Ways to Save Money on your Wedding- Part 1

When I say 'save money on your wedding' I am instantly transformed to the part of Father of the Bride where Steve Martin finds his onscreen daughter asleep on the couch gripping a bridal magazine article about having a budget wedding. The tacky suggestions of having a friend bake a cake and another take pictures softened the heart of miserly Mr. Banks. Soon Annie was on her way to the outlandishly expensive wedding planner and his money started to fly.

I am living proof that you can have that fairy tale wedding without going into debt. My husband and I made a list of our priorities. We quickly decided that the money would be spent on what was most important to us. Food was our number one priority and we went all out. But there are hundreds of ways to save on the catering bill. Eliminating little things add up. Don't be afraid to ask for discounts or less expensive alternatives. If you don't ask, you'll never know. Never assume that a buffet will be less expensive than a sit down dinner. This is a huge wedding fallacy. It all depends on what food is served. If you have your heart set on having a sit down dinner, you can make it happen. It will simply take some creativity on the caterers part.

Decor: Here is where I saved a ton of money. I DIY all of my wedding decor. I handmade the silk centerpieces, pomander balls, placecard table arrangement, flower girl baskets, table number stands, sweetheart table cascading arrangement, wish bowl, and arbor swag. I had two initial appointments with my florist. At my first meeting I showed her pictures of the types of flowers I wanted in my centerpieces and bouquets. After receiving an estimate of $ 95-135 per centerpiece, she did not think she would see me again. Two months later, I arrived for my second appointment with a silk centerpiece I had made for less than $40. I had cut my floral bill in half and was able to have the more expensive, rare stems I desired in my bouquets. Additionally, the items can now be sold and I can recoup some money.

For table numbers I just happened upon these black iron gate photo frames that matched the venue's wine cellar iron gates perfectly. I found a book of Tuscany at a closeout store, cut the pictures from the book, and added a stenciled number to the book picture. Total price of project for 20 table frames less than $ 100.

I dislike those cheesy white silk flower girl baskets and refused to buy any. Instead I found beautiful tan wicker baskets at Pat Catans with an ivory cloth lining for $ 2.00 a piece. I hot glued some floral accents to the front and for less than $ 10 I had two one of a kind gorgeous flower girl baskets.

Paper Products:
Just like Sandra Lee has her Semi-homemade meals, I have my semi-homemade wedding paper projects. My wedding programs came from a kit I found at a super discount store called Marc's. (2.99 for 50 kit) I used Microsoft Publisher to create my program and printed it out at the local Kinkos. Since my entire first page was a shade of burgandy which took a TON of ink, so it was a bargain at 1.00 per program.

I purchased several of the Anna Griffin items at Michaels with the infamous 40% off coupon. I used the simple ivory Menu cards and the green floral accented place cards. Target also sells a similiar coordinating line from Anna Griffin. I purchased matching Thank you notes, 4.99 for 50.

I chose not to DIY my invitiations but searched the internet for the best price and discount. I ulimately found a 40% off Carlson Craft coupon that significantly discounted my invitation order. Never ever buy from a Hallmark or other card store. You can find any invitation online at a much better price.

Attire: Since 3 of 4 of my bridesmaids were married with two small children, I did not want to burden them with an expensive gown. I found an Impressions gown that I just loved and sought to find the lowest price. MB Bride, where I purchased my bridal gown, agreed to match the price I was quoted by Netbride.com. This was an easy task that saved my bridesmaids more than $ 50 a piece. If your BM gowns are long, please don't make them where the same shoes. Give them the option to wear any black shoe they feel comfortable in. No one wants to buy a pair of shoes they don't like, are not comfortable, and will not match anything else in their wardrobes.

You told me so!

I received the best wedding gift in the mail today. It was a CD of precious moments taken on the wedding day by my friend Melinda and her husband Craig. It allowed me to see what my guests saw and hear what my guests heard. I chuckle because the lovely string quartet hit some incredibly sour notes throughout the processional. One month ago, the thought of this would have devastated me. I would have been wrapped up in a ball in my bed, crying my eyes out, and proclaiming the world being over because my wedding wasn't perfect. Think Bridezilla. Fortunately for me and my darling new husband, once we were married I reclaimed my sanity. My married friends tried to tell me. But I was stubborn and wouldn't listen. "You'll look back and laugh at everything that went wrong..." those wise wedded women tried to tell me. It cracks me up to think about how I nearly had a meltdown each time I had to make a decision for the wedding. "Oh no... my Mikasa favors have been discontinued!" I shrieked like World War III had just broken out. I fretted over the most ridiculous things: the texture of silk rose petals, the shade of burgundy used to tint the icing roses on my cake, and what shoes my bridesmaids wanted to wear under their gowns. So, I'll say it... I know you have all been waiting. You were right. None of it mattered. The day was 'perfect' because we got married not because I opted for the higher quality silk rose petals.

Is there life after....

For the past twenty months, I have spent endless hours perusing bridal magazines, reading bridal books, chatting on the knot, creating a wedding website, registrying, designing centerpieces, buying items, researching venues, calligraphing envelopes, writing thank yous, and making tens of thousands of minor decisions for one little day: October 12th. Well, it came... and went. It was perfect. The venue was stunning, the ceremony was heartfelt, my husband was incredibly sexy! and the party was extraordinary. The compliments started from the day I showed my friends and family my big ol' wedding planning binder and haven't slowed down. Most importantly I am married to my soulmate and we will forever face life challenges together as one. But here's my question... is there life after wedding planning???