Let Them Eat Cake

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding . . . your source for no-cost or low-cost ideas to create a debt free life. And all written by a guy who wrote the books. And, he's also a cheap date. Write him if you have an idea that's worked for you!

There's a trend . . . slow but sure. People are realizing that they don't have to have a full-meal-deal of a reception to have a nice wedding. Many couples are now savings thousands of dollars (that's THOUSANDS folks) by forgoing the large, catered dinner for all guest and opting, instead, for the old-style cake and punch reception with entertainment and dancing.

So, if you want a throw-back wedding and a simple but elegant reception . . . let 'em eat cake. Besides, are people really going to stick around for all these dinners? After you've been to your third wedding in one month, the same old same old is just, well . . . old. A person can eat only so many plates of mashed potatoes!

Let 'em eat cake and save!

The Freebie

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding . . . a great source for low-budget or no-budget wedding ideas written by a guy who has written the books and has worked with hundreds of couples. Write him. Slice him. Dice him. And if you've got an idea that worked for your debt-free wedding, talk it up!

Okay, I'm going to go all the way this blog and offer a free book. Simple idea. The first one to send me an email at teoutcalt@aol.com gets a copy of either of my books: Before You Say "I Do" or Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget.

Send me your name, address, and your choice. No catch. Just a free book.

Only thing is . . . if I send it, you have to read it!!

Pottery Ideas

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding, your source for creative ideas that can help YOU create a debt-free life. And all written by a guy who wrote the books: Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget and Before You Say "I Do".

There are dozens of great pottery ideas for couples...for receptions, decor, gifts, and kitchen/home decor. Beautiful pottery, of course, make wonderful centerpieces. And if you use paper flowers, cloth, or paper streamers as accent color, you can create an endless array of variety.

Asking for pottery as a wedding gifts can be a nice touch, too. Couples can use pottery in a variety of settings.

And as gifts? Couples can always find low-cost pottery (yet elegant) at many shops.

Food Supply

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding . . . this little blog dedicated to helping brides save money and create a debt-free life. If you've got time but no money, this is the place to visit. Lots of ideas written by a guy who wrote the book Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget and Before You Say "I Do". So . . . do you say, I do to Debt-Free? Write me.

Many brides can do well saving money by doing some early-bird shopping. As you go through your wedding plans, you'll likely discover that people are going to want some simple snacks/drinks while you are planning your wedding . . . or perhaps you'll need food at a shower . . . or maybe even post-wedding. Regardless, plan ahead and see what kind of deals you can get on basic snacks and drinks.

You'll save $$$$$$$$

Wedding Doodles

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding . . . your guide to getting the most bang-for-your-buck when it comes to wedding planning. I have assisted hundreds of couples with their wedding plans, written for major bridal magazines over the years, and have also authored Before You Say "I Do" and Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget. Yes, you can plan a wedding on your budget, too. And I do mean...any budget! Lots of ideas here. Thanks for visiting . . . and don't forget to write a comment and tell a friend!

A fun conversation piece to include at each table of your reception is a doodle pad and pencils. Give your guests an opportunity to make doodle impressions of your wedding, caricatures, or anything that comes to mind. They can even write notes to the bride and groom.

You could also include a small box for the doodles, or just let your guests leave their doodle pads on the table.

Great fun and you'll get some laughs for years to come. And, low cost, too!

Soap

A low-cost but high-appreciation gift that brides can give is . . . soap. In particular, unique soaps, beautiful soaps, or specialty soaps. You can find them most anywhere, and there are dozens of online sites that cater to these particular bridal needs (so you can also buy in bulk).

Brides can also find soaps that will match their wedding colors, and a nice soap tray or gift basket can be used in a variety of ways.

Add some other low-cost items like a nice hand towel or a Sham-Wow (okay, forget the Sham-Wow) and you are in business.

No Cost Wedding . . . REALLY!

In a few weeks I'll be presiding at my first no cost wedding in many a moon. And I'm talking no cost. Nada! Nothing. No cost at all.

How is such a thing possible you ask? Simple. The bride is a member of the church...so there's no cost for the facility. She's wearing a dress from her closet. The groom is wearing a class-A military uniform. Wedding party will wear suits and dresses from their closets. No music. No frills.

Reception? A relative of the bride's is making a cake for 100 guests. Another is making a punch bowl. And yet another relative is bringing a sound system for CDs and dancing.

So . . . don't think you can have a NO COST wedding? Think again! It can be done!

Art Show Off

You may be able to really create one of those unique receptions if you have some friends who are artists, or if you have connections in the art world. Many artists, in fact, would love to be able to display their work in any forum or location where people are mingling or brought together . . . even at a wedding reception.

You could have original works of art on walls, on the tables, or in a hallway leading into the reception area. Add the color, the drama, and the uniqueness to the event . . . and you're sure to get some nice conversation going while people are waiting in lines or being served.

Chinese Food

Many couples are discovering the cost-savings of Chinese food for their rehearsal dinners and receptions. A growing number of Chinese restaurants also cater . . . and the savings can be quite profound.

Or, if a couple doesn't want to go completely Chinese, how about going with fun fortune cookies as an extra table item? Nice conversation pieces and the kids, especially, love the little cookies.

There are dozens of online sites that cater to the fortune cookie and you can order them by the bags and very little cost. Check it out.

Children's Books

I had a wonderful friend who, each year, gave me a children's book as a gift. Now, at the risk of sounding maudlin, receiving a children's book was pure magic. I have a large collection of kid's books, and I still read them from time to time, even though my kids are well past the read-to-me stage.

A children's book makes a great gift, even for adults...and many contain timeless truths, insights or lessons.

Need ideas?

How about:

Paddle to the Sea

Goodnight Moon

Curious George

Mother Goose rhymes

Peace Begins With You

Where the Wild Things Are

The Thirteeen Clocks

If You Give a Pig a Pancake

Speaking of Weddings

There are any number of ways couples can work together to plan a wedding, but it is vital that couples spend even more time talking about marriage. There are many great lectures out there that can strengthen relationships, classes that can be taken, workshops attended. Find them!

Recently I was able to teach a workshop for counselors and pastors who do premarital counseling. One couple actually showed up to listen. And they said they learned more than they had anticipated.

What could I do? I had to give them a copy of my book: Before You Say "I Do". It's the best title of its kind out there . . . really. And I'll give a copy to the first couple to write me a letter:

Todd Outcalt

575 W. Northfield Dr.

Brownsburg, IN 46112

Green Ideas

I've seen no less than three new books on green weddings. Now, I'm not sure exactly what a green wedding is . . . but here are a few ideas that might work for your wedding, if you are wanting to make a greener world.

* How about planting a tree in memory of a loved one who is not able to be a the wedding? You could also plant trees in honor of those in your wedding party, instead of giving gifts that will not be appreciated for very long.

* How about purchasing gift crds to the Nature Conservancy or another green organization?

* Don't forget flowers/seeds as a gift.

* Take a green honeymoon.

* Use recyclable products at your reception.

Just a few ideas . . . if you're in the mood for green.

Poetry Help

If you are looking for help with your poetry as you plan your wedding . . . here are some of the best resources. After all, not all men (or women) can write poetry . . . and most shouldn't try. So why not stick with the masters? Here are some of the best poetry books (classics).

The Collected Poems of e.e. cummings

Collected Poems, W.H. Auden

Shakespear's sonnets

The Best Poetry of the English Language, edited by Harold Bloom