Operation Santa and Worst-Case Scenarios

Oh, it’s been a while, hasn’t it? I’m a member of the local jaycees, so I’ve been knee-deep in planning Operation Santa. Every year, we gather up and buy toys for about 200 underprivileged children in North Hollywood on Christmas Eve, and I’m chair this year. We still need volunteers to pack the toys up on Saturday, and to deliver the toys on Monday, so if anyone is interested, let me know.

So, I did get a copy of The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Weddings, and I’m going to try and post a tip per day. These are in no particular order, except on what amuses me each day:

HOW TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE WEDDING:
1. Ask Family Members to pay for specific expenses – Have numbers ready to justify costs. If you sense resistance, threaten to elope or have the reception at a seedy nightclub. [Hee!]

2. Register for Wedding ceremony and reception components – Register for floral arrangements, the ban, limousine service, liquor for reception, and each course of the meal [Note – you can do this at Felicite.com,or Ourwishingwell.com

3.Hold a Raffle – Offer the guests a chance to buy tickets to win the wedding dress, a ride in the limo, or a chance to join the honeymoon. [Uh, maybe not the last one, so much. And maybe for a chance to wear the wedding dress?

4.Wash guests cars – Hire a student at a low hourly rate to sell expensive car washes to the guests as they attend the ceremony and reception. [I REALLY kind of like this one]

5. Procure Sponsors – Strike a deal with a local company. Agree to place its logo on the invitation,wedding dress, tuxedo, or cake. Have the band leader announce each song with, “This song has been brought to you by the good people at [name of company].” Hang company banners around the altar and behind the bandstand. Allow the company to set up a kiosk at the ceremony and reception site to dispense information, key chains, and other swag.[Another idea that could totally work with some minor modifications.]

Go forth and save money on your wedding!