Cake! magazine by Australian Cake Decorating Network November 2014 | Page 122

How to organise your own dream wedding, without breaking the bank. The top 10 tips from
Piccolo & Poppi's head stylist, Ashleigh
When it comes to a DIY wedding, it's not always about working to a budget {aka penny pinching}. Let's face it, the money-saving
tips that come along for the ride
are an added bonus, but today's brides enjoy adding personal touches to their big day, by crafting it up with their bridesmaids
and handy fiances.
1. Floral fantasy! Skip the florist, and instead, head straight to your local flower market for fresh blooms in every colour. Grab your
bridal party, and make a morning of it, by
choosing your all-time favourite flowers, and bunching them together to make amazing bouquets. Twine from your local hardware store makes for perfect wraps, and old jam jars
and tomato tins work well for vases.
2. Ace the Cakes. With the demand for naked cakes, it seems brides can DIY their wedding cake, without the stress of the fondant
being too runny, or the cream and jam filling
slipping out the sides. Naked cakes are a sure-fire way to create gorgeous {and tasty} sweets, without worrying about the neat
factor of a traditional wedding cake. Slap on some
icing, dress it with fresh flowers, and voila, you have a masterpiece worth taking a selfie with!
3. Sew it up! Looking for a wedding dress, but stuck on a tight budget? Purchase a second-hand dress, but make it your own, by
adding touches of lace, beads or a gorgeous
veil. You can save hundreds of dollars by shopping at stores such as the Savvy Bride in Sydney, or Love Me Twice in Melbourne.
4. Nail it! Looking to have signage at your wedding day, or better yet, get your fiance involved? Together, whip up some wooden
signs, and have them scattered around your
wedding venue with words such as 'ceremony this way', and 'parking'. Your fiance will love being involved, and he'll come in
handy for things like nails and a hammer.
5. Dress the table. Want cost effective and gorgeous table runners? Then look to nature. Pick fresh leaves and foliage from your
backyard, and that of your neighbours and