Category — Budget Wedding

It’s with a heavy heart that I decided to stop selling my book, The $10,000 Dream Wedding.

Unfortunately, it’s not helping my reputation with fellow wedding professionals.  Helping brides like you save money…especially when we’re in the midst of a recession…just doesn’t sit well with desperate, money-starved wedding vendors.

Who would have guessed?

I’ve had some threats to drive me out of the business…people calling me a traitor…saying I’ve turned against the wedding industry.

Yeah, it pretty much sucked.  I tried to ignore it, but I can’t allow my business to suffer.

I still want to help my brides.  That isn’t changing.  And I still want to hear your savings story!

But the book is no longer available for sale.

The good news…

I’m keeping this blog alive, though I won’t be posting as often, so that you can continue to use it as a reference.  Also, the wedding budget planning, timeline, checklist and wedding questions to ask will still be available for anyone who has bought the book.

My deepest thanks to everyone who has supported me and my book.  And especially to those brides who reached out to encourage me and express their sorrow that The $10,000 Dream Wedding is going away.

You guys are the best!

Happy planning,

Stephanie

Nate Steiner

Are you in a state of shock and panic over wedding prices?

I’ve got good news for you…

Brides are spending LESS.

Um, right.  And how exactly is this good news?

Well, brides spending less means wedding vendors are making less money.  Which makes them start to PANIC…maybe as much as you did at first when you found out how darn expensive weddings can be.

(It’s about time they got a taste of their own medicine, right?)

When most wedding professionals get panicked…the first thing they do is drop their price. You better believe you can get top quality wedding services at bargain prices that haven’t been seen since the ’80’s.  Not only are vendors dropping their prices, they’re throwing in extras and offering wedding discount coupons out of desperation to get your business.

How do you know?

Good on you for asking, you smart, sassy bride.

The average wedding cost dropped another 12% in the first quarter of 2009 based on 780 surveys of brides and wedding vendors conducted by The Wedding Report.  This is attributed mainly to:

1. A decreased overall demand for products and services.
2. More couples marrying by a justice of the peace or other non-traditional means.
3. Couples holding the ceremony and reception at the same location to cut costs.

Add this to the other tools and tricks to slash your wedding expenses in half that you’ll learn in my book, The $10,000 Dream Wedding…and the wedding discounts and deals available right now are unbelievable.

This survey suggests that brides are spending less to cut costs and they are…but I also see brides spending less because wedding vendors are slashing their prices.  These businesses are SCARED.

Have you taken a glance at the housing market lately?  Housing prices have tanked.  You can buy a house at half or even a third what it was worth two years ago.  Houses in Detroit are selling for under $7,500!

The same thing is happening in the wedding industry.

If ever there was a time to step up and seize your wedding discounts…it’s NOW.

Brandi Sims

If you’re a chatty girl…aka “Big Mouth”…you may have an advantage as a bride when it comes to getting a wedding discount.

Then again, ANY bride can do this.  You’ve just gotta be talking about the right stuff.  Make sure you download my free report to learn how to use the Bride’s Secret Weapon that will literally compel wedding vendors to offer you a wedding discount.

Here are a few pointers I adopted from this Lifehacker post Top 10 Tips For Talking Your Way Into A Better Deal.

1)  Use the 15-20% Rule. If you’re a newbie when it comes to doing the deal and you don’t know where to start, ask for 15-20% less than your absolute highest price.  (Of course, I know you can do MUCH better than that with a little Diva Dealing training.)

2)  Just ASK. Simply asking for a deal will get you a discount in 3 out of 4 cases.  Really!

3)  Learn To Use the Power of Silence. Know those uncomfortable silences?  Use them to your advantage in negotiations.  Make an offer and then SHUT UP.  Use the pressure of the uncomfortable silence to urge them into a deal.  Remember: he who speaks first loses.

4)  Buy At the Right Time. This is CRITICAL.  Buy your wedding dress in April-May or Nov-Dec for the best deals.  If you’re dealing with a salesperson who has a quote, buy at the end of the month because they’ll offer you discounts to make their monthly numbers.

5)  Commit To Your Maximum Price and WALK AWAY If You Don’t Get It. That puts you in control.

Got a bridal bargaining story to share?  Leave a comment.

Judith Green

Every time I pick up the newspaper RECESSION is blasted across the headlines.  And weddings…traditionally viewed as lavish, extravagant affairs…are getting a recession make-over.  Check out this New York Times article, “A Sale To Benefit Charity and Thrifty Brides-To-Be.”  You’ve gotta love the photo of the bride to be in the red and white beanie with blue horns and stars adjusting her “girls” as she tries on a dress.

Downsize.  Cutting back.  Budget.  Trim.

No matter what you call it, brides are doing it.  The deals to be had right now are phenomenal. You can learn how to take full advantage of these recession deals on wedding gowns in my book.  But for now, take some pointers from these thrifty brides.

Judith Green

One bride snagged an Emerald wedding gown that originally sold for over $1,000 for only $250.  Another bought her dress for only $80.

How do you pull it off?

1)  Know what you want first. Surf photo galleries of wedding gowns on the internet, clip pictures from magazines.  Visit a few stores to try on dresses…shopping for options and not to buy…until you have an idea of the style you like.

2)  Shop the sample and bargain basement sales. Filene’s Basement started the original “Running of the Brides” blowout bridal sale in 1947 and bridal boutiques have been copying them ever since.  Designer dresses typically start at $250 at these marathon events.

Take a cue from thrifty brides and bring a posse with you if you attempt a sample sale.  One person to hold the dresses, one to find the right size, and one to run interference.

Sign up for a free account at Top Button to locate the sample sales near you or try these other sites to locate sample sales.

3)  Visit a consignment shop in an upscale neighborhood. Consignment shops only accept perfect or near perfect items and you can locate one in your area at this link.

4)  Browse the selection at local thrift shops, the Salvation Army and Goodwill.  Beware of damaged dresses, as thrift shop quality typically isn’t quite as high.  Contact them to find out if they’re planning to hold their own bridal event.

5)  EBAY! If you know what you want you can find it at deep discounts here.

6)  Buy used dresses online from Preowned Wedding Dresses or BridePower.

Whatever you do, know that you DON’T have to pay $2,000+ for the wedding gown of your dreams.  Find the option that works for you and work it girl!

How did you snag your designer dress at a discount?  Leave me a comment and share the knowledge.

Ollie Crafoord

One of the cornerstones of planning The $10,000 Dream Wedding is avoiding “wedding” products and services as much as possible.  As soon as you even whisper the word, “wedding,” the price goes UP, UP, UP.

Once bride recently asked me this question about saving on her wedding cake:

Kate Weber

Derek Rose

Jonathan Goforth

Some things are so worth fighting for.

I get asked this question all the time:

“What do I do if a wedding vendor just won’t deal?”

QUICK NOTE:  Learn the four psychological tactics that let you turn the tables on wedding vendors and literally compel them to give you discounts in my free Bride’s Secret Weapon special report.  It’ll get you half-way there.

If you ask for the discount…if you play by the rules of my “Price Slasher Game”…3 out of 4 wedding vendors will slash their price.  But what if it STILL isn’t in your budget?

Well, it might be time to pull the ole “Cash In Your Pocket” discount.

Ask the wedding vendor if they would be willing to reduce the price if you pay in CASH.

I’m not giving accounting or legal advice, but for some strange reason wedding vendors LOVE to get paid in cash.  And many times they’ll offer you a discount if you can fork over the green.

If paying cash is an option for you, don’t be afraid to try it with every purchase…after you’ve already gotten a hefty discount, of course.  It’s easy, fast and fun DIY Discounting 101.

But what if you STILL can’t make the price work for your budget?

If you’re committed to staying in the budget you set…it’s time to move on, cowgirl.  You CAN and WILL find another vendor willing to provide what you want at the price you can afford.

Don’t let yourself get too attached to any one vendor.  There are a lot more fish in the sea.

The key to getting high-end wedding products and services at bargain basement prices is being committed to your budget…meaning you’re willing to walk away. That’s when the magic happens because you MAKE it happen.

Have you joined the ranks of the frugalistas?

The term frugalista began circulating last year.  Defined by the New York Times: a frugalista is a person who lives a frugal lifestyle but stays fashionable by buying second-hand, shopping for discounts, etc.

I hereby proclaim myself a frugalista and declare that I will stick to my budget without sacrificing my sense of style and personality.

Are you with me?

It’s more important than ever to watch your spending now with the economy showing little hope of a turn around any time soon.  But that is NOT…I repeat IS NOT…a reason to get “cheap.”  Ever.

A frugalista values her money and spends wisely on what is important to her.  She scrimps and saves, but only where it pays to do so.  She is NOT “cheap.”

A “cheap chick” seeks out and buys what she’s looking for at the lowest price.  Period.

This is not necessarily a good idea.  If you’re looking for a pair of flip flops for your bridal party to change into during the wedding reception, cheap is awesome.  After all, the flops only need to survive the night.

But if you’re entrusting your photography to a cheap amateur who may…or may not…capture those images that will be all you’ll have left of your day once it’s done…maybe not such a brilliant idea.

I turn to my savvy sister Ruth Mantell over at Marketwatch.com for some backup.  In her article, “When It Pays To Pay,” she points out the all important truth that it doesn’t always pay to pay less.  Tagging along on a few of her recommendations:

1) It Pays To Have Expert Advice.  One reason to hire a professional at your wedding is the knowledge they have as an expert.  They know the wedding business inside and out; they can help you save with ideas you’d never even think of.  So pimp out your experts!  They are worth their weight in gold.

2) It Pays To Pamper Yourself. Of course you want to trim your wedding budget…but allow yourself a little splurge now and then.  Build the Splurge Factor into your budget.  It will make you happy and keep you happily on budget.

3) It Pays To Pay Someone Instead of DIY. If you don’t have the time or desire to be crafty, don’t take on a complicated DIY wedding project.  Sure, it saves money…but do you really want to spend 16 hours sweating over your wedding favors?  If not, skip the DIY projects.

Sometimes it does pay to pay.  A frugalista is smart…not cheap.  Go for the best value, not just the best price.

NOTE: But don’t despair if you can’t find an option to fit your budget.  Make your own wedding discounts! Download my free Bride’s Secret Weapon special report to learn how to get a discount on ANY product or service for your wedding.

Got a frugalista experience?  Leave me a comment.

Carlos Mendoza Lima

There’s a new wedding trend rocking the wedding industry that I am very excited about.

Most brides have been paying 2-3 times MORE than they have to for the wedding of their dreams for far too long.  And finally…they’re fighting back.

Gone are the days of the Bride Wars.  No more petty competition, jealousy, or hoarding ideas and favorite vendors.

The recession is bringing brides together for savings. As you realize your power…the Power of the Purse, that is…you can band together with fellow brides to create your own wedding discounts and savings.

Here are some creative ways to use the internet to connect with other brides to help each other save:

Bride To Bride Boutique and Recycle Your Wedding - These websites allow brides to purchase discount wedding accessories from brides after their weddings, and resell their own items.  You can find wedding gowns, shoes, jewelry, vases, you name it.  

Trash To Treasure - Even the infamous Knot website is getting in on the act.  The “Trash To Treasure” board links to The Knot’s sister website, The Nest, where brides can list their discount wedding merchandise for resale.

Meetups - Why stop there?  With sites like this one it’s easy to create a local community of brides right in your neighborhood.  You can meet as a group and pool purchases that can be used again, like vases, baskets and accessories.  Heck, you could even barter for services.  A crafty DIY wedding bride could help you out with your centerpieces in return for the candy buffet jars from your reception.

It’s about time brides took back their power from a wedding industry out to rip them off.  Hallelujah!

QUICK NOTE:  If you’re sick of getting taken advantage of and overcharged by wedding vendors, download my free Bride’s Secret Weapon report to learn my method that will turn the tables on wedding vendors and let you create your own wedding discounts.

Got a story about how a bride helped you?  Leave me a comment.

Have you stumbled onto Etsy yet for inspiration and deals for your wedding?

If not, you’re missing out on a GEM.  Like Ebay for homemade crafts, it’s the perfect place for idea wedding inspiration, cool crafts and handmade goods at bargain prices.

It’s a perfect home for the budget bride.

But if you’re pressed for time, now there’s something even better…

Etsy Wedding Blog.

The author sifts through all the Etsy delights for you, highlighting the best Etsy wedding deals and the most unique, distinct treasures that will make your wedding totally you.

Check out these posts for the vintage bride…

For the poetically inclined…

Those seeking handmade wedding dresses under $500…

And more.  Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t spend your lunch hour surfing among Etsy’s delights.

Oh…did I mention that Etsy is a great resource for green wedding favors and accessories?

It only gets better.

Happy Etsying!

Afonso L De Faria

America’s Research Group recently surveyed our buying behavior and made some interesting discoveries.

Almost no one is buying…unless it’s on sale.

The three reasons we put off buying:

1) We’re not in the mood.

2) We’re worried about losing our job.

3) We want lots of stuff…but all of it costs more than we want to spend.

These findings and more are reported in this Daily Beast blog post by Lee Eisner, “Haggling Through the Apocalyse.”

But one of the most fascinating findings was that in 2007, only 56% of buyers negotiated the price during the holiday season…but in 2008 72% haggled for a deal. And the best part?  80% of the people who negotiated walked away with a better deal.

The conclusion: EVERY price is negotiable.

This is DOUBLY true with wedding prices.

There are 8 Rules in the Diva Dealing Game of Wedding Negotiating.  If you follow the rules you can literally create your own wedding discounts on every product and service for your wedding.

If you don’t know the rules…or if you don’t follow them…the wedding vendor wins and you waste hundreds or thousands of dollars you didn’t have to pay.

You don’t have to be a hard-nosed bitch or an “expert” negotiator to pull off Diva Dealing.  You just need to follow the rules.  And if you do, you WIN.

It’s up to you to make the most of the wedding budget you’ve got.  It’s up to you to stretch it to the max.

It’s easier now than ever before.

NOTE:  Learn the 8 Rules of the Diva Dealing Game in my eBook, “The $10,000 Dream Wedding.”  And for goodness’ sake…download the Bride’s Secret Weapon Report.  It will teach you everything you need to know to minimally save $300-3,000 on your wedding.