Wedding Spending

I'm glad someone else can vouch for last summer's Globe and Mail article, "I do, but Shhh: Bargain hunting brides keep mum to cut their costs" because I can't seem to find it online. Perhaps someday I'll actually subscribe to the G&M but as long as I can get most of my news for free online, I'll stick with that.

Ahh, yes, money. That miserable thing that must be spent in order to put on a traditional wedding party. The G&M article was following the trend among some couples, who, dealing with the economic crisis and feeling that many party vendors charged more for weddings than other celebrations, would actually hide the "w" word from potential companies. Sure, this is difficult for some vendors: the caterer and location manager among them, but there are a lot of other things that get done in advance of the ceremony with whom you could potentially be organizing any other sort of party: florist, printer, stationer, makeup artist, etc. One bride even admitted to telling her hairdresser on the morning of her wedding that she just needed an updo for a family gathering.

I've had this interesting piece of advice in the back of my mind during most of the wedding planning, but since much of our stuff is DIY or local vendors (and friends!) this haven't really been an issue. Until just the other when I decided, rather last minute, to deal with one more thing on the never ending "Wedding Planning To Do" list: buy a strapless bra. (Dad, sorry, it's probably best if you stop reading now). I happened to be studying downtown in the public library, which is also part of the downtown mall (and the market, and the cinemas. Sometimes it's a wonder I get any studying done at all!) As I was finishing up, I thought I would check out the lingerie store in the mall, not realizing it was 10 minutes to closing.

When I arrived, I saw the closing gate had been pulled over partway and inquired what time the store closed, but when I said all I needed was a strapless bra, the cashier said it was no problem and proceeded to do a quick measure of my shape and send me off into the changeroom with a few choices. Ugh. No luck. Not surprised (as I really should have given myself a bit more time for this) I sheepishly came out of the changeroom and admitted to the salesgirl that actually I was looking for the bra to wear under my wedding gown and I would just come back another time when I had more time. Not only was she lovely and not disdainful that I had decided to do this shopping in 8 minutes or less, but she actually suggested that I wait until I try my proper dress on (up until now I've only tried on store samples) and then see what kind of undergarments I needed. "To be honest" she explained "you probably don't even want a bra. If you need some pushup, sew some shoulder pads inside the dress, stick on some pasties, and you'll be good to go."

I left the store just before they closed, happy that I might have actually checked one more thing off my list, in almost no time at all. And for free!


Nope, neither of the above dresses is my wedding dress, or anyone else's. They were just some photos from a ROM visit that I happened to have in my collection. What, did you think I was going to post a picture of my bra?!