So excited about this, I am crossposting from my wedding blog. Now if only there was more time to make it all!!!
43 DIY Wedding Projects For The Budget Bride
Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
Monday, June 21, 2010
43 DIY Wedding Projects For The Budget Bride
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Two wonderful sites for DIY Brides on a Budget!
And
We just got our mason jars in the mail that I am going to paint aqua for vintage-inspired centerpieces... Three didn't make it, but I wrote the company...
Also, Costo has wedding flowers in bulk discount.
I was just looking at ACC's flower arranging classes. I've been thinking about it, ever since seeing a florist shop for sale for $34k on Craigslist recently. My best friend and I talked about being florists in high school! And the wedding industry's such a racket... I kind of want to be on the other side of it!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Geez.
This is effin' nuts.
| Ka-ching! Wedding price tag nears $30K | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Survey: Bridal spending tops $125 billion; parents less likely to foot ballooning bill. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A total of $125 billion -- about the size of Ireland's GDP -- will be spent on 2.1 million weddings in 2005, according to the "American Weddings" study conducted by The Fairchild Bridal Group. Fairchild surveyed more than 1,000 brides. Tying the knot used to involve a trip to the altar and a simple reception, but low-cost affairs are increasingly a thing of the past as brides and grooms flex their consumer power and buck tradition. The average price tag that is fast approaching $30,000 represents a 73 percent increase during the past 15 years, according the study. "The bridal industry is now a life stage that encompasses fashion, travel, home furnishings and more," Daniel Lagani, vice president and publisher of the Fairchild Bridal Group, said. Furthermore, brides and grooms -- who on average range between the ages of 27 and 29 -- are older than their counterparts were 15 years ago. As more experienced, sophisticated consumers, they know what they want and are willing to stretch their budget to get it. Nearly half of all couples will end up spending more than they originally budgeted. But customizing a wedding to meet individual tastes doesn't always mean breaking the bank, the survey found. For example, about 9 percent of couples will hold a "destination wedding," which involves the entire party traveling to a special location for the celebration. These couples spend on average 41 percent less on their receptions than those who have an average wedding, according to the survey. When the party's over, someone has to pay the bill -- and with age, comes greater responsibility. This year only a quarter of brides will count on mom and dad to pick up the tab. Instead, nearly one-third of brides and grooms will forgo tradition and foot the entire bill themselves. Marriage and money -- How do you talk to your partner about finances? Click here to read more. Click here to read about one couple's dream wedding.  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday, February 4, 2010
50 Ways to Save $$ on Your Wedding
1. Have a small, beautifully decorated cake to cut into, take pictures, etc. Serve your guests slices from a plain sheet cake served from the kitchen. They will never know it didn’t come from the fancy cake.
2. If you are inviting children to the wedding, make sure the caterer has a separate children’s menu. The kids will be thrilled with chicken fingers, fries, and ice cream and it will be much less expensive.
3. Include the reception information on the invitation. Then, you don’t have to have a separate reception card.
4. Rent a luxury car for transport to the reception, airport, etc. instead of a limo. The best man can serve as your chauffeur.
5. Purchase blank invitations and print them on a laser printer. Invitation kits can be found on the True Blue Bridal Invitation page.
6. Design and print your own wedding program.
7. Carry a family Bible instead of a bouquet. This is an old Puritan tradition that you can honor.
8. Make your own pew bows with silk flowers and tulle.
9. Buy an informal dress. Try a bridesmaid dress or prom dress. If you want a train, consider making your own, it would cost around $30. If you can buy a dress off the rack you will save big bucks!
10. Ask a family members or friends to cook the meal and be in charge of setting up the dinner buffet.
11. Ask one of your more gregarious friends to serve as the DJ. It’s not that tough to run a CD changer for dancing. You can burn your own CD that someone can put into the sound system and you're good for the evening!
12. Ask a family member or friend with talent and equipment to photograph and/or videograph your wedding.
13. Ask someone who enjoys baking to make the sheet cakes as mentioned in Tip #1.
14. Make your own silk flower arrangements. If you have someone that you know that does good work, ask them to help you. Most craft supply stores offer free floral arranging classes.
15. If you have your heart set on an expensive invitation, select a coordinating reception card, RSVP card & envelopes from a less expensive line of stationery. For very stylish and reasonably priced thank you notes, click here.
16. Use a non-traditional reception site. ie a historic location in your area, a park or public grounds, beach, restaurant, zoo, museum, or a family or friend’s home. Get creative and consider the activities you enjoy doing and try to incorporate them into your special day.
17. If you want Hershey bar candy favors, buy the candy at a discount store and make your own labels in Word using picture boxes and word art.
18. For reception table centerpieces, buy roses as your local discount store (usually around $10/dozen), tie a ribbon with your guests names on each stem, and put them in a simple glass vase. At the end of the festivities, each guest can take home their rose.
19. Have your attendants wear a simple black dress that they probably already own or can easily borrow.
20. Have a wedding during the Christmas season; the church is already beautifully decorated with poinsettias and tree.
21. Have a champagne dessert or gourmet coffee and dessert reception.
22. Use the same florist as the church uses for alter flowers. She can coordinate the alter flowers for the weekend with your wedding flowers.
23. Use RSVP postcards. A postcard requires far less postage.
24. When making your guest list, use the following rule: Invite only those whom you have seen in their home or yours in the past year. You can make exceptions for family but this will help you separate the work friends from the real friends.
25. Set a budget for the wedding and allow the couple to keep what they don’t spend.
26. Get price quotes from the reception site/caterer you want to use. With a budget, that will help you know how many guests you can afford. If your guest list is larger than you can afford, trim your list or select a less expensive reception site.
27. Make an “A list” and “B list” of wedding guests. When you receive regrets from someone on the “A list”, send out a “B list” invitation.
28. Many churches and hotels have a wedding coordinator on staff. They can often take care of the cake, food, beverages, etc. thus avoiding the need to have a wedding planner.
29. Hire the best photographer you can afford and purchase the smallest package he/she offers. Don’t get sucked in to the “big fat wedding album” myth. Really, as time goes by, all that is important is a picture of you and your beloved in your wedding clothes and a group shot of your wedding party and parents.
30. Negotiate with the photographer for the best deal you can get. The profit margin is huge and he can afford to give you a break. Also, negotiate for the negatives. Most photographers will give them to you after a certain amount of time has passed.
31. Don’t order any extra photos until a year has passed. At that point if you still want them…go for it!
32. If you have a photography school at your local college or university, talk to the professor and get a recommendation for an upperclassmen to take your wedding photos. They can often use it for a final project and will be happy to do it for expenses.
33. If you want to give your guests favors, consider giving one favor per family instead of one per place setting. You can usually get a more elegant favor and spend less money with this strategy.
34. The Federal Housing Authority began offering a bridal registry in 1996. Couples can open an interest-bearing account at one of 30 participating lenders. Your guests can make a deposit into your home down payment account! A search of FHA Bridal Registry on your internet provider will bring up the different options for you to choose from.
35. Have a morning wedding. Prices for catering etc. are cheaper at that time of day. As an added bonus your liquor bill will be greatly reduced if you choose to serve alcoholic beverages at all in the morning.
36. Think twice about a wedding on a Saturday in June. That is when prices are at their highest.
37. Consider having an expensive wedding and an inexpensive honeymoon, or vice versa. Don’t splurge on both!
38. Make the most of your gift registries. Instead of asking for luxuries, ask for things you need and will use regularly.
39. Buy supplies in bulk at your local discounter.
40. If you were high school sweethearts, consider having your reception in the school cafeteria.
41. Have a dessert table instead of a fancy cake.
42. Hire a square dance caller instead of a DJ. A good square dance caller can teach the steps and get everyone involved and having fun!
43. Get creative, instead of a traditional wedding, think outside the box, think memorable, think fun. For example a cookout in a barn with a square dance caller is a whole lot cheaper than a fancy sit down banquet in the local 5 star hotel. And, it would probably be more fun for everyone!
44. Don’t offer alcoholic beverages. Choose to serve sparkling cider for the toast with plenty of tea and coffee.
45. Where the guest list is concerned, think less is more. Honor close family and friends with an invitation. The best way to cut costs for your wedding is to control the guest list.
46. Consider renting your wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses. After all, you are going to wear it just once.
47. Borrow a wedding gown from a family member or friend. They will be honored that you asked.
48. Candles add a lot of pizzazz for a low cost. Use them wherever possible in place of flowers.
49. Have a late evening wedding and make it clear that the reception is a champagne dessert.
50. Once you have established your budget, decide what elements of the wedding day are most important to you and splurge there. Let the rest slide!
2. If you are inviting children to the wedding, make sure the caterer has a separate children’s menu. The kids will be thrilled with chicken fingers, fries, and ice cream and it will be much less expensive.
3. Include the reception information on the invitation. Then, you don’t have to have a separate reception card.
4. Rent a luxury car for transport to the reception, airport, etc. instead of a limo. The best man can serve as your chauffeur.
5. Purchase blank invitations and print them on a laser printer. Invitation kits can be found on the True Blue Bridal Invitation page.
6. Design and print your own wedding program.
7. Carry a family Bible instead of a bouquet. This is an old Puritan tradition that you can honor.
8. Make your own pew bows with silk flowers and tulle.
9. Buy an informal dress. Try a bridesmaid dress or prom dress. If you want a train, consider making your own, it would cost around $30. If you can buy a dress off the rack you will save big bucks!
10. Ask a family members or friends to cook the meal and be in charge of setting up the dinner buffet.
11. Ask one of your more gregarious friends to serve as the DJ. It’s not that tough to run a CD changer for dancing. You can burn your own CD that someone can put into the sound system and you're good for the evening!
12. Ask a family member or friend with talent and equipment to photograph and/or videograph your wedding.
13. Ask someone who enjoys baking to make the sheet cakes as mentioned in Tip #1.
14. Make your own silk flower arrangements. If you have someone that you know that does good work, ask them to help you. Most craft supply stores offer free floral arranging classes.
15. If you have your heart set on an expensive invitation, select a coordinating reception card, RSVP card & envelopes from a less expensive line of stationery. For very stylish and reasonably priced thank you notes, click here.
16. Use a non-traditional reception site. ie a historic location in your area, a park or public grounds, beach, restaurant, zoo, museum, or a family or friend’s home. Get creative and consider the activities you enjoy doing and try to incorporate them into your special day.
17. If you want Hershey bar candy favors, buy the candy at a discount store and make your own labels in Word using picture boxes and word art.
18. For reception table centerpieces, buy roses as your local discount store (usually around $10/dozen), tie a ribbon with your guests names on each stem, and put them in a simple glass vase. At the end of the festivities, each guest can take home their rose.
19. Have your attendants wear a simple black dress that they probably already own or can easily borrow.
20. Have a wedding during the Christmas season; the church is already beautifully decorated with poinsettias and tree.
21. Have a champagne dessert or gourmet coffee and dessert reception.
22. Use the same florist as the church uses for alter flowers. She can coordinate the alter flowers for the weekend with your wedding flowers.
23. Use RSVP postcards. A postcard requires far less postage.
24. When making your guest list, use the following rule: Invite only those whom you have seen in their home or yours in the past year. You can make exceptions for family but this will help you separate the work friends from the real friends.
25. Set a budget for the wedding and allow the couple to keep what they don’t spend.
26. Get price quotes from the reception site/caterer you want to use. With a budget, that will help you know how many guests you can afford. If your guest list is larger than you can afford, trim your list or select a less expensive reception site.
27. Make an “A list” and “B list” of wedding guests. When you receive regrets from someone on the “A list”, send out a “B list” invitation.
28. Many churches and hotels have a wedding coordinator on staff. They can often take care of the cake, food, beverages, etc. thus avoiding the need to have a wedding planner.
29. Hire the best photographer you can afford and purchase the smallest package he/she offers. Don’t get sucked in to the “big fat wedding album” myth. Really, as time goes by, all that is important is a picture of you and your beloved in your wedding clothes and a group shot of your wedding party and parents.
30. Negotiate with the photographer for the best deal you can get. The profit margin is huge and he can afford to give you a break. Also, negotiate for the negatives. Most photographers will give them to you after a certain amount of time has passed.
31. Don’t order any extra photos until a year has passed. At that point if you still want them…go for it!
32. If you have a photography school at your local college or university, talk to the professor and get a recommendation for an upperclassmen to take your wedding photos. They can often use it for a final project and will be happy to do it for expenses.
33. If you want to give your guests favors, consider giving one favor per family instead of one per place setting. You can usually get a more elegant favor and spend less money with this strategy.
34. The Federal Housing Authority began offering a bridal registry in 1996. Couples can open an interest-bearing account at one of 30 participating lenders. Your guests can make a deposit into your home down payment account! A search of FHA Bridal Registry on your internet provider will bring up the different options for you to choose from.
35. Have a morning wedding. Prices for catering etc. are cheaper at that time of day. As an added bonus your liquor bill will be greatly reduced if you choose to serve alcoholic beverages at all in the morning.
36. Think twice about a wedding on a Saturday in June. That is when prices are at their highest.
37. Consider having an expensive wedding and an inexpensive honeymoon, or vice versa. Don’t splurge on both!
38. Make the most of your gift registries. Instead of asking for luxuries, ask for things you need and will use regularly.
39. Buy supplies in bulk at your local discounter.
40. If you were high school sweethearts, consider having your reception in the school cafeteria.
41. Have a dessert table instead of a fancy cake.
42. Hire a square dance caller instead of a DJ. A good square dance caller can teach the steps and get everyone involved and having fun!
43. Get creative, instead of a traditional wedding, think outside the box, think memorable, think fun. For example a cookout in a barn with a square dance caller is a whole lot cheaper than a fancy sit down banquet in the local 5 star hotel. And, it would probably be more fun for everyone!
44. Don’t offer alcoholic beverages. Choose to serve sparkling cider for the toast with plenty of tea and coffee.
45. Where the guest list is concerned, think less is more. Honor close family and friends with an invitation. The best way to cut costs for your wedding is to control the guest list.
46. Consider renting your wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses. After all, you are going to wear it just once.
47. Borrow a wedding gown from a family member or friend. They will be honored that you asked.
48. Candles add a lot of pizzazz for a low cost. Use them wherever possible in place of flowers.
49. Have a late evening wedding and make it clear that the reception is a champagne dessert.
50. Once you have established your budget, decide what elements of the wedding day are most important to you and splurge there. Let the rest slide!
Wedding Negotiation and Getting the Best Deal - Project Wedding
Wedding Negotiation and Getting the Best Deal - Project Wedding
If you want your wedding budget to accommodate your expectations, you must tap into your hidden wedding negotiation skills! (expert advice)
Rawtography
When it comes to getting the best deal on venue reservations, reception flowers, and your favorite appetizers, it's important to learn a few things about negotiation. This is no time to hide in the shadows of wedding planning and shy away from a good ol' fashioned haggling down of a price. If you want your wedding budget to accommodate your expectations, you must tap into your hidden wedding negotiation skills. I know they're in there somewhere!Preparation is a Must
Before approaching any vendor, retailer, or company – you need to know what you want and how much you are willing to spend for it. This is where your wedding budget comes into play. In order to truly maximize your wedding negotiation, allow yourself a bit of breathing room by creating flexibility through slight over-estimation. You need to leave wriggle room.Once your budget has been set, you can then investigate potential products and services. Make sure to assess the market value for desired items, which will certainly help you comparison shop. In the end, knowledge is key and builds confidence that helps when it comes time for wedding negotiation.
Woo Suppliers
If possible, do your wedding negotiation in person rather than over the phone. Sometimes, it's hard to say 'no' to the twinkling eye of a blushing bride to be. Plus, this is the perfect time to make nice with the retailers and vendors. Try to establish a relationship. Call the manager by his or her first name. Compliment the store or services that you are interested in. When speaking, flash your pearly whites. With a little bit of respect, wedding negotiation can become a much easier task than expected.
Carefully Shape Your Language
Wedding negotiation is often shaped by the terminology you use, tone of voice, and language. For instance, don’t ask questions that open up the airwaves for a 'no' response. Leave the negative language at the door. Encourage 'yes' responses by asking questions, such as "can we work out some sort of deal on this?" Positive statements, such as "If the price is within my budget, I won't look at another store."Wedding Negotiation Tip
Keep in mind that wedding negotiation isn’t all about getting a cheaper price. Sometimes, you can sweeten your deals by asking for extras. Perhaps, you can persuade the caterer to grant you free delivery or perhaps you can receive a few freebies for buying ribbons, table decorations, and wedding favors in bulk.
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