Want to have a chic wedding on a budget?

Have a Spanish themed wedding! Serve tapas, those small plates of different fruits, cheeses, meats, soups, and veggies cooked in different ways. Order a ton so your guests are well fed and choose a variety like 10-15 different types in both hot and cold styles. It's a great way to serve something fancy and fresh while staying within the budget. Plus, it helps you save on all the dishes and larger tables that you might need to rent to host a formal dinner party. 

Save some money on alcohol and offer beer, wine and a signature drink of Sangria instead of a full bar. Sangria tastes delicious and you can make it yourself! Mix it all the day before and store it in big glass pitchers in the fridge. It'll taste better if you mix it in advance anyway, so all those flavors can mingle. Have an appointed friend or the bartender transfer it to beautiful large glass pitchers and put them on either corner of the bar for display. Not only is it inexpensive and refreshing but it makes a beautiful display as well.  

Here's a great sangria recipe from a pro at Allrecipes.com:
Ingredients

• 1 orange
• 1 lemon
• 1 lime
• 1 medium all purpose apples, pared, cored and sliced
• 1 cup pitted cherries
• 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
• 3/4 cup brandy
• 1 (750 milliliter) bottle dry red wine
• 1 (12 ounce) can lemon-lime soda to taste
• 1 cup orange juice to taste

Directions

1. Slice the orange, lemon, and lime into thin rounds. Place the citrus in a pitcher with the apples, cherries, and pineapple. Pour in the brandy and refrigerate for 2 hours of more. Chill the bottle of red wine, lemon-lime soda, and orange juice at the same time.
2. Gently crush the fruits with a spoon, then stir in the red wine, lemon-lime soda, and orange juice. Add additional brandy or orange juice to taste.

Serve it in a jar like this (you can find them at Crate and Barrel, Target and similar stores)

Since you're saving on food and alcohol, you might be able to swing some more expensive details like...

• Lot's of lace on your dress and/or veil.

                                                       Available at Nordstrom.com

• Have your bridesmaids rock a colored lace dresses or a chic black sheath. Perhaps one these little black dresses:

                          Dresses available at Nordstrom.com

• Decorate with bright colors like red and pink to showcase that famous Spanish passion.

                 Photos from Projectwedding.com

• Instead of the traditional jewelry gift for your bridesmaids, consider some hot red shoes instead. I've always loved the idea of giving fun shoes as a gift!

                                         Photo from Projectwedding.com

• Maybe have some sort of small entertainment like a flamenco dancer, guitar player or fireworks if your venu permits.

• I think it would be fantastic to ride off in a carriage pulled by a dark black pair of andalucian horses. Like this one:

• Take a honeymoon to Spain!

If this theme interests you, take a look at Aaron and Barbara's Spanish style wedding showcased on utterlyengaged.com.