Weekly Savings Tip: February 8, 2010

Creative Ideas to Save on Your Wedding

Your wedding may be a year or more away but you're probably already aware that the big day can be expensive. Use the months leading up to the big day to budget and plan. Here are some tips to help ensure that money is the last thing on your mind
when you say "I do."

• Date: If you avoid planning your wedding on a Saturday, or during the months of June and August, vendors may be more accessible, and less expensive. Also keep in mind that brunch and lunch are less expensive than dinner.

• Spirits: Alcoholic beverages dramatically increase the cost of any event. One money saving idea would be to hold the wedding earlier in the day. Another option would be to only offer wine and champagne.

• Location: Consider free locations to host your wedding, such as your home, a friend's home or a park. Additionally, your church or synagogue will likely be less expensive than commercial venues. Having the freedom to choose your own caterer or bring your own beverages can also be a great cost saver.

• Decorations: When it comes to the flowers and decorations, keep it simple! Try your local farmer's market, where you can choose from a wide variety of flowers that are grown locally and in season. Also consider working with local florists' programs at technical colleges or high schools to make your wedding a final project for a student.

• Invitations: Discount warehouses or online stationery stores may be an inexpensive option, since you generally get the same quality in exchange for a smaller selection. Or try getting a simple printed card and adding your own creative details.

Remember that the wedding only marks the beginning of a partnership that extends to your finances! Read more financial tips on Couples & Marriage.

Visit www.FeedthePig.org for more money-saving tips.

Invitation Envy

Upon arriving home yesterday, I was met at the mailbox with one of the most gorgeous paper creations I have ever had the pleasure of touching.

Apparently, my old major professor's son is getting married. I was completely honored to have been invited as I graduated from his laboratory 3 years ago. I must have left my mark :)

The groom is Jewish and the bride is Indian; so this will be a merging of hearts, lives and cultures. From the invitation, I'm expecting a platinum wedding...

So, for the first time...

...in this planning process - I feel like a bride-to-be. Before now, I guess I was just kinda going through the motions. So many things had overwhelmed me that I wasn't even enjoying the planning process. Thanks to the encouragement of many BABs (Brown and Bridal), I have really embraced the philosophy of K.I.M. Keep. It. Moving.

Most recently, we went to Macon, Georgia to tie some loose ends for the wedding, take e-pics and Trash the Dress pics. We were able to settle on our baker, coordinator, set-up of the reception hall, decor for the church, linen rental, make-up trials (I know I have alot of pics to share), transportation, and two photo shoots - all in 4 days.I'm so happy that everything is coming together, and I'm learning not to let little things worry me.

It appears as if we will have several phantom guests - people that we aren't inviting, but plan to come anyway. I've decided that if they show, they show. The coordinator and ushers will have a list at the door of RSVP'ed guests. Those that are not on the list will not be seated or served until we have accomodated those that are.

We were also able to sit down with our officiant this time. Turns out he thought he had communicated that he wouldn't be officially licensed by our date. We were able to talk with an Uncle (licensed officiant) and he has agreed that he will assist with the ceremony and sign the marriage license to ensure that all is legal.We were able to fulfill the marriage license requirements while we were there, and the clerk was willing to allow us to apply early. I thought that was peachy!

We also paid a visit to the Visitor's Center to pick up brochures for our OOT bags. Speaking of OOT, we visited and decided on the hotel where we would block off rooms for our guests. We opted for nice accomodations - without the high end price tag.

Because we were trying to keep all events near the hotel and church, we also visited a new brunch spot in the vicinity. We plan to invite our guests to join us for a dutch treat meal of our first breakfast as husband and wife.

The pics. We took our e-pics (which our photographer has not cared to upload yet - he's all about TTD) Sunday morning around historical downtown Macon. We shot from approximately 8:30 AM to about noon. We broke to grab a quick bite, taste cakes, and outline the ceremony. At 3 PM, we reconvened for the TTD session. This lasted until around 8 PM. I know that it's extremely unconventional to take the pictures before the wedding. We were, however, presented with an offer that (we thought) we couldn't refuse. Our photographer and DJ work together. The e-pics were included because we also booked DJ services. The TTD was included because he wanted to expand his portfolio. We also have our photographer ( and assistant) from getting dressed until the party is over.

Now, I didn't use my wedding dress (or any facsimile of it) for the pics. The dress you see pictured is actually a prom dress from Ebay (eBay Store - jh-promdress:) for approximately $30. I was extremely pleased with the quality of the garment. Because the seller made a small booboo, they upgraded my shipping to UPS to ensure that I would have it in time. The veil used was actually a free gift for another purchase that I made, so I had no issues with using that. I'm planning to wear a birdcage with a fabulous fascinator on our big day. My shoes were a Wal-Mart special - water shoes. You didn't think I would actually walk barefoot in a creek, did you?

Now, for your viewing pleasure, here's a teaser...