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Show For only $99 Plan simple wedding It is a mistake to think that wedding traditions tradi-tions and rituals must come only from the past. Weddings are put together with the rules by which a family operates. A family chooses the tradition and embraces it on their own way. It seems to say "This is the way we are." THE ROBERT Dean Bennett family of Farmington approached a wedding in just this way. A tight budget dictated the need for a plan and a creative new approach to the Wedding Party Memory. VOur finances demanded a new approach," stated Linda Bennett, mother of the grcom. "When love and generosity are often measured by the cost of the reception party you give, we were afraid we would overextend ourselves financially in an attempt to win approval." The Bennetts desired to give the wedding couple and friends what would be considered a lovely and generous wedding, but they had a strong need to avoid excessive spending. SO THEY set to work with a master plan called "The Ninety-Minute Wedding Party for Less Than Ninety-Nine Dollars." Mrs. Bennett Ben-nett is presently writing a pamphlet with the same title. The family sat down and decided how much they could spend. They made a list of all the things they would need to buy and put a specific speci-fic amount to each item. "We added up the list the first time to see if it matched the total we had decided upon," stated Bob Bennett. "The amount differed so much that after the initial shock we made adjustments.and began creating ideas," he said. FOR INSTANCE, the flowers and decorations decora-tions portion of the budget far exceeded everything every-thing else. Mrs. Bennett knew she would have to do the arrangements and bouquets herself. "I studied pictures of arrangements and looked i in shops at bouquets. I decided I would try it : myself. I checked shops, found items on sale ; tables, visited garage sales and soon had a table : full of silk flowers, plastic hearts, leaves, etc. : In minutes the stack became arrangements, wreaths for the walls and bouquets," said Linda. Red silk wreaths (straw wreaths wrapped with red ribbon) were hung for the couple to stand beneath and straw wreaths for decorations decora-tions hung throughout the house. Table decorations decora-tions were made by wrapping a fern, a stem of roses and a stem of white flowers held together with green floral tape and placed in white vases. The six table arrangements were dis-played dis-played at the party and later sold to a local restaurant. The wreaths were also sold which paid for the entire cost of all flowers at the party including bouquets and also made a nice credit to the wedding budget as well. "THE IMPORTANT thing," states Mrs. Bennett "is to do what you can yourself. Be honest with yourself about your capabilities. Flower arrangements came easily for me, but I had a hard time with the corsages and boutineers." With the help of a good friend and flower arranger, Darlene Thompson, they put together three corsages and eight boutineers in less than twenty minutes. "The best gifts of all are those money can't buy," says Darlene. "It's in the sharing spirit that we give of ourselves and our time as gifts to the married couple." The Bennetts used their budget plan, outlining outlin-ing all tasks and had the family help with the details. They were out to break all records . . the goal was a Ninety-Nine Minute Wedding Wed-ding Party for Under Ninety-Nine Dollars! "There is no better way to bring the family together," states Bob, "than planning a party." par-ty." Everyone got involved at his own level. Some addressed invitations while others licked stamps and ran errands. "THINK SIMPLE," says Mrs. Bennett, "At last! The cake is as practical as it is beautiful: Serve it as the main refreshment!" A three tier cake stacked one on top of the other split and filled with strawberry glaze was as rich in taste as it is in tradition. It was served with tiny plates with a berry tart and rose mint patty. A light punch was also served. |