Category — Wedding Ideas On A Budget

It’s official.  It is now COOL to buy a used wedding dress.

Check out this article to find out how brides are purchasing “preowned,” “once worn” or “lightly loved” gowns and savings hundreds…and sometimes thousands…of dollars.

Remember how I said being a frugalista or recessionista would be cool?  The time has come.

Ultra extravagance is out.  Cheap and chic is in.  Reduce, reuse, recycle.  Even “the” dress.

Designers wedding gowns can cost up to $10,000 or more.  But even these high end couture gowns discount 25-50% off retail price.

Examples of how smart, savvy brides are saving:

PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com - One bride saved $1600 on the gown of her dreams by buying a used wedding dress.

Bride Chat Rooms - Another bride browsed the WeddingBee classifieds and found the wedding dress (a Jim Hjelm, original cost $3,100) in her exact size for only $1240.

Craigslist - One bride bought TWO wedding dresses.  Total cost: $300.

Encore Bridal - Sells sample, new and used wedding dresses that are not more than three years old for 30-60% off gowns discount.

Renting Dresses - Some brides are even renting dresses from bridal salons.

BrideToBrideBoutique - Used wedding dresses and bridal accessories at wedding discount prices.

Ebay.com - Buying used wedding dresses and designer dresses direct from the manufacturer for a discounted price.

Back in the day, brides would never even think of admitting that they walked down the aisle in a used wedding dress.  But today…it gives you bragging rights.

What do you think about wearing a used wedding dress?  Leave me a comment.

Wedding favors are a pet peeve of mine.  I’ve attended hundreds of weddings and it pains me how often I see guests forget to take them home…or purposely leave without them because they don’t want them.  Favors the bride has taken so much time and effort to plan in exquisite detail.  WASTED.

In my opinion, favors are over-rated.  But if you DO decide to give them…for goodness’ sake, GO CHEAP.

DIY wedding favors can be an easy way to save.  The semi DIY favor above is super easy and pretty cheap.  You assemble the monogrammed chairs yourself and stuff them with goodies like chocolate or candy.  (*Hint - edible favors get taken home or consumed on the spot every time.)  Plus, these babies double as place cards…saving you more money.

YOUR COST: $9.60 for 12 = $108 for 100 DIY wedding favors / place cards.

If you’re slightly more crafty (but only slightly, these are super easy to make) try out these matchbook notepads from DesignSpongeOnline.com, a new spin on the monogrammed matchbook favor idea.

Supplies you’ll need:

• Cardstock
• An x-acto knife or cutter
• Stapler
• Rubber stamp kit

COST: For 100 guests = approximately $44.

You get to show off your craftiness, express your personality AND save money.  I encourage you to take the uniqueness to the next level by making your diy wedding favors say something about you…use your favorite candies, make it a tribute to your favorite hobby.  Literally put your “stamp” on it.

For more ways to make your wedding unique and save money, check out my eBook.

Got a favorite wedding do it yourself idea?  Leave me a comment.

Most brides make a common mistake that prevents you from taking advantage of a HUGE wedding discount.  It often makes the difference between being forced to have a run of the mill, cookie-cutter wedding…and having your dream wedding.

The Common Mistake:  Picking your wedding date FIRST.

Why is this important?

Choosing the right date for the wedding makes you eligible for a wedding discount of 25-50% off the ENTIRE COST of your event.

That is no exaggeration.  If you choose the right date, you can save half the cost of your wedding.  If the average cost of a wedding is $27,000…that’s $13,500 to keep you YOUR pocket…without compromising a thing.

But if you pick your wedding date before you set your budget…or before you find out which dates are available for “off season” wedding discounts…you’ll MISS the opportunity to save $1,000’s.

How does this work?

Weddings are seasonal.  While brides get married year round, most weddings are clustered between the months of June through October.  The more popular the month for weddings, the more demand for those dates, which means…HIGHER PRICE.

Most venues and wedding vendors offer discounts for weddings planned in the “off season.”  Since there are fewer brides competing for those dates, they charge less to offer an incentive to book.

Figure out how much money you have to spend on your wedding BEFORE you set the date. That way if you don’t have enough for the wedding of your dreams…in June…you can plan it in April or November, exactly the way you want…without blowing your budget.

Consider an “off season” wedding.  Find out what the wedding season is for your area.  Then shop the venues and ask about price.

Don’t be scared off by the idea of having a wedding in the unfriendly “off season.”  One bride I know saved $15 a head on her wedding venue…by shifting her date just one day earlier.  Instead of having her wedding on April 1st, she moved the date to March 31st…and took advantage of a discount that saved her $3000.

And that’s not even counting the discounts she got on her wedding vendors.

Find more on which dates to choose to plan your dream wedding inexpensive in my eBook.  And make sure you download my free report that shows you how to save with ANY wedding vendor…even the ones who swear they don’t negotiate!

Caribbean honeymoons are available at a steal.  Right now, Caribbean resorts are slashing prices: beach front rooms starting at only $78 a night, 5 night cruises for under $250.

How do you scap up this killer honeymoon travel deals?  Check out this article on Affordable Caribbean destinations.  It lays out the best deals for all your top Caribbean destinations…where to stay, where to eat, affordable activities, the best discount shopping, and the most beautiful free beaches.

My husband and I went on a Caribbean cruise way back in ‘99 and it was one of the best vacations of my life.  Aruba was HOT, but all its beaches are public and free.  We went bicycling on St. Thomas.

I’m staring at a photo of us looking over the gorgeous view of Magen’s Bay right now.  *sigh*

So take advantage of these fabulous Caribbean honeymoon travel deals for both of us, would ya?

Make sure you check out the Big 3 Travel Discounters: Travelocity, Expedia and Orbitz.  All of them are offering deals on Caribbean cruises, honeymoon inclusive, and packages so deeply discounted that they are usually seen only during the off season.

These honeymoon destinations are hurting because of the down economy…which means a wedding discount for you.

Don’t forget to advertise your honeymoon status.  This can translate to additional freebies and discounts on your hotel accommodations and tourist packages.

More ways to make your wedding inexpensive…and still have the wedding of your dreams…in my eBook and free report.

A California native renews her appreciation for alcohol in her New York Times essay, “Wine-Order Bride.” Apparently serving wedding liquor at a Tehran wedding in Iran is a challenging experience.

Fortunately, you won’t have to break the law to serve alcohol at your wedding.  But will you have to break the bank?

The answer is NO.

The easiest way to save big on your wedding liquor is to provide it yourself.  If your venue allows you to buy your own liquor, you can save up to 86%…and return unopened leftovers for a full refund.

An open bar typically costs $3000-5000 for 200 guests, depending upon how long the bar is open.  Then you’ve got to tip the bartenders.  And often venues charge you “corking fees” to open the bottles.  (Yet another example of ridiculous wedding mark-ups.)

When you buy the wedding liquor yourself, you can buy it from a wholesaler at discount prices.  Make sure the store allows refunds for unopened liquor.  Voila! You’ve hacked your wedding liquor expenses down to only 24% of what you would have spent…that’s $720-1200.  If you’ve got heavy drinkers in your crowd it makes a BIG difference.

What if you’re venue doesn’t allow you to purchase your own booze?

Consider limiting the selection to wine and beer.  It will keep your guests from getting sloppy drunk and keep expenses minimal.

Or you can limit the open bar to the cocktail hour and part of the reception.  Switch to cash bar for the later portion.  This prevents over-indulgence and helps your pocket book.

If you’re serious about planning your dream wedding without going broke or going into debt, make sure you download my free report that teaches you to save $2,500 or MORE in only 15 minutes.

Rubbing your eyes at the title of this post?  That’s right…

It IS possible to plan a free wedding.

Before you call me crazy, listen to this bride’s story…

Pao Mei Etchells is a graduating cadet at West Point Military Academy.  Her fiance is also a soldier.  When Pao Mei approached her wedding coordinator, Anh Sobo of Hudson Valley Events, she quickly discovered there was NO WAY she could afford her because she was planning a wedding on a budget.

But Anh decided she would give the military couple the wedding of her dreams by donating her services for FREE.  She’s already managed to book a free photographer and florist for the wedding, saving the couple thousands of dollars.  (You can check out the article on Hudson Valley Weddings.)

Before you say to yourself, “She’s special.  She’s a military bride.  I could never do that.”

Remember what I tell you in my eBook:

It’s all about taking your advantage.

And once you find your advantage, milk it for all it’s worth.

Taking your advantage means that you find what you have that your wedding vendors want.  And then use it to get what you want: free wedding services or a wedding discount.

Ms. Etchells used her military status and a sympathetic wedding coordinator to plan her dream wedding on a budget.  What advantage do you have?

For example:

• Are you a business owner, writer or web designer who could barter services for a discount?
• Do you have connections at a newspaper or magazine that would provide advertising or a powerful introduction for your wedding vendor?
• Do you have friends or family planning a future wedding who would be a referral for wedding vendors?

Any of these scenarios can give you leverage in bargaining with wedding vendors.  If you have enough of an advantage, you can even get your wedding services FREE.

This wedding coordinator may be donating her services out of the goodness of her heart…but she’s also getting a phenomenal promotional opportunity out of the deal.  All the local papers will publish her story…and that’s FREE ADVERTISING for her.  She benefits from being a hero for a bride in distress and gets free press in the bargain.

One savvy bride did it…and you can, too.

What’s your advantage and how will you use it to save on the wedding of your dreams?  Leave me a comment.

Forever Moments Photography

I finished a phone interview with a reporter from Ulster Publishing who is writing an article on how to make your wedding inexpensive in a down economy.  He approached me for my insight as a wedding insider, and man, did he get an earful!

Once I stopped patting myself on the back (I am a wedding expert, after all) I shared my 4 favorite ways to save on the wedding music.

1. Ask For A Discount. If you want a discount, ASK.  Very few brides realize that wedding prices are negotiable.  And of course, the wedding industry doesn’t WANT you to know.  If you simply ask…without high pressure or “negotiating” tactics…3 out of 4 wedding professionals will offer you a discount.
2. Avoid the Upsells. Some DJs and bands will sell you on expensive lighting or prop packages (Hawaiian leiis, inflatable instruments, giant sunglasses and other junk that’s better off at a sweet sixteen party, in my humble opinion.)  DON’T take the bait.  A good entertainer will give you a fantastic party without the options.  And lights are practically useless in the daytime…another thing they “forget” to tell you.
3. Ditch the Cocktail Hour Music. Don’t hire a professional for your cocktail hour.  Most reception halls can pipe in canned music or play one of your CDs, or you can set up an iPod.  Save your music $$’s for where it matters most: the dancing portion of your day.
4. Ask Talented Family and Friends To Perform.  If you’ve got musicians in the family, consider asking them to perform your ceremony music.  If you’re okay with a non-professional level performance, this is an excellent way to easily save $250-500 and add a personal touch that makes your wedding unique.

If you’re ready for more unique cost saving ideas, check out my eBook on How To Plan Your Dream Wedding On A Budget.  And make sure you download my free special report…following my “Bride’s Secret Weapon” method increases your chances of getting a killer discount by 50-75%!

Feel trapped by inflated wedding professional prices?  You’re not alone.

I spoke with a bride the other day who is planning her wedding on a very tight budget.  She’s paying for it all herself and has eight months to save the money.

She’s having a reception on the cheap for 100 people.  On the hunt for a wedding photographer at local bridal shows, she was shocked to discover that most photographers were charging $3,000 for a basic package.

“My entire reception costs $3,000,” she exclaimed.  “How can I pay that for just a photographer?”

Which brings me to my question…

How much is too much for wedding photography?

If you go by the percentages suggested by most wedding planning magazines and my wedding budget calculator, her photography expenses should be somewhere in the neighborhood of $1000-1600.  But here in New York, most of the wedding photographers charging those prices have dubious reputations.

When it comes to determining your budget and how much you “should” spend, YOU are the boss.

If you really want wedding photos that will capture the emotion and beauty of your special day and make you look like a million bucks…you’re going to have to pay for it.  But how much you pay is up to you.

This particular bride wanted to stick with her budget of under $1000.  So I suggested a few things to consider that will help her plan an affordable wedding.

1. All Price Is Negotiable. You’re not in a supermarket.  You don’t have to pay the sticker price.  If you just ask for a discount, 3 out of 4 vendors will give you one.
2. Book Less Time. Consider booking a photographer for only the ceremony, formal shots and through the first hour or so of her reception to save time.
3. Hire A Professional Photographer Who Doesn’t Specialize In Weddings. Find a talented student or professional photographer who doesn’t shoot many weddings.  He or she may be willing to sell you just a CD of your images for under $1000.  Then you can take your photos to SnapFish.com or Blurb.com to make your own albums.

Will you regret cutting corners with your photography?  Well, of all the regrets brides have after their weddings, wedding photography–and the lack of it–ranks highest.

But only you know what’s best for you.  Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.

Wedding photographers will swear you’ll regret cutting any corners on “preserving your special memories” …because they’re more concerned about lining their pockets.  Take the time to figure out what’s most important to you and tweak your budget to fit it in.  If you are creative and flexible, you CAN have your dream wedding on a budget that doesn’t land you in debtor’s prison.

Ready to learn more ways to save and still get what you want?  Check out my eBook on How To Plan Your Dream Wedding On A Budget and download my free special report to learn how to easily save $2,500 on your wedding.

Photo by Charlie Dave

If you want to save money on the wedding of your dreams, you’ve got to BUCK THE TREND.  Get creative.  Dare to be different.

Why?

Because traditional “wedding” products and services have a markup of over 30-300%.  Plus, there’s a HUGE demand for the traditional stuff…Big Demand + Wedding = Big Price Tag.

So if you want to save and still have the wedding of your dreams…it’s time to get CREATIVE.

I list tons of great creative, money saving ideas for an affordable wedding in my eBook, How To Save $2500 on Your Dream Wedding.  But here’s one of my favorite ideas…

Make your wedding invitations cheap by using a postcard.

Get this: the average couple spends $659 on wedding invitations and reply cards according to the Bridal Association of America.  Prices range from $1.50 each for cheap do it yourself invitation kits to $9 for the high end ones.  But you’re not finished there…you’ve gotta add in the postage.  And it’s often MORE than 42 cents if your invites are over-sized or heavy stock.

But let’s keep it simple for math’s sake.  I found this Floral Flurry wedding invitation at Wedding Paper Divas.

It costs $238.50 for 150 invites, plus $154.50 for the response cards and envelopes (without a printed return address)…a total of $393.

Now, if you include a POSTCARD instead of the traditional response card and envelope, you can get 250 postcard invitations for only $19.99 from Vistaprint.  That saves you $134.51.

But the savings doesn’t stop there.  Postage on 150 of the traditional response cards is $63.  But postage on postcard responses is only $40.50…a savings of $22.50.

By using response postcards instead of typical response cards with envelopes you’ll save $157.01.  These are relatively cheap invitations; the more expensive your chosen invitations the more you’ll save.

And that’s just the beginning…

What if you dared to request RSVPs by telephone or email?  What if you sent your invitations through email with a service like Evite.com?

You could reduce your invitation expenses (using this example) down to only $154.50…and if you use Evite you could drop your invitation costs down to ZERO.

The point is don’t send a wedding invitation just because it’s “traditional” and it’s what you’re “supposed” to do.  Be creative!  Be that smart, savvy bride I know you are and save your $$’s to spend where it’s important to you.

Find any creative ways to make your wedding invitations cheap?  Leave me a comment.

One of the best ways to plan an affordable wedding that really fits you is to get creative.  It’s something I stress again and again in my eBook on planning a wedding on a budget…because it can save you $1,000’s.

On that note, let’s talk about wedding cake price…

According to the Bridal Association of America, the average cost of wedding cake is $543.  Wedding cakes are usually priced by the slice: $1.50 per serving for a low-end, simple cake…$5-6 per slice for a flavored, mid-end cake…$10 and up per slice for an exotic, high-end cake.  And that’s just getting started.  Cake decorations can quickly add to the expense; the more elaborate the design, the more the price racks up.

Now, let’s get REAL about how much value your guests get out of that price…

If you’ve been a guest at a wedding–especially if it’s a really kickin’ party–by the time the cake gets served to the tables, everyone’s up and dancing.  They’re having so much fun they are not thinking about cake.  And by the end of the reception, HALF the cake is sitting, uneaten, on the tables.  It gets THROWN OUT.

Is that a good value?

I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest something shocking…maybe even dangerous.

What if you skipped the wedding cake?

Agh!  The horror!

Seriously, a wedding cake is traditional.  Your family is probably going to tell you you’re “supposed” to have one…

But if you’ve been hanging out with me for a while, you know what I think about “shoulds” and “supposed tos.”  And where they can stick it.

The only “supposed to” for your wedding is one that YOU determine.

I predict we’ll see a wedding trend appear in 2009 as more brides skip the cake altogether.

What if you set up an impressive dessert buffet so that guests could help themselves?  You can buy delicious cookies and pastries from your favorite bakery…without the “wedding” markup.  Guests who aren’t interested can skip it; those who are can gorge themselves…and you can save a bundle.

Another idea: if you have bakers in the family, what if you had Mom bake her famous brownie recipe and serve it with ice cream?  Or Aunt Alda’s family chocolate chip cookie recipe?

Your dessert not only saves you money, it stands out as a way to make your wedding unique and personal.

Believe me, so long as their sweet tooth is satisfied, your guests will not complain.  Okay, maybe the old biddies will complain, but they don’t have teeth anyway.

If your dream wedding includes a wedding cake, by all means have one.  But I encourage you to get creative and consider this and other ways to save by daring to be “non-traditional.”

Think I’m crazy?  What do you think about skipping the cake?