ce leb ra te !

MONEY page C21

IVe/Gi lBOR

- HOOD RESTpta EN

222 Sherman Dr. • Royal Oak, MI • 810-584-7400

LUNCH: 11:30 am to 2:30 pm- Mon/ Fri
DINNER: 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm - Sun/Thurs • 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm- Fri/Sat

Rated **** by the Detroit Free Press and the Oakland Press
'4' Available for private parties of 40-125 Saturday and Sunday afternoons
Serving Trattoria Luncheon Favorites-Pasta, Salads, Bruschettone-& Fabulous Specials

GOODNITE GRACIE PIANO & COCKTAIL LOUNGE

224 Sherman Dr. • Royal Oak, MI
810-544-7490

OPEN 5:00 PM • CLOSED SUNDAY

1 Adjacent to D'AMATO'S

Otattelrdcte

I. Extensive martini menu; comfortable,
. cigar-friendly atmosphere with humidor
and private lockers

is going to be far more expen-
sive than an equally beautiful
one held at 3 o'clock. The later
time and proximity to the din-
ner hour means a several-
course champagne dinner. And
that adds up to a higher price
per person.
Instead, choose an afternoon
or early evening reception, and
arrange with your caterer to
have either fewer courses, a
wide variety of passed hors
d'oeuvres or just an elegant tea
party. The choice is yours, and
so are the unlimited options.
3. Keep it simple.

Located in the Washington Square Plaza Building in downtown Royal Oak with plenty of parking

A wining reception is a fine balance.

Less is definitely more when
you're creating an elegant, clas-
sic wedding. Many wedding
guests, when asked, didn't
even notice the sugar paste
swans the bride paid $250 ex-
tra for, and they were more
likely to think an over-the-top
wedding was "gaudy," "tacky"
or "just too much." And you
don't want your guests to go
home thinking that about your
wedding.
So think in terms of elegant
simplicity, and make your deci-
sions accordingly.
4. Analyze your personal re-
sources.
Do you know someone who

owns or works at a banquet
hall? Does your uncle know
someone who owns a limou-
sine company? Does your sister
play the harp? Your cousin
knows all about videotaping?
Your college roommate does
calligraphy? Your aunt is skilled
at flower arranging? Call upon
your friends and relatives to
help as their wedding gift to
you and perhaps put together
the elements of the wedding of
your dreams.
Accept your friends' offers to
help in any way they can.
Make it their wedding gift to
you, which
gives them a
break in the
pocketbook
as well.
5. Allow
plenty of
time.
The more
time you give
yourself to
plan the wed-
ding, assum-
ing you
haven't hired
a consultant,
the more
likely you are
to find bargains. You have time
to comparison shop, to make
deals, to find great sales, to dis-
cover a wonderful little dress
shop that has your dream
gown for less. Plus, you won't
be rushed into making impul-
sive, unwise money choices
just because the clock is tick-
ing.
6. Bargain down.
Haggle with wedding ven-
dors. See if you can talk them
down to a discount or even
one item free when you buy
five. You don't get it if you
don't ask.
7. Make smart trades on
your contracts. -