| |
|
Use candles in centerpieces to cut back on flower expenses
–
Sandra
F.
|
|
To save money on expensive flowers, have an edible center piece that doubles as your favors. Purchase candy coated chocolate in your wedding colors and place in a glass bowl with empty favor containers around it. Scoop the candies with a small scoop.
–
Michele
G.
|
|
I decided to have my wedding in december so I wouldn't have to spend extra money on decorations. Every venue we have looked at already has holiday decorations on hand and we are able to use what ever we want at no extra charge.
–
colleen
l.
|
|
To save money on expensive flowers have an edible center piece that doubles as your favor. For example put candy coated chocolate in your wedding colors in a glass bowl and have empty favor containers around it for guests to scoop them into.
–
Michele G
|
|
Buy flowers in bulk from a wholesaler. Get family and friends to help you make the bouquets and boutonnieres. You can even make those cute flower balls. The internet definitely has great do-it-yourself ideas.
–
Ashley
N.
|
|
Find an all inclusive venue so that the cost of services will not exceed budget
–
Shavonne
J.
|
|
If you are like me and have your heart set on one type of flower that is more expensive, see and recognize the beauty of one single stemmed flower to match your bouquet of that flower for your bridesmaids. Not only cutting costs and allowing you to have the flower arrangement of your dreams but it also is very elegant to have a single rose or orchid in the hands of your bridesmaids with a flowing ribbon.
–
Mariel
W.
|
|
Enlist your family and friends to assist you at your wedding! What a great way to catch up and connect by planning for the BIG day.
Recycle any house-wares you have around the house in creative ways.
–
Sandra
T.
|
|
You don't have to sacrifice your dream wedding, but in order for you to do that you need to prioritize. What do you want to spend the most money on? What would you mind not having or spending less money on? Maybe you don't need that limo or ice sculpture.
See what you wouldn't mind doing yourself or not having at all. If elegant food isn't your thing, get your favorite fast-food or restaurant to cater.
*Be Creative and use your loved ones to help you!
-Hope you all get your dream weddings without giving yourself a nightmare of debt!
–
Jacqueline
D.
|
|
Look online! You can find tons of great giveaways and contests and maybe win stuff for your wedding. Talk to your family members on both sides, who knows? You might find someone who knows how to make flower arrangements or someone who knows a cheap but great cake vendor. Hand-make your own invatiations by going to your local craftstore and getting the supplies yourself. It will be more personal to you and your guests knowing that you made them yourself.
–
Brittany
D.
|
|
To help with the troubled economy - have family and friends join in the wedding fun. Have a "Get Together" to help make bouquets for bridesmaids, pew decorations, flower arrangements for centerpieces for receptions or birdseed/rose petal bags. This "party" is not only cost saving but loads of fun to have everyone you love to be together, laughing and sharing with you as they play a part of the Wedding of your Dreams.
–
Shannon
R.
|
|
When considering wedding band and ring options, consider going vintage by either choosing an heirloom piece that has been in your families for decades, if not generations, or buying an antique ring.
–
Rosalyn
K.
|
|
I am a complete control freak. So to stay involved and in control as well as save money, I have decided to design my own centerpieces, using less flowers and purchasing all the supplies from discount places.
–
Nicole
C.
|
|
To save on a DJ, create your own playlist of songs on your IPod or computer and rent a sound system. If you want music suggestions, put a place on your RSVP cards for guests to list songs. This way you can be certain everyone will enjoy the song selection.
–
Amanda
P.
|
|
Can't afford calligraphy? Use an home printer and a free calligraphy font (from a site like dafont.com) and print in a very light color on the envelopes. Then use a thick paint/ink pen from a craft store and trace the lettering. Looks just as professional as real calligraphy.
–
Carla
S.
|
|
Try a DIY project such as designing your own invitations and having them printed online for about half the cost as professional invites.
–
Carla G
|
|
Have an intimate wedding with immediate family and close friends. Have a big party/reception 6-12 months later.
–
ELAINE
B.
|
|
Think outside the box on your rehearsal dinner. We chartered a yacht for a sunset cruise and are bringing a few bottles of wine and some hoagies aboard. The cost was much cheaper than having dinner at a restaurant.
–
Shauna
A.
|
|
Enlist friends and family with special talents to help with your wedding. My father did the flowers and my mother did the cake for my brother's wedding and they both came out beautiful!
–
Jessica
S.
|
|
The best cost-saving tip I have learned is to avoid dealing with wedding vendors as much as possible! Wedding vendors specialize in such events and are therefore able to charge whatever prices they would like given weddings are their only source of income, versus a vendor that has weddings as a part of their overall daily operations. For example, my reception venue is not a typical wedding reception venue. It is actually a private business club that just happens to have the space and resources to accomodate a wedding reception. As for my cake, it is from a local baker that just happens to make wedding cakes in addition to birthday cakes and desserts. For my photographer, I am not interviewing folks that call themselves wedding photographers. I am looking more at photographers that also capture other moments such as families, birthdays, modeling shots, etc... The tip to not deal with wedding vendors was a great tip passed along to me by former brides.
–
Linh
H.
|
