1. Trim Your Wedding Guest List
Each time you add a name to your invitation list, you're increasing your budget significantly. It's not just the catering costs, but also the extra centerpieces, favors, rentals, etc. Don't invite anyone you haven't talked to in five years. Don't feel obligated to let single people bring a date. Avoid feeling pressured to invite all your work colleagues. And don't let your friends bring their children. You can also decide to eliminate categories like "relatives more distant than first cousins" or "friends from volunteer work." By not inviting anyone from that group, you'll help avoid hurt feelings.
2. Save Postage on Your Wedding Invitations
Forgo the inner envelope and blotter paper, which are leftover relics from times when ink needed time to dry, and people wanted a pristine envelope. Rather than having a reply card, ask guests to reply online or by the telephone. Not only will you save money from the printer bill, it should also reduce your postage expense.
3. Shop Sample Sales and the Internet for Cheap Wedding Dresses
If you wear a 6, 8, or 10, check out sample sales, which generally happen once a year. It's a great opportunity to get a designer dress at rock-bottom prices. You can also look on eBay, Craigslist and other websites for deals on used wedding dresses. Remember that cleaning the delicate fabric of a wedding dress may cost up to $250, so avoid the cheap dress with the filthy hem. And many towns have a shop where you can rent a wedding dress, saving you hundreds and hundreds of dollars.
4. Change the Day of the Week
Have your wedding on a weeknight or a Sunday. There is less demand for these dates, so vendors will often be willing to give you a better rate. Read more ways to save money on your wedding location.
5. Save Money on Church Decorations
For religious weddings, consider having your wedding near a major holiday. The church will already be decorated, saving you lots of money on flowers. On other days, look for simplicity. A candlelit ceremony can be romantic, gorgeous, and inexpensive. Not having your wedding in a church? Check out these tips on saving money on your wedding flowers
6. Learn to Ask for Help to Save Money
If you want to have a cheap wedding, pool your friends' and family's resources. Think of musicians you know, well-spoken friends who could be your officiant, and crafty people who can help you assemble things. They will generally be honored to be a special part of your big day. Also look for money-saving tips everywhere. Check websites such as wedfrugal.com and frugalbride.com, and ask friends and family members for what they did to save money on their big day.
7. Get Crafty - Do It Yourself
Throw a "pitch-in party," where you ask your friends to be a special part of your wedding by helping you assemble favors and make invitations, centerpieces, and other homemade inexpensive touches. Be sure to put out delicious snacks and have inspiring tunes on the stereo, so that your friends feel like they're at a party, not just part of an assembly line. Click the link below for DIY wedding projects.
More: DIY Wedding Projects
8. Look for Cheap Wedding Food and Drink
Be honest with your caterer about your need to save money. Ask them which are the least expensive entrees and whether a buffet is cheaper than a seated dinner. See if they'll let you provide your own liquor, or if serving only wine and beer will be cheaper than a full bar. Also consider only having the bar open during your cocktail hour, then serving an inexpensive wine with dinner. Especially if you and your fiancé don't drink, consider having a dry wedding.
9. Make the Most of eBay
eBay, eBay, eBay. It's a great source for everything from second-hand dresses to wedding favors, cake toppers, ring pillows and more. Be sure to allow ample time for the auction to end, and for shipping. Look for trusted sellers whose feedback indicates they have accurately represented what they have sold.
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10. Consider Cheap Wedding Invitations
Don't go for engraving - regular printed invites work just as well. There are a variety of cheap wedding invitations available on the internet. For a casual wedding, consider printing your own invites from your home computer. Stationery stores now sell printed paper meant to use in a home printer as cheap wedding invitations. More tips on saving money on your wedding invitations
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Wedding - Groomsmen Gifts
Hello Wedding Bargain Hunters,
I recently came across a great idea for groomsmen gifts. Buying something for the groomsmen can be challenging, but this option is sure to please:
I recently came across a great idea for groomsmen gifts. Buying something for the groomsmen can be challenging, but this option is sure to please:
Monday, May 3, 2010
Save Money - Hire a Wedding Planner
Is that possible, you say? How in the world could I hire a planner and save money? My answer is this; sometimes, you can't afford not to.
Let's face it; we are busy people, and usually have something better to do. For those of us with nothing better to do, a complete DIY wedding makes sense. For the rest of us...not so much!
If the following things do not sound feasible (or enjoyable) to you, consider hiring a consultant to help your wedding process out:
- Driving across the region, matching napkins to bridesmaid dresses, spending countless hours that could otherwise have been productive.
- Having guest favor "parties," where you rope all your friends and relatives in to tie tiny bows on tiny boxes for hours.
- Calling 8 wedding supply rental companies in your county, only to discover you've gotten quotes for the wrong thing.
- Spending your precious hours the morning of the wedding sorting and assembling reception table flowers instead of enjoying and relaxing.
You get the picture! OK, I was a bit extreme with those examples, but believe me they happen often. Remember, you can hire a planner to do certain portions of the wedding if you feel efficient with certain aspects.
Let's face it; we are busy people, and usually have something better to do. For those of us with nothing better to do, a complete DIY wedding makes sense. For the rest of us...not so much!
If the following things do not sound feasible (or enjoyable) to you, consider hiring a consultant to help your wedding process out:
- Driving across the region, matching napkins to bridesmaid dresses, spending countless hours that could otherwise have been productive.
- Having guest favor "parties," where you rope all your friends and relatives in to tie tiny bows on tiny boxes for hours.
- Calling 8 wedding supply rental companies in your county, only to discover you've gotten quotes for the wrong thing.
- Spending your precious hours the morning of the wedding sorting and assembling reception table flowers instead of enjoying and relaxing.
You get the picture! OK, I was a bit extreme with those examples, but believe me they happen often. Remember, you can hire a planner to do certain portions of the wedding if you feel efficient with certain aspects.
Yes, this is not our normal post with DIY suggestions and cheap wedding tips. However, for some people (you know who you are) this recommendation of hiring a wedding planner will actually save you money...and stress...and time.
Monday, March 22, 2010
2009 Wedding Costs
Per The Wedding Report's wedding statistics, the average cost of a wedding in the US was $19,580 in 2009. That was a slight decrease from 2008, but I suspect 2010's numbers will be very similar to 2009's, if not a slight bit higher.
As the economy recovers, brides and grooms will return to including extra services in their weddings.
Are you searching for ways to appease your wedding budget? If you are looking for Dessy or Alfred-Sung bridesmaid dresses, contact us now for pricing! ordering@nwweddingplace.com
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Wednesday, January 27, 2010
2009 Wedding Cost Trend
Hello Readers!
According to our source for wedding statistics, 2009 wedding costs dropped by more than 10% compared to 2008 weddings. The average spent on a wedding in 2009 was $19,581.
Many wedding budget items dropped, such as jewelry, gifts, invitations, and reception food.
Interestingly, spending increases still occurred in the photography, wedding dress and music categories.
How can you save money on your wedding budget? Get creative! Decide which categories are your top priorities, and which you can DIY. Ask friends and family with skills or resources to assist. Select a venue that is already beautiful, not needing extensive decor. Have an intimate ceremony at your honeymoon location, inviting only a small group of family and very close friends.
Those are just a few ideas!
Call us for Dessy bridesmaid and wedding gown prices - 360-951-6400 or email us at ordering@nwweddingshop.com.
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