t have a graduation/prom so I’ve never really got to go all out for a day.

I have two main points:

1. Cheap and simple are not necessarily the end-all-be-all of this situation. If you budget carefully, you can spend very little and end up with something extravagant. Shop around. Quite frankly, no matter how much a store talks about how they are unique, they’re different than all the other stores, etc., there is probably another store out there that has the same item, or a similar (and possibly even better item), and there’s a chance that other store has it for a lower price.

Try going “window shopping” in a sense. Get a notebook, and separate it into different sections for different items, whether it’s generic or specific. Choose a day to go (alone or with friends) to a variety of stores but don’t take much money with you. What I recommend is that you take one check: In the event that you find something incredibly cheap that won’t last, something genuinely unique or custom that you can’t live without, etc., you’ll have one check to spend on it.

For everything else, write down the item, brand, store you found it at, and the price. If you have a digital camera (or even a cell phone camera) you may even take pictures of special items; it helps if you can’t remember which item name goes to which item you remember when you’re at home later.

Then, do a little browsing online. Most chain stores have websites, and even if they don’t, don’t be afraid of sites like Amazon — part of the beauty in the fact that weddings are often planned pretty far in advance is that you have enough time to order online if you need to.

2. Sometimes, the simplest trick to a glamorous but inexpensive wedding is carefully deciding where you want to spend your money. People often try to find glamorous items cheap, and you can often find at least one inexpensive yet glamorous item in every category, from the runners to the centerpieces…but when you do that, you end up with a lot of very different items that don’t come together well. Suddenly, what was once “glamorous” just feels, for lack of better term, tacky.

First, pick a theme. Whether it’s a certain color, a certain quality (such as metallic, sparkly, etc.) or a more defined theme like a flower, come up with something that’s not too hard to find examples of, and decide what details you want to represent that quality.

I suggest that the big things be simple. Don’t go all out on expensive tablecloths, expensive chairs (even when you rent, there’s a big difference in price…and trust me, no one is looking at the chair they’re sitting in while they’re sitting in it) or expensive plates and silverware. Instead, look at little items, like the centerpieces, the lighting, etc.

One thing to be careful with is distinguishing between big products and big services, however. Big services like music or photography are a lot more important than the chairs or the tablecloths, and the more you cut back, the more you’re risking.

Whether you go glamorous, simple, or a little bit of both, make what you can yourself. You can find a ton of tutorials all over the web for custom invitations that cost a lot less and look just as good. Some things are really very simple: Get a ton of flower petals, nice candle holders and some simple candles, and you’ve got a centerpiece. You can dress it up as much or as little as you like — for instance, adding a simple silver tray underneath the candle holders gives it a little shine and a good mirror effect, which is beautiful with candles, and it isn’t necessarily expensive. There’s a craft store here, Hobby Lobby, that sells fake silver trays for a buck each or something like that. They look a bit like this:

http://www.abbeyrentssf.com/images/trays-stands/rnd-silver-tray-lg.jpg

That with black candlesticks, dark red candles and rose petals would be glamorous without costing a fortune. You could go a completely different way with a lighter candlestick, like sky blue, sage green, lilac…you get the idea.

Come up with ideas like that. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Your crystal doesn’t have to be real crystal, and as long as it’s not studded with rhinestones or glitter paint, no one will notice the difference.

But either way, don’t be afraid to mix simple and glamorous, and don’t be afraid of a low budget. You WILL have to cut some corners, but if you’re careful about the areas you choose to make those cuts, you’ll never miss them on the big day!

One more thing — your wedding is a big day, but don’t forget that your wedding doesn’t end that day. When you’re shopping for items, look for things you could use in your home. I often recommend that couples get a small, ornate wedding cake for the wedding party, and sheet cakes for guests — easier to cut and serve, too! If you go that route, for instance, pick a cake tray/stand that you could use during holidays or other occasions.

And one more “one more thing I nearly forgot — especially when you’re looking for something glamorous, borrowing isn’t a bad idea. For example, if you have a simple dress, you might want to dress it up with jewelry. If a good friend or relative has something you’d like to wear, it never hurts to ask!

Barbie’s Wedding day

Barbie My Favorite Couple Wedding Day Ken Doll Repro $4.99

1994 Wedding Party Barbie Doll Wedding Day Veil! NEW! $5.99

1996 WEDDING DAY BLONDE BARBIE DOLL $29.99

Barbie Wedding Chapel & Cake Set Barbies Wedding Day!! Mattel $9.50

Wedding Day Barbie – Bridal Barbie – New with Tissue wrap still in place $15.00

1996 WEDDING DAY BARBIE-BLOND-IN GREAT BOX $26.00

Mattel 17119 * Wedding Day Barbie NRFB Plastic $33.99

Mattel 17120 * Wedding Day Barbie NRFB Plastic $53.99

BARBIE WEDDING DAY BRIDE DOLL W/ GROOM KEN *NEW* $38.50

1961 Wedding Day Barbie Repro $35.00

Barbie Doll Wedding Day Barbie Collector Edition $24.99

ELVIS & PRISCILLA BARBIE DOLLS Wedding Day Set Presley Pink Label Collectors NEW $74.95

Barbie and Ken Wedding Day Giftset “My Favorite Couple” 50th Anniversary $72.00

BARBIE WEDDING DAY – REPRODUCTION $21.99

WEDDING DAY 1960 REPRO. BLONDE BARBIE (#1 PONYTAIL) – NRFB 17119 $19.99

COLLECTER EDITION WEDDING DAY BARBIE $20.00

Mattel Barbie and Ken Wedding Day Bride and Groom dolls $9.99

Wedding Day Barbie Ornament-Hallmark-Dated 1997 $9.99

1996 Wedding Day Barbie 1961 Fashion And Doll Reproduction #17120 Redhead NIB! $19.99

Barbie and Ken Dolls Wedding Day + Wedding Cake and Invitation, Flowers $14.99

Vintage Barbie Wedding Day Set Veil $11.99

Vintage 1960’s Barbie Wedding Day Set or Barbie’s Dream $29.99

NIB Collectors Edition Wedding Day Barbie $30.00

Wedding Day Alan Doll in box White tuxedo Groom of Barbie’s friend Midge $34.99

Barbie-Wedding Day $18.00

MIDGE WEDDING DAY FASHIONS 1990 BARBIE $25.99

BARBIE WEDDING DAY BRIDE DOLL W/ GROOM KEN *Nu* $39.50

2012 BARBIE PRINCE WILLIAM & CATHERINE KATE ROYAL WEDDING MOTHERS DAY GIFTSET $129.99

Brand NEW Twilight Breaking Dawn Barbie Wedding Day Bella and Edward BEAUTIFUL! $63.00

Barbie Doll Wedding Day SPARKLE Bride in Wedding Gown Child Diamond Ring NIB $39.99

Enesco Wedding Day Barbie Figurine from 1994 $6.99

WEDDING DAY BARBIE DOLL MATTEL $25.00

Wedding Day Barbie – Collectors Edition $40.00

Nostalgic Barbie Wedding Day 1960 Reproduction REDHEAD Collector Ed Doll NRFB $35.99

MATTEL BARBIE DOLL DORIS DAY PILLOW TALK EVENING GOWN WEDDING DRESS ENSEMBLE LOT $15.50

Barbie Wedding Day porcelain Musical figurine $125.00

BARBIE – GOLDEN HAIR – WEDDING DAY BARBIE – COLLECTOR’S EDITION DOLL $29.99

BARBIE – WEDDING DAY BARBIE – COLLECTOR’S EDITION DOLL $29.99

BARBIE & KEN WEDDING DAY ANNIVERSARY GIFTSET 1959 Repro NRFB $78.00

2012 BARBIE PRINCE WILLIAM & CATHERINE KATE ROYAL WEDDING MOTHERS DAY GIFTSET $129.99

Barbie Wedding Day Sparkle Styling Head Bride Ring Hair Accessories Tiara NEW $26.00

Marlena Evans Wedding Barbie Style Doll from TV Days of our Lives NRFB by Mattel $55.00

Birthday Barbie, Wedding Day Barbie, & Elvis Teen Idol $100.00

Nostalgic LE Barbie Wedding Day by Applause – NIB $89.99

Wedding Day Redhead Reproduction Barbie NIB* 1996 #17120 $12.99

1996 WEDDING DAY BARBIE $9.99

1996 Red Head Wedding Day Barbie 1961 Fashion Reproduction Collector Edition NEW $29.97

BARBIE Wedding Day Collector Edition and Olympic Gymnast Fashion Doll IN BOX $4.81

1961 Wedding Day Reproduction Barbie $11.99

Barbie Wedding Day Dress NEW GORGEOUS white & silver Vintage Repro $7.99

Mattel: 1990 Wedding Day Barbie … Lovely Bridesmaid! Brand New! $40.00

Barbie Bridal Wedding collection 1996 Wedding Day Barbie nostalgic/reproduction $9.99

KEN AND BARBIE WEDDING DAY 1959 *NIB* MINT CONDITION $125.00

Barbie Midge Wedding Day Clothing $2.99

NRFB Vintage 1990 Midge – Barbie Wedding Day $9.99

1961 WEDDING DAY BARBIE REPRODUCTION DOLL white dress veil gown pearls shoes toy $24.97

2012 BARBIE PRINCE WILLIAM & CATHERINE KATE ROYAL WEDDING MOTHERS DAY GIFTSET $148.69

Barbie MIDGE Wedding Days Frilly Skirt Shoes Shirt Set $19.95

Barbie MIDGE Wedding Days Pants Bodysuit Shoes Hat Set $19.95

Barbie MIDGE Wedding Days Shorts Shoes Cropped Top Set $19.95

NEW Mattel VINTAGE 1990 WEDDING DAY *MIDGE* BARBIE DOLL NO. 9606 ~ NRFB $39.99

Barbie WHITE STAND from Wedding Day – NEW – EXC for Ponytails $0.99

BARBIE BRIDE & WEDDING DAY SPARKLE KEN/2 DOLLS Mint in Boxes/Ready to Ship $40.00

BARBIE Wedding Day Nostalgic Porcelain by Applause 1992 $120.00

Barbie Wedding Day Set or Bride’s Dream Veil $20.00

Wedding Day Bride BARBIE Fashion Doll 9-Pg History & Collector Article &Pictures $5.00

#952 WEDDING DAY Barbie FASHION vintage repro ** CRISPY MINT !!! ** $15.95

Barbie – Wedding Day Barbie with Blond Hair $24.00

Barbie by Mattel – Wedding Day Barbie $39.99

NIB Wedding Day Barbie! $9.00

2008 “I DO” WEDDING DAY KEN Barbie GROOM DOLL(Black & Silver Tuxedo)_M2780_NRFB $34.99

Barbie Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1 Edward & Bella Wedding Day Collector Dolls $64.99

Wedding Day 1996 Barbie Doll MINT NRFB 1960 REPRODUCTION $59.99

Wedding Day Barbie-Reproduction-1996-Blonde $22.00

BARBIE Wedding Day 1961 FASHION & DOLL REPRODUCTION PONYTAIL Blonde Mattel nrfb $23.95

1997 Mattel Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments Barbie and Ken Wedding Day $8.00

Vintage Barbie Wedding Day Set #972 Original 1959 Iconic, Not a Repro! $57.95

1997 Mattel Barbie Wedding Day for Hallmark 4 1/4″ $13.50

HALLMARK BARBIE AND KEN WEDDING DAY HANGING ORNAMENT FREE DOMESTIC SHIPPING $24.99

1990 Wedding Day Barbie (Bridesmaid for Midge) ★NRFB★ NIB (Z10) $19.95

1961 Repro Wedding Day Barbie – Collector Edition – MIB, NRFB 1996 – box damage $28.49

2009 Wedding Day Barbie Doll and Ken Doll Giftset MIB!! $150.00

VINTAGE 1990 WEDDING DAY BARBIE – BRIDESMAID FOR HER BEST FRIEND MIDGE . $16.00

1960 Collector Edition Wedding Day Barbie 1996 MIB NOS $24.95

2012 BARBIE PRINCE WILLIAM & CATHERINE KATE ROYAL WEDDING MOTHERS DAY GIFTSET $129.99

1990 WEDDING DAY BARBIE as Bridesmaid for Midge – NRFB $29.99

1997 WEDDING DAY BARBIE – Collector’s Series – Hallmark Keepsake $21.89

Wedding Day Barbie 1969 Fashion and Doll Reproduction Blonde $26.92

Barbie – 1996 Wedding Day – Redhead – NRFB $24.99

Barbie Collector 50th Anniversary Dolls – Wedding Day Barbie and Ken Giftset $262.62

1996 Wedding Day Barbie Collector Edition #17119 Mattel NRFB MIB (63) $24.95

Wedding Day Bride Barbie & Groom Ken Doll Gift Set $124.99

Lot of 2 Dolls: Wedding Day Barbie and Ken (2007) $23.99

1996 Wedding Day Barbie (Repo) #17120 Red Hair~ Perfect $19.99

VINTAGE 1990 MIDGE WEDDING DAY BARBIE DOLL FASHIONS OUTFIT NO. 9632 NEW NRFP $11.99

1960′S VINTAGE ORIGINAL BARBIE #972 WEDDING DAY SET $59.99

Vintage Barbie Wedding Day Set #972 VGC+ VEIL Cake Pearls Flowers Shoes+ $39.99

1996 BARBIE WEDDING DAY 1960 REPRODUCTION PRICE REDUCED $15.00

Barbie’s vintage “Wedding Day” dress $7.99

1996 Wedding Day Barbie- NIP $30.00

One Wedding And A Funeral $1.99 …

One Wedding And A Funeral [HD] $2.99 …

Barbie Princess Bride (Jewel Case) $9.99 …

Barbie Beauty Boutique $19.99 Barbie Beauty Boutique gives girls the chance to transform Barbie and her friends Christie and Teresa into beauty queens!…

Barbie As Princess Bride $19.99 Let your child escape into a fairy-tale world with the Barbie as Princess Bride CD-ROM, and help Princess Bride Barbie prepare for her magical wedding day. Prince Ken has had to undertake a long journey, and while he is away Princess Barbie dreams of her wedding day and waits for the prince’s return. Barbie is helped by Butterfly Fairy in her preparations for the wedding. Invite the guests, make a…

Marriage, a History: From Obedience to Intimacy, or How Love Conquered Marriage $17.88 From obedience to intimacy or how love conquered marriage….

Julie’s Gift: Memories of London $12.28 Kevin and Julie travel to London. Kevin loathes sightseeing. Julie is the quintessential tourist. Kevin ends up enjoying the trip but doesn’t tell Julie. He secretly writes a book about his fond memories to surprise her and express his love….

Barbie Collector Twilight Saga Edward Doll $9.73 Part of the Pink Labels Collection, Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight tells the tale of teenage romance between mortal Bella Swan, and the intriguing and dazzlingly beautiful vampire, Edward Cullen. The #1 New York Times Best seller and hugely popular movie has left its mark! …

Barbie Collector The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Bella Doll $25.99 Beautiful Barbie doll additions to The Twilight Saga of Bella and Edward! Age 6+…

Barbie Collector The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Edward Doll $24.95 Mattel Barbie Collector Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1 Edward Wedding Day Doll – Mattel T7652….