25 Ways to Save Big Money on Your Wedding
As a wedding DJ on the Metro Detroit circuit, I've hosted my share of weddings in the last 20 years. From elegant historic ballrooms to rustic barns, I've seen that it's possible to create vivid memories just about anywhere. I've encountered many brides who were able to cut corners in little unseen ways without sacrificing style or elegance. Many of these tips come directly from my dealings with brides who pulled their dreams together on a tight budget.
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1. Did you know that Amazon has wedding dresses between $50 and $100?
There's nothing to lose! If it doesn't show up looking like the dress of your dreams, you can return it just as easily as any other Amazon product. Just print a return label and drop your unwanted package at any Kohls Department Store. If you prefer not to leave the house, Fed Ex will come right to your door. The moment the bar code is scanned, your funds will be returned to your Amazon account, and you can shop for another dress.
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2. Hire a photography student and save a fortune!
Behold the best overall professional camera recommended by Digital Camera World. Many photography serious students own high quality cameras just like this, which will save you more than $3,600. Most teachers would be happy to recommend someone for your wedding. Drop by a scheduled photography class at Schoolcraft Community College or search google for independent photography teachers with their own studios. The same goes for videography. If you'd like to film your event, visit the digital video arts program at Specs Howard and post fliers on the bulletin board. Many talented students already own professional equipment, and they'll be eternally grateful for the opportunity to add your event to their resumes and portfolios.
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3. Get $100 off DJ Services from Starlight Productions
I normally charge $600 for weddings, but if you share this ad to your news feed, I'll knock $100 off your bill.
4. Visit local pawn shops to look at necklaces, tiaras and engagement rings
In most cases, it’s impossible to tell a new piece from a used one. You might even find a unique piece that's totally unavailable on the mass market. Back when I got married, marquise cut diamonds with round accent gems were very popular. A few of my friends ended up with very similar wedding rings because we all shopped at the same corporate jewelry stores. Worse yet, I noticed two young cashiers wearing my exact ring--one at the bank and the other at the grocery store.That's not good!
5. Buy a sheet cake at the grocery store and decorate with fresh fruit and flowers
Check out the beautiful collection of sheet cakes at Walmart! Your main cake can be a small prop. Your guests will never know that most pieces have been served from the sheet cake in the kitchen.
6. Find a beach or public park with pavilions for rent
Most modern pavilions have a power supply source, so you can still hire a DJ or small band. If you love to be really close to the water, talk to your local yacht club about renting outdoor space along the shore. The views from Belle Harbor are particularly breathtaking, and it's much cheaper to pitch a tent on the lawn than to rent the clubhouse. Downriver brides may also investigate the boating clubs on Grosse Ile.
7. Hire a catering truck to prepare a pig roast or taco buffet
There's no law that says all receptions must serve roast beef, chicken and mashed potatoes. You can save a small fortune by offering a pig roast or taco buffet.
8. Shop the dollar store for centerpiece building materials
9. Rent a hall at your local recreation center
Who says the venue has to be fancy? When you compare the prices at recreation centers to the prices at upscale wedding venues, your mouth will surely drop to the floor.
10. Make your own wedding arch with budget materials
Just wrap garland around a standard metal frame. Add flowers or lights if the spirit moves you!
11. Skip the church and hold your ceremony at the reception hall
Even if your venue doesn't have an elegant courtyard or in-house chapel, you can arrange a short ceremony in the reception room. You’ll skip the church rental fee, and your guests won’t have to drive from the church to the party.
12. Book a winter wedding!
Reception halls are in high demand between May and September. You can save as much as 40% by booking a hall between January and March. As crazy as it sounds, there are some supreme advantages to booking cold weather events. You won't have to worry about weak air conditioning or irritable guests on super hot days, and you'll never see bridesmaids walking around with sweat spots seeping through their gowns. Above all, you won't be competing with major sporting events and other special summertime activities that could draw guests away from your party.
13. Buy a pre-owned wedding gown at oncewed.com
Try websites such as preownedweddingdresses.com and oncewed.com, where you can find gently used dresses at a fraction of the price you would pay in a salon. You might even find a unique style or design that's not currently available on the mass market.
14. Cut the guest list!
Start by cutting children and coworkers. If you invite a few people from work, the rest will be offended if you don’t ask them to come. A lower head count translates to less money spent on food.
15. Cut the number of attendants in your wedding party
Fewer attendants means less money spent on bouquets, boutonnieres, presents and transportation.
16. Skip the limo and borrow a minivan
Use a rented or borrowed minivan to shuttle the wedding party to the reception. Most guests will never see you pull up to the venue, as they were scheduled to arrive long before you. Seriously, no one pays attention to the bride's arrival until she enters the reception hall where guests are waiting!
17. Look into Honeyfund.com
Instead of establishing a registry for gifts, ask guests to contribute to your honeymoon fund. You can register for your trip and break the expenses down into gift-sized increments.
18. Limit the open bar to beer and wine
Serve one specific cocktail or provide a large bowl of spiked punch. You’ll save up to $15 per person on your bar bill.
19. Substitute sparkling wine for champagne
No one will know the difference.
20. Eliminate the champagne toast
Half of your guests won’t touch the champagne, and many will only take a sip because it’s there.
21. Share your wedding invitations through email
Save a small fortune on paper, printing and stamps. Establish an event page on Facebook and release reminders a week before the event.
22. Create your own wedding invitations with desktop publishing software
On average, 100 engraved wedding invitations cost $500. With a box of elegant stationary, you could get the same job done for under $25.
23. Schedule your wedding on a Sunday
Reception halls cut their rates astronomically for Sunday events.
24. Replace your credit card with one that earns you miles
As you shop, you’ll be earning points toward your honeymoon trip. Compare mileage accrual programs at airlinecreditcards.com.
25. Have your vows administered by a trusted relative or friend
Universal Life Church (ulchq.com) and Esoteric Interfaith Church (northern way.org) are two organizations that “ordain” lay people so they can officiate weddings.
26. Cater your own wedding with the help of relatives
This is a great option for those who have extra loving aunts, uncles and cousins.
Check out this super easy recipe for cheesy hash brown casserole
http://www.vitamindrinkmix.com/cheesyhashbrowncasserolesausagebacon.html
Get your chicken from KFC
Get your meatballs from Costo, Sam's Club or Gordon's Food Service
Just drop those fully cooked meatballs into a large crock pot with a couple bricks of cream cheese and a few family sized cans of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup! For a delightful kick that sets your meatballs apart from the rest, stir in some Montreal Steak Seasoning. Depending on the number of guests, you may need to fill more than one crock pot with meatballs.
Check out this super easy recipe for butter garlic spinach potatoes
Just multiply the ingredients by six and prepare your potatoes in a large aluminum roasting pan instead of a small pot. http://www.vitamindrinkmix.com/porksteaksmushroomgravy.html
Check out this article for preparing extra large batches of chicken
http://www.vitamindrinkmix.com/chicken-breasts-for-20-people.html
Make stuffing with butter garlic salad croutons!
Your favorite stuffing recipe will be greatly enhanced if you start with premium, full flavor croutons.
Mix instant mashed potatoes with sour cream and parsley flakes
Sour cream adds distinct flavor and makes instant mashed potatoes taste like real potatoes! Prepare one 15 ounce box per 10 people. If you have 50 guests, prepare five boxes according to package directions. Add two cups of sour cream per box.