Although the perfect wedding can challenge even the most generous budget, the lifetime of memories is worth it. Tired of spending your pre-wedding days and evenings in to save money for your special day? Take the beautiful crystal, china, and silver wedding gifts that keep arriving at your door and do something fabulous instead of storing them in the closet: Entertain -- in style -- at home.
The Breakfast Club
Who says you can't entertain before sundown? Your friends will be thrilled to start their day with a fun get-together at such an unexpected hour, and breakfast food is far more economical than dinner. Put some cheery music on the stereo, a bouquet of sunflowers on the coffee table, slip into jeans, and get ready to party.
If you're ambitious, a hot breakfast is always a hit. Belgian waffles and blueberry pancakes can be whipped up from mixes and kept hot in the oven, while crowd-pleasers like slow-baked French toast can be put together in advance and popped in the oven shortly before show time. Want the least fuss possible without making your guests feel like orphans? An assortment of bagels and cream cheese, pastries, and fresh fruit, alongside bowls of granola and yogurt are always popular (and can be put together in a snap).
Choose a table or counter top to devote to your buffet, and decorate it with a cheerful tablecloth, a vase of fresh flowers, and a stack of that new wedding china you thought you'd probably only use on formal occasions. Arrange your feast on large serving platters and boards, setting up accompanying schmears, spreads and sauces in pretty bowls or even gravy boats. And don't be shy about using any crystal juice or iced beverage glasses, china mugs or coffee cups, your sugar and creamer set, and linen napkins you've received - your gifts were meant to be used, not stored.
Tea Time
There are few parties more perfect than tea for using your finest china teacups, serving platters, and dessert plates while still remaining economical to throw. Those pretty new table linens and that gleaming silver are right at home at high tea, so invite your favorite ladies over for some girly fun.
If you've received a formal tea set, that's great; but if you haven't, simply pour from your nicest kettle. A variety of delicious teas should obviously be offered, but you can also give guests cold alternatives such as bottled and sparkling water or ginger ale in wine glasses. Use beautiful plates to serve delicate tea sandwiches that are easy to make. Egg salad or cucumber slices and cream cheese on crustless triangles of white bread are ideal and look adorably dainty. An array of tiny desserts appear impressive to your guests, but can all be baked by you. Tiny brownie bites, miniature cookies, and scones made from a mix become the height of fancy when served on sparkling crystal platters. Fill your best vases with flowers, put your kettles on to boil, and set out pretty bowls of lemon curd, butter and Devonshire cream for a gorgeous spread.
Cocktails anyone?
Dazzling your guests is easy when you serve them with flair, and what better place to dazzle than at a glittering cocktail party? The vibe is glamorous and Rat-Pack cool, while the cost is minimal since fare is limited to fingertip food. Chances are you may already have many of the ingredients you need, and the little things you don't have won't break you to buy.
On a table or counter, set up a fun and flashy area where guests can mix their own drinks. Stock your bar with a variety of liquors alongside an assortment of your sparkling new wedding crystal. Martini, highball, wine and double old-fashioned glasses are the stars of a cocktail party, so here's your chance to put them to use all at once. A cool cocktail shaker lets guests shake, not stir, and a beautiful ice bucket keeps all your favorite poisons cold. If your liquor cabinet is bare, start with basics like vodka, whiskey, gin, rum, and vermouth, and choose mixers like fruit juices, sweet and sour mix, sodas, waters and tonics. Serve fruit juices and nectars in chilled glass pitchers, and set garnishes like olives, lemon and lime wedges, maraschino cherries and cocktail onions in small serving trays and bowls.
When the cocktails are flowing, it's important to give your guests a selection of substantial snacks to nibble on. If you're a novice in the kitchen, stick to items you can heat up or set out with minimal hassle. Think frozen mini-quiches from the supermarket, crudit?s (sliced raw vegetables), and good old cheese and crackers. Arrange your snacks on big, beautiful trays and platters and set out some china accent plates nearby so guests can sample and socialize at the same time.
Don't let your upcoming wedding keep you from socializing - with a little imagination, you can put the gifts you've already received to work and turn your home in to party central without spending a fortune.