Big Dreams, Small Budget - Inspiration Board #4

Just because you have envisioned your big day as an large extravigant event, doesn't mean you need to take out a loan to pay for it all. There are many ways to save and still wow everyone, including yourself! Why start you life together with a ton of debt if you don't have to?

Detail for each image clockwise from upper left.

Hydrangra Centerpiece - Simple cut flowers make a beautiful centerpiece. Depending on what flowers you choose, it can work from anything from and casual garden party to and elegant affair. Choosing large blossoms like hydrangeas means you only need a few. Being there is very little "arranging" to these arrangements, they will be much less expensive.

Dress - This dress is from David's Bridal and is currently on sale for $850 yet has a very high-end, designer look. It looks straight off a top designer's runway without the designer price tag.

Invitations - These are through Paper Source where you can get all you paper, envelopes, stamps, etc. for a great price. You can take them into a copy store or some you can even print off your home computer. Need help creating a custom design for you invitations? Email Jeffrey O'Connell. He can create beautiful custom invitations, save-the-dates, favor tags, escort cards, etc. All at a great price!

Lavendar Bridal Bouquet - This one I just fell in love with it! It is so simple you can do it yourself, yet so elegant. And can you just imagine the smell!

Potted Plants Centerpieces - These are, again, such a simple DIY project. Clay pots can be found anywhere. You can buy them in such an array of colors or patterns to fit your decor. Or why not buy plain clay pots and paint them yourself? Then you can fill the pots with any type of flowers that are in bloom. What's best about these is they could double as favors if you include enopugh per table. Or whatever pots your guest don't take, you can have in your garden at home to remember your wedding everyday!
For more info on these two photos click here.

Wedding Cake Alternatives - Who says you have to have cake? There are so many options now. Shown here are cupcakes and tiered puddings or mousse. Arrange sweets on tiered platters. Serve puddings or mousse in champange flutes. When opting out on the cake, remember, it is all about the presentation.

Shoes - These shoes are from Payless and were just $25! If you want something other than white, you can get them custom dyed for about $45!

Make sure to come back tomorrow for step-by-step instructions on a great DIY project!

High Price Look for Less

Why should you have to go deep into debt in order to have the perfect wedding? Unfortunately, not everyone is an A-List movie star with millions of dollars to blow on their wedding day. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a wedding worthy of a magazine cover.
• The Dress – You do not need a top designer wedding gown to look beautiful. Big designer names set the wedding trends for the season. However, those designs are then copied and reproduced in mass at much lower prices. Watch for sample sales or end of season sales. Forgo the expensive silk fabric and look for a polyester blends. They are much less expensive, easier to clean, and don’t wrinkle as much.
• Dresses for the Girls – Save your female attendants money as well by shopping for their dresses in department stores. Check out the sales after prom or the holidays.
• Flower Power – Make sure your flower choices are in seasons for your wedding. Most florists can get nearly any flower any time of year but it will cost you. Your florist should be able to suggest alternatives to your out of season favorites that will be just as beautiful and be able to give you the same, or at least similar, look for a lot less. This also goes with less expensive alternatives to high end flowers. Add in fillers to your bouquets and centerpieces. Lots of greenery, baby’s breath, and large bushy blossoms are great ways to fill space without emptying your wallet.
• Décor – Shop around. Buying from specialty stores always costs more. For vases or candles, check out the dollar store. For unique touches, check out discount stores like Ross, Marshalls, or my favorite, T.J. Maxx/Home Goods. Wal-Mart, Kmart, and Target are also great discount stores to check out. Shop online. Sure you have to pay for shipping but the internet has some great deals and you can often find things you can buy in bulk and wholesale prices. Ebay is amazing!
• You’re Invited – Make your own invitations. Craft stores like Michaels and JoAnn have invitation kits that you can customize and print with nearly any printer.
• Where? – Look for ceremony and reception sites that need little decorations. Having your ceremony in a lush and beautiful garden are usually fairly inexpensive to start with. They also provide all the décor for you. Why add lots of other fuss when the natural beauty of the gardens already takes your breath away?
• Drinks – See if your caterer will allow you to provide your own alcohol and other drinks. Stocking up on drinks from places like Beverages & More or Costco can save you a ton of money.
• Gifts – Nowadays, it seems like more and more couples are living together before the big day. If you are one of these couples, it is likely that you already have more than enough towels, dishes, and small appliances. Ask your guests to contribute to your honeymoon fund. There are websites, such as Travelers Joy where you can register for your honeymoon. Your guests can buy you one night stay at that villa in Venice or a romantic dinner for two at the restaurant overlooking the Caribbean shore. Websites like this make gifts a bit more personal than handing you a check.
• Make Money Off Your Wedding – Ok, I know this sounds crazy but there are tons of brides out there just like you who are trying to save money on their wedding. You can sell you wedding items after your wedding that you don’t need/want. Really, when are you ever going to use 15 vases and 150 tea light holders ever again? Sell the extras you bought and never used. Sometimes it is even cheaper to buy your tablecloths or other linens and then sell them when you are done than to rent them. Check out sites like Weddingbee or Craigslist.
• Hire a Wedding Planner - I know this may sound silly as a wedding planner could be pricey. However, most wedding planners, such as myself, can work within your budget and help make sure you plan within your means. A wedding planner can also help negociate better prices with your other vendors. They know the ins and outs of what works best and can take care of it all, saving you money and even more importantly, time. Time is valuable and this is time you could spend working and making more money!
Why break the bank if you don't have to? Need more help with planning your wedding and staying within your budget, shoot me an email!