"the hungry bride" news and stories

Piggly Wiggly Supermarket. Photo: Roadsidepictures

As my wedding comes to the six-weeks-away mark, Jon and I are finding that we're watching our money and trying to cut back where we can. One major place that I found for saving money is the supermarket. I asked myself last week, "Are there items I can save on and still get the same results?"

Of course, cereal was my first thought. With some brands and stores charging close to $5 a box, the generic brand never seemed so appetizing. But what else is there -- canned tomatoes, ice cream, butter, vinegar, olive oil and/or pasta? The list seemed endless.

So who better to ask than the blogosphere, where this has probably been tested many times. What items can Jon and I swap out for the more affordable generic store brands, and when is it worthwhile to splurge? Leave your thoughts in the comment section.



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Stylish sips. Photo: Bella Grace Studios

Very rarely does a wedding come along that stops me in my tracks. Usually they're too over-the-top, too stuffy and not personal enough, more for show.

The unforgettable wedding of my friend Josie to her now-husband, Adam, gave me hope again. It took place at the 21c Hotel and Museum in downtown Louisville. The ceremony was short and to the point, but a tearjerker for sure.

And the food -- oh the food! I can still taste it. After the completion of the ceremony, bags of popcorn and peanuts were up for grabs, along with refreshing Izze sodas in red hues with gray-striped straws to match the decor.

Read on for the complete menu along with jaw-dropping photographs.

Recipes from friends and family. Photo: Sarah De Heer

There are certain things in this world that make me very happy, and among them are recipes that have meaning or stories behind them. Knowing this, my best friend decided to skip the wishing well for my bridal shower and instead included recipe cards with the invitations, simply asking guests to add to my collection.

Out of all the gifts I received -- and I received many -- these recipes take the cake. They were not only cute (Etsy), but they fit perfectly in my wooden recipe box.

Two weeks later, after all the thank-you notes had been mailed, I finally got around to really reading through the recipes. It was fun to see that the people who knew me the best really took the time to write down something they knew I would love. Others who don't love to cook got creative and still managed to please my palate!

Find out some of my favorite recipes and clever ideas after the jump -- and feel free to add to my collection by sharing a recipe with me in the comments section.

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Most caterers will over-estimate the amount of food you'll need for your happy nuptials -- at least that's what we've been hearing. So what do you do with all of those leftovers? You've paid for the food, and it really is a shame to see it go to waste. I've recently heard some great suggestions.

A colleague of mine utilized Tupperware: If you're having an out-of-town wedding that the majority of your guests are coming out for, it's nice to send them back to their hotel room or back home with something to nosh on. Simply leave containers out near the food and have it made known that everything is up for grabs. They'll appreciate it when they get those midnight cravings!

It's also a great idea to donate the leftover food to a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Though, brides beware, not all states permit caterers to donate leftover food. Jon and I found ourselves in this situation. We wanted the food to go to good use, but Washington, D.C., law declares we're not allowed to donate directly to shelters.

Champagne flutes ready for a toast. Photo: Waldo Jaquith, Flickr

What's a wedding without a Champagne toast? Or does it really matter anymore?

More and more couples are opting to forego pricey bubbly and serve wallet-friendly alternatives like Prosecco, Crémant or Cava. Others are skipping the toast completely.

Come to think of it, I can't remember a time when I raised my glass for a toast and then finished the entire glass. A sip or two was enough for me. In a time when stretching every dollar is a mandate, is this something that will become a lost tradition? Toasting the bride and groom in good spirits will always remain, but besides a great photo-op, is there really a difference between toasting with a glass of champagne and toasting with a glass of regular old white wine or a gin and tonic?

Jon and I decided that this is an area where we could save money. Since we know some people might enjoy a glass of champagne during the evening, it will be offered at the bar upon request.

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