In today’s economy brides are becoming more and more budget conscious.  So how are these super savers putting the “green” back in their wallets?

Here are some great wedding planning tips to help you cut costs, but still have the wedding of your dreams.

First you should sit down and figure out what components are most important you as a couple.  Start with your top four, and work from there.  You may find cutting certain corners is easier than you thought.  For example, if food is more important to you than flowers, then that should reflect in your wedding, as well as your budget.

Next you should create and set a budget, then stick to it!  You’ll be surprised how quickly things start to add up, so it’s important to know where your money is being spent, and when/where to cut corners.

Try booking a venue in November or December for the following year to try and lock in current rates before they go up.  Also booking a wedding during off-seasons, mid-winter or early spring, or booking on a Friday or Sunday can be a great way to save big.

If you have to book on a Saturday consider a morning ceremony followed by a brunch reception, a 2 p.m. ceremony followed by hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, or a late night dessert only reception.  These can help you save not only on venue costs, but on catering costs as well.

Consider non-traditional venues versus a hotel ballroom, such as museums, lighthouses, mansions, or botanical gardens.  Make sure to check into a few things before you decide, like whether or not they have held weddings there before, and if you would have to rent tables, chairs, and linens.  Having to rent all the extras can make an outdoor wedding just as expensive as an indoor one.

When it comes to invitations and save-the-dates here are a few cost cutting tips to keep your budget under control.

Engraved invitations look great but can be expensive, so try thermography instead.  You still get that raised-letter look, but the process is more affordable, and they look almost identical, so no one will know the difference.

Using and invitation/response card combo can save you some “green” in a few ways.  Because both are printed on one card, you don’t pay for the extra paper and printing if the card was separate, the invitations weigh less, and when the response card is detached by perforated edge, it’s functions as a postcard, so you can buy postcard stamps instead of regular postage.

Save-the-dates can be sent electronically or printed at home.  Here’s a cute idea, print a photo of the two of you on cardstock and have the save-the-date information on the back.

Seating cards are usually shoved into pockets or thrown in the trash, so spending lots of money on these just doesn’t make sense.  Many craft stores sell kits so you can print your own at home, and the computer printed calligraphy looks just as nice.

You could opt to display seating charts instead of seating cards.  They can be placed in decorative frames for an elegant look, or written on chalkboards for a whimsical spin.

Music can be a big chunk of your budget.  Here are a few options to consider while deciding on entertainment.

If you are having the ceremony and reception at the same location consider hiring one band to play during both.  Have two or three members play during the ceremony, and pay those musicians on an overtime basis (which is less than full rate), then have the whole band play during the reception and pay the entire band full rate during that time.

When booking a band try to get one that has a lead singer who also plays an instrument, the more people, the more money.  If you like a band that has a lead singer that doesn’t play in the band, make sure there is only one singer, you don’t need the back-ups, and again more people adds costs.

For the ceremony contact your local colleges or high schools, and ask about their band programs.  Many have very talented musicians that will play beautifully but for a fraction of the price.

With technology advancement comes a beautiful thing called the IPOD.  Some people are choosing to upload their own playlists and play them during the reception.  This can be great in many ways, it will be a fun thing to do with your soon-to-be, you ensure only the music you like will be played, and you’ll save money on a band or a DJ.  If you choose this option be sure to check with your venue to see if their sound system is compatible.  Also be sure to assign a friend or family member to be the DJ for make sure the music is played continuously, and the correct songs are played during the specific first dances.

Food and beverages are not something to skimp on, but there are a few ways to keep your costs down.

Passed hors d’oeuvres can be less expensive than a buffet style cocktail hour.

Remember I was saying having a brunch reception could save on catering costs?  Well here’s how.  The food served during daytime receptions is typically lighter, and in smaller portions, since people tend to eat and drink less.  Serving bloody marys  and mimosas is a great alternative to a full bar.

Since seafood can be expensive consider serving chicken or pasta dishes.  Pasta dishes also work as a vegetarian alternative.  If you are a seafood lover, talk to the chef about what seasonal and local fish are available.  Anything being flown in is going to cost a pretty penny.

For the bar serve one or two signature drinks in addition to wine and beer, instead of a full bar.  If your venue allows purchase your own wine and liquor, but keep in mind of corkage fees. Some can be around $3 per guest or as much as $15 per bottle!

Here are some tips for saving on your wedding cake.  Have a smaller traditional cake for display, and have a sheet cake in the back to serve to guests.  It will taste the same and no one will be the wiser.

The more elaborate the design, the more expensive the cake.  Buttercream frosting is less expensive than fondant.  Sugar flowers look beautiful, but also increases the price, so consider real blooms, or a cute cake topper instead.

Cupcakes are another popular alternative to the traditional cake.  Although there is no cake cutting fee, be sure to ask if there will be a charge for the use of plates and for the dishwashing.  If they do, double the cupcakes purpose and use them as edible favors that guests can help themselves to.   

Not a cake person?  Consider a dessert table with cookies, chocolate dipped strawberries, petit fours, or individual jars of candy.  Again these can double as your favors.I say the best favors are the ones that don’t go to waste.  Also most of these you can make yourself, or buy in bulk.

Having edible favors also saves you money on a possible wrapping fee for slices of cake.  Some venues can charge $1-$2 per slice, even if you provide the boxes.

There are lots of ways to lower your costs on flowers without it showing on your wedding day.

For the ceremony instead of separate arrangements use potted plants like hydrangea or azaleas.  They will fill up the space and look beautiful, and they come in different colors.

Transport the flowers from the ceremony to use at the reception, but see if you can borrow a vehicle to transport them yourself rather than pay an extra fee to the florist.

Buying your own vases instead of buying them from the florist can save you more money.  As well as purchasing items such as candles, votives, and ornaments at after holiday sales.

If you are having a holiday wedding, Christmas or New Years, your church is most likely already decorated, so you can forego the flowers.

Using rectangular tables instead of circular ones, seats more guests, and uses fewer centerpieces.  Alternate large and small centerpieces at every other table.  Reuse your bridesmaid bouquets to decorate the head, card and cake tables.  Make unique centerpieces using fruit, ornaments, candles, seashells, or water elements.

Nosegays are small but elegant, and less expensive than larger bouquets for the bridesmaids.  Have the bridesmaids carry single blooms such as call lilies, or gerber daisies.

Use larger blooms like dahlias, anemones, parrot tulips, and hydrandea, since you won’t need as many.  Use more greenery, and full blooming flowers instead of buds that aren’t quite open.  Use in season flowers. 

If you like some more expensive blooms use the larger, fuller blooms for the bottom of the bouquet, and place the more expensive ones at the top or sparingly throughout.  For example, cymbidium orchids are popular, and gorgeous, but pricey, but one stem can be cut into three separate flowers, that can then be placed throughout the bouquet, or centerpiece.

Dried lavender can be used as an alternative to rose petals, while your flower girl goes down the aisle.

Try doing some of the flowers yourself, like the bouquets or boutonnieres.  You can practice with artificial flowers, or decide to use silk flowers for the wedding in lieu of real ones.

Finally brides, money saving tips on buying that dream dress.  Consider purchasing the sample gown from a bridal salon, or look for specialty boutiques that sell sample wedding gowns.  Bring in pictures, if you found a dress you loved but can’t fit it in your budget, most places should be able to help you find something similar, but won’t break the bank.  If you are looking for something simple, with clean lines, or a flowy destination dress, consider a bridesmaid dress.  Most styles will come in a white or ivory but will cost a lot less.  Here is a link to website that specializes in sample wedding gowns.  www.bridalstockexchange.com

Hope all of these tips are helpful, and make the planning process a little bit easier.  Remember to have fun and enjoy your engagement! 

What could be sweeter than personalizing your wedding cake and letting your imagination soar?

The skies the limit for that shows stopping big day dessert! 

Refreshing ideas of old meets new come to life while bringing in fabric motifs of your gown or details from your grooms formal shirt.  Layers after layers look crisp and elegant when done in fondant and gum paste.

Why not be inspired by marbleized papers for a colorful vintage design.  Patterning can be done using colored white chocolate using chocolate transfer sheets that are applied over butter cream frosting. 

Flowers still set the theme for perfect cake toppers.  Be inspired with a cascade of sugar blooms made from sugar paste that looks fresh enough to eat.  Add a touch of fondant ribbons or lace for an old fashion feel. 

Glamour is back using colorful patterning, textures, and stencils and even wallpapers motifs. 

Think treat, think delectable, think inspiration on the inside.  You want your cake to resemble a scrumptious dessert that will be talked about not thrown out.  Layers of moist-chocolate ganache, white chocolate butter cream, chocolate raspberry truffle are just a few to make any guests mouth water. 

How to choose a Happy bridesmaid party:

 For some it is easy!  The bride can ask thier sisters, a few best friends and that is it. But, others tgo through an excruciatingly long list of future sister in laws and friends, fiancee’s friends and end up having twelve bridesmaids.  A wedding is stressful enough without herding twelve attendants. 

Here’s How To Make It Easy:

1.  Make your bridesmaids managable.  Don’t pick an army.  It will be crazy trying to get everyone together at the same time and make everyone happy. 

2.  Don’t choose someone that has been in more than 3 weddings.  You want your bridesmaids to be happy right?  Bridesmaids that have been in more than 3 can attest that it expends alot of time not to mention money. 

3.  The Keep It Simple Rule Applies:  If your wedding is small, you don’t need so many attendants.  You don’t want to ask your six best friends to be bridesmaids and then have a small garden affair.  So, go with the flow and theme of your wedding.

4. The best rule of thumb is to pick your bridesmaids that you know and have a good bond with.  Choose your friends that are flexible and will be happy doing what you want.  Remember it is your day, not your bridesmaids!

Set Expectations:

Once you select your maids, tell them what you expect when it comes to the ceremony, their obligations and make them clear, what gown they will be wearing, what roles they will be playing etc.  Don’t let the bridesmaids have to much say as they will take over.  The more opinions the more confusing the bride will be. 

 Some guiding traditions on bridesmaid duties are very few.  Limit thier role and make it easy.  Brides might love taking the bridesmaids out to shop for the wedding gown, but, that can be a mistake.  Every bridesmaid will have thier own opinion and will make it harder for the bride to find the dress of HER DREAMS.

The last rule:  It REALLY is YOUR WEDDING. 

  Now, It is time for you to go shopping.  Go shopping with the people you get along with most or know your style.  Mom doesn’t always know best and if you don’t have the same tastes shopping can be disasterous.  Don’t bring an entourage either go with one or two guests.  Most brides can find the perfect dress the first time they go shopping.  You do not have to shop from salon to salon to find the perfect dress.  If you go to a salon with a good selection you should be able to find the dress.   Search salons and go to one with a good reputation and has sales constultants to help you.  A sales consultant should guide you and make suggestions based on your body style, and vision of your dream gown.   Be open minded to the sales consultants they see many brides and have a good idea on what to show you.  Talk to them about your wedding day, if there is a theme, or specific colors, maybe it is a beach wedding or garden style.  This will help find a dress that is appropriate for the setting as well.

Once you find one that makes you feel good, making a decision can be difficult.  Don’t let your guest talk you out of buying a dress that you love.  It might not be there when you return.  Also, if you built up a repore with the sales consultant they will make sure you have a good experience.  Remember going from place to place can be tiring, time restricting, and confusing.  The more you see the more confusing it can be.  Go with your gut feelings and if you have fallen in love with the dress then buy it. 

  You will feel releived once making the decision because there are so many other details you will have to decide on.  Your dress sets the tone of the wedding so everything else can fall into place now.  Bridesmaids can be chosen, flowers, etc. 

  Just remember to have fun.  When shopping for your dress gets stressful, stepback and think for a bit.  This is a celebration!  Enjoy the moment! 

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Please go to www.thebridesmaidparty.com to learn how to donate your once worn bridesmaid dress.