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.

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.

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 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/

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

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

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

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/.

More Holiday Wedding Money Saving Ideas

Looking for more holiday wedding money saving ideas? Here's another one for ya:

Use holiday sales to find great, cheap wedding guest favors. There are plenty of trinkets, treats and toys out there this time of year. Take advantage of them being on sale! Here are some fun ideas - ornaments, cookie cutters, candles, chocolates, candies, or homemade treats. All of those items are fun wedding guest favor ideas, as well as being available at great $ savings right now.

Looking for green, eco-friendly wedding ideas (including inexpensive, green guest favors)? Check out our valuable Go "Green" - Eco-Wedding Ideas & Tips eBook page HERE.