You don’t usually hear the words wedding and warehouse in the same breath, but if you’re a savvy bride-to-be with a Costco membership you’ll know that they can be a match made in heaven.
One stroll through the aisles at Costco and you’ll see that you can create a low cost wedding reception with all the money you will save by buying at Costco.
The reception will carry the biggest price tag of your wedding. The cost of food, décor, entertainment and the venue can add up fast, but Costco can help to keep your expenses from getting out of hand. Inexpensive receptions can help couples save a bundle.
Whether you are having a simple cocktail reception, or a formal dinner, you’ll find an assortment of appetizers that can help you create a low cost wedding reception.
Everything from gourmet cheeses, fruit trays, quiches and veggie platters to cold meats and frozen canapés can be found at prices well below most caterers.
Creating your own dessert table is another way brides can create inexpensive receptions. Costco has a wonderful variety of freshly baked cakes and cheesecakes, both fresh and frozen.
Once you’ve got the food figured out, you’ll want to think about the flowers to decorate your reception. According to the Bridal Association of America, the average cost for wedding day flowers is just under $2,000.
You can save hundreds of dollars on flowers by purchasing them at Costco. There you will find a lovely selection of garden bouquets as well as roses. Buying flowers at Costco is one of the best ways brides can create inexpensive receptions.
You can decorate your tables with votive candles found at Costco. If you are having an outdoor reception, you can add some romance to your décor with Roman candle holders or outdoor candle lanterns.
Balloons are an inexpensive way to create a festive atmosphere. You can purchase a Balloon Time helium tank at Costco, which fills 50 balloons for under $30.
Finally, you can thank your guests by giving them something delicious to take home. Costco has a variety of chocolates, including Duc D’o chocolate truffles and Kirkland Signature Chocolates of the World, which can be wrapped and given as favours. You can also wrap spring bulbs from Costco to give your guests a nice reminder of your wedding.
To give yourself a wonderful reminder of your big day, the Costco Photo Centre has a variety of album styles and templates that make it easy to create a keepsake wedding photo book that includes both wedding day photos and text.
If you’re simply looking for a place to get your photos developed, you can’t beat Costco prices; 4″ x 6″ prints are only 13 cents each and 11″ x 16″ enlargements are just $2.49.
And last but not least, don’t forget the champagne flutes for you and your husband. When your special day is over, you will want to raise a glass to each other for creating a magical low cost wedding reception without going into debt.
Photo: Freesia $124.99 for 100 stems at Costco.com
