Live Wedding Music?

Are you considering having a live band or musicians play or sing at your wedding ceremony or reception? If so, are you wondering what some money saving ideas are? That answer depends on what exactly you are looking for.

Musicians - could be used for ceremony or reception

Soloists - normally used in the ceremony to sing a special song during communion or a sand or candle ceremony.

Ensemble - typically used for pre-ceremony and start of ceremony music

Live Band - reception dancing time!

Where do you see live music fitting in to your wedding? What kind of wedding budget do you have? For the most frugal weddings, usually having live music is out of the question. However, if your heart is set on it, here are a few ideas:

• Check with your local church. Bigger churches often have an abundance of great singers and musicians.
• Check with your local college or university's music departments.
• Ask talented friends, family members or friends of the family to use their talents.
• Scour MySpace to find local bands who are willing to work cheap. Try to attend one of their shows before you commit to hiring them!

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

3-Day Wedding Sale Coupon!

Yes! Here is an excellent coupon that just came in...This deal expires after this Sunday, October 25th, so shop quick!

Take $10 off $10+ at The Knot Wedding Shop this weekend only! Enter code BRIDECASH at checkout. Hurry – offer expires 10/25.

Click the link above and start your search for the perfect wedding accessories, guest favors and supplies! Enjoy...

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Get Wedding Music

Hello Wedding Deal Hunters!

Did you know that you can create your own (DIY) wedding ceremony and wedding reception music CD's? That is just one more great way to save money on your wedding. Many couples want the option of dancing at their reception, but don't have the budget to rent a live DJ. Get the best of both worlds by making wedding CD's yourself!

Write down the must-haves for your song list. Then, you can individually choose your favorite tunes here:



Lastly, use your computer and CD burner to create your DIY wedding music CD's! DONE!

You will need approximately 90 minutes of reception music for dancing. If you'd like, you could create a CD to be played before the wedding party arrives at the reception as well. You may also want to consider making a CD dedicated to the special songs only, i.e., the first dance song, the cake cutting song, etc.

Have fun!
Just another great tip brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Cheap Wedding Videography

Would you like to capture your wedding on video, but are reluctant to pay a video team thousands of dollars? Here are a couple of thoughts about ways to get video footage and not break your wedding budget!

Talk to your venue.

If you're getting married at a church, you may ask if they have video capability already. One of their tech team may be willing to run a camera for you to capture your wedding's ceremony. If so, be sure this is notated in your rental contract (if there is one).

Ask guests for help.

Have several wedding guests bring cameras to capture video from several different angles and perspectives. Set this up with them ahead of time, and be sure to tell them you want the tapes or files on DVD when it's done!

Assign the job.

Choose one trusted person and assign them the job of being the videographer. Maybe it could even be their wedding gift to you. Explain the shots you'd like to get, and give them a copy of the day's agenda so they can get familiar with it. Preferably, this person would be not involved in any other aspect of the wedding, and is not a parent, sibling or wedding party member.

We hope this information is helpful! To get more ideas, visit www.NWweddingplace.com and subscribe to this blog's RSS feed to be notified of new posts.

Wedding Supplies Sale

Looking for wedding chocolates, personalized guest favor matches, personalized napkins, candle favors, etc? We've found another wedding product sale for you!

Take 20% off any order over $100 or more...Plus also get free shipping on orders over $149!

Last day to use this coupon code - KSFFSEPT9 - is Thursday, September 24th.

Use this link to shop for your wedding now:

On Sale at The Knot Wedding Shop

brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Back Yard Weddings

Hopefully you enjoy our blog's new look!

Today we're going to talk about back yard weddings. In fact, I'd like to share a real wedding story about a couple who got married in a 2-acre yard. In Western Washington, planning an outdoor wedding is always risky business. However, this outdoor September wedding thankfully turned out very well!

It was the groom's parents' home/property, and it needed some work. Rather than spend a lot of money on a wedding venue, the couple and the parents decided to spend the money on upgrading the yard in preparation for the wedding. Not a bad idea, considering it improved the value of the home at the same time, and it could be enjoyed for years to come. They installed a new half-circle shaped concrete patio (for dancing), planted flower beds, installed new grass, and built a large, beautiful pond with a waterfall. The pond and waterfall was the backdrop for the ceremony.

For the reception, they hired a catering company and rented a large tent which was set up in a different section of the yard. A sound system was brought in to play music. Guests danced on the patio after the food and cake-cutting was finished. Some of the flowers that they grew were used for table decorations.

Parking was the tricky part, but thankfully they alerted (and invited) all the neighbors beforehand. The owners of a nearby empty lot agreed to allow parking on the lot.

All in all, this was a great idea. One of the main reasons that this idea was successful, was that it was the parents' property. It was a win-win situation for the bride and groom and the parents.

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Groomsman Gift Sale!

Hello Wedding Deal Lovers!

Here is what we've found for you this week. Some great sales on gifts for your groomsmen attendants. The sale is good through next Wednesday, so shop now! Click the link below to be taken to the shop online site:

On Sale at The Knot Wedding Shop

Happy Shopping!

brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Cheap Wedding Bouquets

Did you know that (according to the The Wedding Report) a bride's wedding bouquet costs between $136-$154? How would YOU like to save money on your bridal bouquet and bridesmaids' flowers? If you're reading this blog, I suspect you would like to...

Our best piece of advice = Get grocery store or Costco flowers and DIY your wedding bouquets.

Why? They already package them in pretty bouquets. They're really inexpensive, usually less than $20. Even if you need to purchase 2 of their bouquets for a really full look, you've saved yourself some serious cash! Once you're purchased your flowers (should be the day of the wedding if possible), keep them in water as long as you can until you need to make the bouquet. Simply secure the trimmed stems in 2 places with floral wire, wrap the stems with ribbon then secure the ribbon with pins. Violla!

Another great idea is to grow your own flowers. Yes, you will need to be conscious of what blooms and when in your area, but you can grow exactly what you'd like and have some nice, organic wedding flowers!

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Organic, Rose Wedding Flowers?

Yes! We have found just the deal you need if you're looking for organic roses for your bridal bouquet, ceremony flowers, wedding cake flowers, etc. Check out this sale, good through August 24th:

Happy Shopping!

To find more deals, visit http://www.nwweddingplace.com shop online section.

Sometimes people forget to consider or include shipping costs when budgeting for their wedding expenses. We've found a deal that may help to cut those costs!

Through August 31st, use this link to get free shipping from ShindigZ on all your wedding supplies, wedding accessories and ceremony and reception decorations!

Brought to you by http://www.nwweddingplace.com/!

Wedding Costs on the Downturn

Yes, that's right. Even though the economy is showing signs of improvement, couples are still on the hunt for wedding bargains, and choosing to have smaller wedding budgets. We can remember just 18 months ago when the average weddings in the Pacific Northwest were around $30,000! Now, in mid-2009, weddings are averaging around the $20,000 mark (according to wedding statistic sources).

How can you save money for your wedding? Here are a few simple thoughts:

DIY More

Are you crafty? If you have enough lead time, what could you (and your friends & family) do yourselves? Guest favors? Food? Gifts for attendants? Flowers? Veil?

Reduce the Guest List

A smaller ceremony and reception crowd almost automatically reduces costs in several major wedding categories, including venue, cake, favors, food, number of rental tables & chairs, etc.

Services as Gifts

If you know people with skills, such as hairstylists, bakers, photographers, seamstresses, etc., and they are close to you or your family, they may be willing to provide their service to you as their gift.

Brought to you by http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

Wedding Crystal Tank Top Deal

Greetings!
If you're looking for a "Bride", "Bridesmaid", "Just Married", or other tank top or t-shirt with crystal lettering... We've just found you a deal!

Check out this link: The Knot Wedding Shop (Sale ends on July 14th)

Maybe you're buying for a bride for a bachelorette party? Maybe you are the bride and need to get some fun bridesmaid/attendant gifts? These crystal wedding shirts are great. My sister had a "Bride" shirt for her bridal shower and also wore it on her honeymoon. She got many wonderful comments as she wore it!

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Wedding Savings Tip

Hello Readers!
Right now, I'm working with a bride with an August wedding date. We just ordered her bridesmaid dresses last week. To get them in time, we had to use the "rush" option. Unfortunately, when couples wait until the last minute to order their wedding items, they may end up paying more! So here's our latest wedding savings tip:

Plan ahead and order early to avoid paying extra fees!

Let's call these fees "last minute fees". Last minute fees come in all sorts of varieties, from rush fees tacked on to bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses, to increased shipping costs for supplies and personalized items. Here's what you can expect to pay more for if you order too late:

- Anything personalized (favors, attendant gifts, banners, sand ceremony vases, memorial items, etc).
- Bridal gown.
- Bridesmaid and flower girl dresses.
- Certain vendors may charge more for last minute bookings.

Hope this helps! Happy planning...
http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

Wedding Product Sales

Hello Friends! We've found a couple of places to get some great wedding deals. Thought you might want to know. Here goes:

From lingerie to wedding accessories, TJ Formal has a great selection to choose from for your special day!

There are some great deals to be found...if you know where to look! Keep checking back here so we can let you know what we've found! More soon...
www.NWweddingplace.com

Wedding Deal of the Day & Week

Hello wedding bargain hunters!
Here are a couple of my favorite online places to get great deals on wedding supplies. They have daily (ShinDigz) and weekly (The Knot) deals that you may want to check out. Who doesn't want to save money on their wedding ceremony and reception, right?!

and....

Good luck on finding just the right wedding products at just the right prices!
Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Cheap Wedding DIY Idea

Hello wedding bargain hunters,

Here's another great, money-saving tip for your wedding! This one is something you may not have thought of before and is definitely DIY.

Do you have a garden? If not, do you have a friend or family members that do? If you have a late summer wedding, consider planting flowers and seeds and grow your own flowers for bridal bouquets, bridesmaid bouquets, cake flowers, table decor, centerpieces, etc. And don't worry if something goes wrong and you come up short, it's simple to supplement with a few store-bought flowers!

This could be just what you need! Think about it, you can:

• Select flowers for their colors
• Plant them strategically so they'll be in bloom at just the right time
• Plant more than enough so you have plenty of extras
• Feel good about being eco-friendly with your wedding floral
• Mix and match as you desire
• Have a beautiful yard in the meantime!

Happy planting! Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Honeymoon Deal!

We found a great honeymoon deal today! Thought we'd share...

NEW! Save on All-Inclusive vacation deals. Air + 4 nights from $515!
Click HERE:
Save on All-Inclusive vacation deals. Air + 4 nights from $515! - Expires 5/26/09

For your honeymoon, all-inclusive is really the way to go. No worries...Just fun and relaxation! See you next time with our cheap wedding deal 'find'.

http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

DIY Wedding Invitation Tip

Looking for another money saving idea for your 2009 wedding? So many brides and grooms are searching for DIY wedding projects this year! Here's an idea for you -

DIY Wedding Invitations
Here are some ideas we have for getting a great deal on your wedding invitations!

1. Paper craft them. Get out your stamps, glitter, cutters, embossing guns, fancy scissors and get to work! Unique, pretty and fun.
2. Buy pre-printed cards. Use your fancy handwriting or calligraphy skills (or your friend's) to get 'er done. Not fancy, but it gets the job done!
3. Trade services with a printer. Know someone in the printing business? Can you (or a family member) trade services for some invitation printing? Just a thought...You never know.
4. Use a 'send-out card' service. Not super high quality, but send-out card services might be just what you need. For under $2 an invite (including postage), you could get basic cards made with your engagement photo on the front and wedding details inside.
5. Graphic design & print them yourself. If you have the right software, design skills and lots of ink...This could be for you!

Hope one of these ideas will work for you! Good luck...

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

3-Day Wedding Sale - Starts Today!

Hello wedding bargain hunters!
Thought we'd let you know about a big sale happening today through Wednesday the 22nd at the knot! Sale categories include wedding cameras, wedding reception supplies, unique guest favors, and attendant gifts. Many items are 50-75% off - WOW.

Here is the link to click:

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Organic Wedding Bouquet?

Hello Readers!

Are you looking for an organic bridal bouquet for your wedding? We found a sale...OK, well...officially it's a Mother's Day sale...BUT if you are looking to save some money on flowers, this idea will work for you!

Click this "Organic Bouquet" link below. Order in your flowers, then DIY (or have a crafty-type friend or family member) these regular bouquets into holdable bouquets by wrapping the stems in floral wire and covering the wire with ribbon.

This is an excellent way to go green, save money and DIY all at the same time! Buy a pre-made regular bouquet for the bride, the bridesmaids and to use elsewhere in your wedding ceremony's decor! Simple, eco-friendly and beautiful!

Tip brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com. Visit our green wedding eBook page for more green wedding tips: www.NWweddingplace.com/green-wedding-ebook.htm

Wedding Hall Walls

Hello! It's a beautiful day in the Pacific NW. I know some of you are planning weddings for 2009, and are concerned that your reception hall's walls are not so beautiful... What are your options at a good price?

One of the best wall covering ideas we've discovered is from this site:

ShindigZ.com. Click this link, then search for "Seamless Paper". You can get large rolls (9'X36') of heavy, matte finish paper to instantly cover those dreary walls!

Helium-filled balloons (tacked onto walls by their strings) are another good option, although guaranteed some will be popped during the course of your reception, and don't completely cover.

Got any other tricks you'd like to share? Please leave a comment - thanks!
www.NWweddingplace.com

Planning a Wedding?

If you are in the wedding planning process, chances are you need some misc. wedding supplies. We found a sale for you! Check out this link:

We'll be back soon with our next money saving wedding tip... stay tuned!

Brought to you by http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

Cheap Wedding Hair Idea

So... every bride wants a great hairstyle for her wedding, right?

Here is one bridal hair idea to save you money. If you have a friend or family member who is a stylist or is just really good with hair, ask them if they would be willing to fix your hair as their wedding gift to you! You never know until you ask!

This could be a great gift solution for them as well, if they are financially strapped during these difficult economic times. Be sure to ask for a trial style a week or two before the wedding, so she (or he) can practice. Have a couple pictures ready of the style you'd like them to create for you. That makes everyone's life easier!

We also know of an online hairstyle finder that might come in handy for planning your wedding hairstyle. Check it out our information about it and link HERE.

http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

Groomsman Gift Sale

A quick note about some cool groomsman gift products - on sale!

Pocket watch shown is just $19.99 each! Check this sale out! Ends next Wednesday, March 18th.

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Weddings - Simple Ways to Save Money

Hello readers!

We're going to start a series of short posts giving you quick tips and ideas on how to save money on your wedding, item-by-item. If you didn't already realize... As soon as the word "bridal" is attached to any sort of product, the price automatically jumps. For our first money saving idea, we're going to talk about "bridal" shoes.

I know some of you "shoe gals" aren't going to be loving this post, but have to mention it anyway! You can save some cash by just purchasing regular heels or flats. Actually, most bridal flip-flops are reasonable, but not appropriate for all gowns and weddings. It's nice on your budget when you can purchase an item that can be used again after the wedding, which regular white or ivory shoes could!

If your heart is set on bridal shoes, check out our shoe page HERE. There are at least some good deals to be found!

Brought to you by www.NWweddingplace.com

Cheap Deal on Wedding Reception Bubbles

Are these the coolest wedding bubble tubes ever?! Much nicer than the regular short, fat, white bubble containers that every other wedding accessory company offers! Lovely!

Also, did you know they have a new Eco-Wedding boutique too? Check out their link below, now -

The Knot Wedding Shop has the best selection of wedding favors. Make them unique for your wedding with free personalization.


Their wedding bubble sale ends next Wednesday, so shop fast! This is their cheapest sale EVER on their bubbles.

Brought to you by http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

Wedding Savings Tip of the Week

Have you dreamed of a destination wedding? Warm sun, sand between your toes, hearing waves crashing as you proclaim "I do"...

Could a destination wedding really save you money? It just might, if you do it right. Here are a few things to think about:

• Keep the wedding small. Chances are, only your closest friends and family will want to travel away for your wedding anyway. A smaller guest list translates into smaller costs for many items, including guest favors, catering, venue, wedding cake size, drinks, etc.


• Decorations. If you find a beautiful setting for your ceremony, your decor needs will be minimal, if anything. That saves $!


• Where do you want to honeymoon? Why not get married there then! If you're going there anyway, that seems like the appropriate place for the wedding.


• Consider your photographer. Do you know a photographer who needs a vacation? What if you offered that person airfare and hotel in exchange for being your wedding photographer? That could actually save you money, and be a tempting offer for a photographer. Try it!

Those are just a few thoughts and ideas to get your mind buzzing. Can you think of anything else? We're glad to hear your brilliant ideas too...

Brought to you by http://www.nwweddingplace.com/.

Wedding Napkins & Matches

Are you planning your 2009 wedding? We discovered a deal starting today, Feb. 11th, on personalized wedding reception napkins and guest favor matches. The color selections, font types and graphics are plentiful, so you're sure to find something that matches your wedding colors and theme! Here is the link:

This sale ends next Tuesday, Feb. 17th. Shop fast!

Looking for more wedding planning information? Visit www.NWweddingplace.com today.

Quick Wedding Saving Tip

In this temporary economic downturn, engaged couples are searching for ways to save money, yet still have a great wedding. Can it be done? YES! Here is our tip of the day...

Ask your local grocery store bakery about when they will have their wedding cakes on sale. Yes, it's true... they do actually have sales from time-to-time, believe it or not! Check with the bakery staff. Cakes normally do not need to be ordered with huge lead times, and if you know they will be having a sale, wait to order it then.

You can also save by ordering plain, round tiers individually, and then decorating them with fresh flowers at the reception yourself! If these options are even too much, simply purchase a top tier for yourselves and make matching cupcakes for guests.

Good luck!

For more money saving wedding tips, visit http://www.nwweddingplace.com/ today!

For green wedding information, get our eBook at www.NWweddingplace.com/green-wedding-ebook.htm.

10% off Code for The Knot Wedding Shop

10% off deal at The Knot Wedding Shop with checkout code HEART. Good through February 10th! Click their link below:

The Knot Wedding Shop has the best selection of wedding favors. Make them unique for your wedding with free personalization.

Contacting Wedding Vendors

Hi wedding barain hunters,

If you're getting married in 2009, your wedding budget may be tight. Here is a tip to consider when you are contacting your potential wedding vendors -

1. Immediately ask if they have any special deals right now.

AND/OR

2. Explain your budget $$ amount allocated for their particular category and see if they have a product or service option that will accommodate that budget.

By asking these things, the benefits to you could include

- the vendor might make up a special on the spot, just because you asked for one.

- you won't waste your time with vendors who don't fit into your budget.

- if they can't help you, the vendor may refer to you alternate sources that can accommodate your request/budget.

Good luck! Visit our shop online section at www.NWweddingplace.com/weddingshop.htm

Bridesmaid Attendant Gifts for under $10

Looking for a nice, yet economical gift for your wedding's bridesmaids and flower girl? Once again, we've found a deal!

Wedding Attendant Bracelets - These accents make great gifts for your special ladies. Check out the gorgeous Circle of Friendship Bracelet, only $9.99 with FREE personalization! Click the link below:

This is a great deal, especially since the personalization is free! Sale ends next week - January 27th! Check it out quick...

http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

Massive Sale at Alaska Airlines

Need to find a cheap honeymoon or destination wedding flight? This is one of the best sales I've seen from Alaska Airlines... If you're flying out from Boise, Seattle or Portland airports, check these deals out!

Winter Clearance Sale fares as low as $29

Good luck! Sale ends January 24th

http://www.nwweddingplace.com/

Wedding Reception Cameras - Cheap!

Wow - this is just about as cheap as they come! $2.99 for disposable wedding reception cameras at the knot's wedding shop. This deal is for 1 week only - January 7th through January 13th!
Get yours now:

These cameras are just fun to have a wedding receptions. Guests use them to capture candid shots of each other and of the bride & groom. Of course the wedding photographer's pictures will be stunning, but having these disposable wedding cameras to supplement the professional photos is so fun!

www.NWweddingplace.com