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To save on flowers, grow your own or buy them wholesale and ask a crafty friend to arrange them the day before the wedding.
For music, photography, cake, set up and many other things ask friends or family with special talents to help you out and offer their services as a gift to you.
Hold an h'orderve reception instead of a full blown dinner reception in order to cut costs and to avoid eating the buffet dinner that doesn't even taste that great anyway.
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Lydia
W.
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Make a list, make it nice,
Check it three times, not just twice.
Do some research, call around,
So when you're done, green can be found.
Compare the cost of this and that,
Good job; now give your shoulder a pat.
Make reservations in advance,
So on your wedding you may prance,
Up the isle and down again,
With your new husband, hand in hand.
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Amanda
L.
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To save money, I'm making my invitations and programs. It's a great way to cut cost. It also allows me to showcase my creativity and personal style.
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Leah
M.
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Visualize when trying on dresses. Imagine yourself at your actual wedding, the setting, your dress,and your reception. This helps you know if you are feeling the dress or if it's onto the next.
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Jennifer
D.
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Having a morning or early afternoon wedding, even on a Saturday, will help save on the cost of food, alcohol and possibly even reception hall rental rates. And that way the guests can still make plans for that evening and the rest of the weekend.
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Mary Susan
G.
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Send your bridesmaids pictures of the details on your dress so that if they are dress shopping by themselves they can subtly match your design!
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Felicia
T.
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Always try on your dream dress, but also try on styles you normally would not. You never know what will strike you and fully enhance the beauty that you are.
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Alfred Angelo
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The best way to save and cut wedding cost is to “Talk about your wedding”. I’ve received the most generous offers through the excitement of a wedding conversation. I’ve gotten offers from professional photographers willing to give me a discount, cake makers offering free service wanting to update their portfolio, seamstresses willing to alter my dress if needed for free and much more.
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Joy
C.
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The best way to save on your wedding is to always shop around, ask for discounts, and do your research beforehand. You can never be fully prepared (even the most organized bride!) but if you shop and compare, you will give yourself more options in a timely manner.
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Lori
A.
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Remember that it is you and your fiance's day. Make decisions that you two want even if some family members are not thrilled about it. If they love you enough, they will honor your wishes and go with the flow!
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Daphney J.
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Invite your future mother-in-law with you when looking for a dress, even if she can't make it, she'll appreciate the gesture.
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Meghan M.
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Remember when you are planning the meal, favors, flowers, colors or anything at all that pertains to your day...you and your husband are the only ones who need to like what you have. This is your day! You should consider all your friends that are crafty to help with making decorations. You could save a bundle! Enjoy your day, it is over before you know it!
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Kristina
B.
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Buy a beautifully decorated small cake for the traditional cake cutting, but serve your guests from a sheet cake hidden in the kitchen. They will never know the difference and you can save up to $4 per slice!!!
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Sara
D.
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Find a venue that is willing to take on some of your extra cost, such as: your cake purchase, hotel room for the honeymoon night, decorations, catering, all for a set price instead of individual prices.
We have spoken with the Embassy Suites who has a wonderful package that includes all of these things and will also host the wedding for a flat fee per guest!!!
It cut a lot of small cost like the cake cutting fee, renting linens, the cake and they even gave us an awesome deal on rooms for out of town guest.
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LouKisha
M.
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Gotta crafty momma, a sister that's an art major, or even a creative gene of your own? I've been lucky enough to have all three!
My tip would definitely be to do as much as you can yourself. While it may be more time consuming, we have saved a lot of money already, and have spent extra quality time with each other. My fiance and I are fortunate enough to have had over a year to plan and we've already gotten started on some DIY projects for our big day! Rather than hiring a wedding planner, we researched several venues in the area and kept the information in a notebook. I've sewn fun beach bags for the women and girls in our bridal party. We've started designing our "save the dates" via InDesign on our home computer, and I plan to take a floral design class in order to do our own funky centerpieces and bouquets.
My advice would be to try things on your own, at least at first...before spending the extra money to have things done for you. It's more personal that way!
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Lauren
H.
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The bride should go first by herself to see and try on dresses. Try on all styles even those she does not think she'll like, and once she has picked at least 3-5 styles and dresses she likes then take someone with her. Make sure the person she chooses to go with her is positive, open minded, and not trying to influence the bride but simply give an honest opinion.
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Dianna
C.
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Guests generally don't remember what they ate that night, besides the cake. They just remember that they did eat. So don't feel like you have to do a formal gourmet food spread! Go more economical and fun with your food selections, and cut out a HUGE portion of your expenses!
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Jennifer
L.
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Make sure you have some one helping you get ready for the wedding that is not in the bridal party, just in case they need to run out real quick to get something.
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Jennifer
T.
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Designate a go to person on your wedding day to take all the questions whether it be from families or guests. Questions like "Where's Grandma's cane?" or "What happened to cousin Annie's kid?" can stress the bride and groom out. On this day especially, both the bride and the groom need to stay happy and worry free.
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Sreya
P.
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If you don't think your budget will allow for fresh flowers, you're wrong. Just limit the amount of flowers to yourself and the wedding party, and use silk for the rest!
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Jessica
B.
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