Recent Articles
101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding - Part 9: Wedding Rings
January 4, 2009 by BellaB
101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding - Part 9: Wedding Rings
Wedding rings are symbols of “eternal love” that bride and groom give each other to represent their commitment to each other with a promise to love and cherish till death do they part. We do not know when this tradition started, but it is quite unusual to witness a wedding without the wedding ring ceremony. The wedding ring, therefore, is an important element in your wedding ceremony. The choice of which wedding ring to select is often made by the couple since they usually want a matching set. The costs range from very expensive rings that are made of platinum or gold embellished with diamonds and other precious stones to tattooed wedding ring. Part 9 of our 101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding gives ideas on saving money in choosing your wedding rings.
Saving Money Part 9: wedding Rings
67. Shop for your rings online – Purchasing rings online, from places like Completely Weddings Bridal Mall or Amazon
68. Opt for simpler rings – If you and your fiancé are on a tight budget, skip the giant diamonds. Get small, simple rings for each other. If you’re a girl who secretly longs for that perfect diamond, you can agree to get new, custom designed rings on your 1, 5, or 10 year anniversary when you may be more secure financially.
69. Use an heirloom – Many families have heirloom rings that they want to pass on. Your only expense may be resizing it.
101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding - Part 8: Hair and Makeup -
January 3, 2009 by BellaB
Part 8: Wedding Hair & Makeup
Part 8 of our 101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding is about cutting your bridal hair and make-up budget.
Bridal Hair & Makeup
64. Have a friend do hair and make up – Instead of hiring a professional to do your hair and make up, you can take a more DIY approach. Many people are often best at putting on their own makeup and know exactly how they like it. Or, if your wedding is in Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange or San Bernardino California county, take advantage of Bridal ‘N Beauty’s FREE professional bride’s makeup.
65. Go to a local cosmetology school – Consider getting your hair and makeup done at a cosmetology school instead of a licensed professional. These students are often just as good and will put extra effort into their work to impress their instructors.
101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding- Part 7: Attire
January 2, 2009 by BellaB
101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding- Part 7: Wedding Attire
You’ve seen and read my posts on wedding attire for brides and bridesmaids including the newest trends in wedding attire for 2009. The featured wedding attire are usually on the high dollar end. With the economy going the way it is, most engaged couples are looking for ways to cut down their wedding expenses. Today, Part 7 of our “101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding” focuses on Wedding Attire.
Part 7: Wedding Attire - Vintage
52. Wear an heirloom or vintage dress. Vintage wedding gowns are in for 2009. See if any of your female relatives have a wedding dress they want to pass down to you. Ask your fiancé to do the same. His mother or grandmother may be thrilled to see you in their gown, especially if he doesn’t have sisters.
53. Rent tux’s from the same bridal shop you got your dress from. Many bridal shops will offer a discount on the men’s tuxes if you rent them from their location.
54. Let them wear suits. Instead of tuxes, you can save money for your groom and groomsmen by letting them wear suits instead.
55. Casual groomsmen attire. If you are planing an outdoor wedding, especially, you have a lot of options for the men’s attire. Consider a colored button down shirt and black pants or khakis. Ties are optional.
56. DIY jewelry. You and your bridesmaids can make some of your jewelry yourselves. Buy the thread, beads, and clasps and get all the girls together to craft their own jewelry. This way you will match, while still allowing each girl to have their own personal touch.
57. Go barefoot. If you’re planning a beach wedding you can ditch the shoes altogether! Have the girls go barefoot or consider wearing barefoot sandals.
58. Get a tiara at the mall or online. Avoid bridal shops and fancy jewelry stores. You can rent these, too or find a great tiara at department stores or online at Bridal ‘N Beauty.
59. Rent a wedding dress. Why is it that it is perfectly all right for grooms to rent their tux, but renting wedding gowns are not so popular? You can save hundreds or even thousands by renting a wedding dress instead of buying one. If you live in California, here are several bridal stores that rent not only bridal gowns, but also bridesmaids gowns, flower girl gowns and much more: Los Angeles Area: One Night Affair; Modesto Area: Rental Bridal Gown; Sacramento Area: Alexandria’s Formal Gown Rental.
Your wedding dress can be a very sentimental item, so not everyone will want to go this route, but if you’re able to it’s a surefire way to save.
101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding - Part 6: Cakes
December 28, 2008 by BellaB
101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding
This next 5 ways (Saving Ways numbers 47 to 51) of saving money on planing for your wedding cake will leave you thankful that you cut down on this costs. Most brides, who spent a lot of money on their wedding cakes, list the price they paid for the cake as their number one “money waster” after their wedding is done. So, be forewarned 
Wedding Cakes
Sae on Your Wedding Cake
47. Skip the bakery. Any place that specializes only in wedding place is going to be expensive. Go to your local grocery store, culinary school, or even your favorite restaurant to negotiate a better deal.
48. Serve the entire cake. Saving the top layer of the cake is often considered a dead tradition. You can save a lot of money by serving your entire cake as dessert.
49. Use a fake cake. Instead of ordering an expensive wedding cake, why not opt for a “fake wedding cake”? These cakes are made of styrofoam and are beautifully decorated. They can stay on display all day long, even outdoors with no worries about bugs or humidity. They look so real, your guests won’t even have a clue it is fake.
50. Use cupcakes. Cupcakes for wedding cake are getting popular these days. They costs way less than the “wedding” cake and you can have them in different flavors that your guests can choose from.
51. Order extra sheet cake. If you want an elaborately decorated cake but can’t afford one big enough to feed everyone, go for a smaller cake on display, and have sheet cake in back for cutting and serving. If the icing matched, your guests will never know the difference.
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101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding - Part 5: Location and Time
December 27, 2008 by BellaB
101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding
Here are 6 ways (Saving Ways numbers 40 to 46) to save money on your wedding venue. Two things that stand out when you are researching for economical venue are the location of your ceremony and reception, as well as the date and time of your wedding.
Wedding Locations and Time
Wedding Location and Time
40. Book a block of hotel rooms. If you will have guests coming from far away to attend your wedding, find a hotel near your wedding that will negotiate a discounted rate for a block of rooms. Advise your family and friends to make their reservations there. If you and your new spouse stay there before or after the wedding this will not only save money for your guests, but for you as well.
41. Choose your day carefully. The most popular, and expensive, time to have your wedding is on a Saturday. Friday and Sunday will be cheaper, and Monday through Thursday is your best deal.
42. Avoid the peak season. The busiest wedding season is May through September. If you avoid these months, you can save a lot of money, and get better services for a lower price. There are also lots of great themes you can incorporate for an autumn or winter wedding!
43. Use the same location. Have your wedding and reception at the same location. This is often available in hotels and country clubs where you can have the wedding in their garden, and reception in a banquet facility. You can negotiate a great deal by having both in the same place, as well as saving your guests some travel.
