Want to create your dream wedding without breaking the bank? We asked 50 brides to share their best cost-cutting secrets—from crafty cocktail parties to a totally genius use for pashminas. Ready, set, save!
Buy, Don't Rent
"When I got a quote for more than $500 to rent linens, I went on Ebay and purchased what I needed for less than $250. And we're going to resell them after the honeymoon!" —Brittani P., Jacksonville, Fla.
Get Intimate
"For the rehearsal dinner, we threw a casual outdoor barbecue for just our families, the officiant, and the bridal party. Keeping it low-key and super-small meant we had more to spend on the wedding itself." —Shannon M., New York City
Shop at Home
"We're having a nautical wedding, so we're using a bunch of dé cor that we already own, like lanterns, seashells, driftwood, and model ships." —Mandy C., West Palm Beach, Fla.
Choose an Off-Day
"Having your wedding on a Friday night is so much cheaper than doing it on a Saturday." —Rachel P., New York City
Hire a Wedding Planner
"Yes, we paid extra at the outset, but our planner more than made up for it by helping us negotiate better deals. Plus, nothing curbs the urge to spend like running all your purchases by a professional." —Morgan M., Richmond, Va.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Wedding-Worthy One-Tier Cakes
A wedding cake doesn't have to be sky-high! A single-tier confection is ideal for couples having a small celebration or those who want a designer cake for a fraction of the cost. Which is a wonderful alternative if you are planning a dessert bar!
A Pink Flower-Adorned Wedding Cake with Wooden Figurines
The gorgeous pink rose on this sweet one-tier cake is festive, but it's the adorable wooden figurines on top that really make this a cake worth saying "I do" to.
A One-Tier Wedding Cake with A Tall Flower Topper
The tall flower topper on this Maggie Austin Cake cake adds height and drama to the one-tier design. It's ideal for a small-scale, yet formal wedding.
A Square Wedding Cake With Sugar Pearls
The white sugar pearls on this Maggie Austin Cake creation add a certain ladylike glamour to its unique square shape. A delicate flower topper makes it a true confectionery standout worthy of a formal wedding.
A Ruffled Wedding Cake with Flowers
Structured white ruffles take a simple one-tier design and elevate it to something befitting a luxurious event. This Maggie Austin Cake concoction is delightfully ethereal and ready to display at a glamorous wedding.
A Quilted White Wedding Cake with Flowers
A petite wedding cake decorated with ivory ribbon and tiny pearls and topped by delicate sugar flowers is a gorgeous, fool-proof option for any size wedding.
To read the full article
The gorgeous pink rose on this sweet one-tier cake is festive, but it's the adorable wooden figurines on top that really make this a cake worth saying "I do" to.
A One-Tier Wedding Cake with A Tall Flower Topper
The tall flower topper on this Maggie Austin Cake cake adds height and drama to the one-tier design. It's ideal for a small-scale, yet formal wedding.
The white sugar pearls on this Maggie Austin Cake creation add a certain ladylike glamour to its unique square shape. A delicate flower topper makes it a true confectionery standout worthy of a formal wedding.
Structured white ruffles take a simple one-tier design and elevate it to something befitting a luxurious event. This Maggie Austin Cake concoction is delightfully ethereal and ready to display at a glamorous wedding.
A petite wedding cake decorated with ivory ribbon and tiny pearls and topped by delicate sugar flowers is a gorgeous, fool-proof option for any size wedding.
To read the full article
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Blue and Silver Glitter Ornaments Wedding
This pretty design is perfect for your winter wedding. The background is a bright white with a light grey diagonal pinstripe. In the center is a large faded blue snowflake. Hanging down from the top on light blue ribbons are alternating blue with silver accents and silver with blue accents ornaments. This set has invitations, save the date cards, response cards, thank you cards, table number tent cards, envelope seals, wine labels, binders, and return address labels available. For matching items in this set **CLICK HERE**.
Blue and Silver Glitter Ornaments Personalized Invitation by NoteableExpressions
Blue and Silver Glitter Ornaments Personalized Invitation by NoteableExpressions
Product Details
Size: 5" x 7" Invitation
Make custom invitations and announcements for every special occasion! Add photos and text to both sides of this flat card for free.
5" x 7" (portrait) or 7" x 5" (landscape). Additional sizes available.
High quality, full-color, full-bleed printing on both sides.
20 unique paper types and colors.
Standard white envelope included.
Premium Envelopments pocket folds, colored envelopes, and envelope liners available.
Postage rate for this size invitation (up to 1 oz.) is $0.49.
Paper Type: Basic
A crisp professional paper with a smooth semi-glossy finish designed for vibrant full-color printing. 110lb cover-weight. 50% recycled content (10% post-consumer and 40% pre-consumer waste).
Size: 5" x 7" Invitation
Make custom invitations and announcements for every special occasion! Add photos and text to both sides of this flat card for free.
5" x 7" (portrait) or 7" x 5" (landscape). Additional sizes available.
High quality, full-color, full-bleed printing on both sides.
20 unique paper types and colors.
Standard white envelope included.
Premium Envelopments pocket folds, colored envelopes, and envelope liners available.
Postage rate for this size invitation (up to 1 oz.) is $0.49.
Paper Type: Basic
A crisp professional paper with a smooth semi-glossy finish designed for vibrant full-color printing. 110lb cover-weight. 50% recycled content (10% post-consumer and 40% pre-consumer waste).
Monday, July 28, 2014
Elegant Gothic Spider Halloween Party Invitation
Are you ready to start planning your outrageous Halloween party yet? This cool and fun elegant Halloween design called, Elegant Gothic Spider
Halloween, has a lightly grunged grey background. At the top there is a
spider web with Gothic scroll designs on either side and a large spider
in the center. Your text goes in the center. This would be great for
any Halloween or masquerade party! Great for kids or teens.
Elegant Gothic Spider Halloween Party Invitation by NoteableExpressions
Elegant Gothic Spider Halloween Party Invitation by NoteableExpressions
Product Details
Size: 5" x 7" Invitation
Make custom invitations and announcements for every special occasion! Add photos and text to both sides of this flat card for free.
5" x 7" (portrait) or 7" x 5" (landscape). Additional sizes available.
High quality, full-color, full-bleed printing on both sides.
20 unique paper types and colors.
Standard white envelope included.
Premium Envelopments pocket folds, colored envelopes, and envelope liners available.
Postage rate for this size invitation (up to 1 oz.) is $0.49.
Paper Type: Basic
A crisp professional paper with a smooth semi-glossy finish designed for vibrant full-color printing. 110lb cover-weight. 50% recycled content (10% post-consumer and 40% pre-consumer waste).
Size: 5" x 7" Invitation
Make custom invitations and announcements for every special occasion! Add photos and text to both sides of this flat card for free.
5" x 7" (portrait) or 7" x 5" (landscape). Additional sizes available.
High quality, full-color, full-bleed printing on both sides.
20 unique paper types and colors.
Standard white envelope included.
Premium Envelopments pocket folds, colored envelopes, and envelope liners available.
Postage rate for this size invitation (up to 1 oz.) is $0.49.
Paper Type: Basic
A crisp professional paper with a smooth semi-glossy finish designed for vibrant full-color printing. 110lb cover-weight. 50% recycled content (10% post-consumer and 40% pre-consumer waste).
Saturday, July 26, 2014
5 Ways to Personalize Your Wedding Day
Have a Drink
Start the celebration as soon as guests arrive by throwing a short (no more than an hour) preceremony cocktail party. It will give everyone a chance to mingle and ensure that even your chronically late college roommate will get there in time for the main event. Keep it simple by serving a festive cocktail or two and a small treat like artisanal popcorn in paper cones. As for whether you choose to make a special guest appearance yourself—possibly in another cute white outfit—that's up to you.
Plan a Group Activity
If you're marrying at a location like a museum, zoo, or aquarium, give your guests the option of taking a fun behind-the-scenes tour before your I do's.
Pick an Alternative Bridesmaid Bouquet
Skip the bouquets and have your besties carry a chic clutch instead. (It doubles as a bridesmaids' gift!) Other creative options: silk fans, parasols in your colors, or candlelit lanterns (great for an evening ceremony).
Get Creative With the Ring Bearer
Have your ring bearer carry your bands on something unique: a felt flower, a mini fishing rod, or a slice of wood that says "Here Comes the Bride."
Make a Time Capsule
Before the wedding, write a letter to your groom. (He should do the same for you.) During the ceremony, put the notes and a bottle of wine in a box and take turns hammering it shut. Open it on your 10th anniversary!
Friday, July 25, 2014
6 Items to Save Your Wedding Day Emergency
It's unfortunate, but true: Accidents are bound to happen even on your wedding day — especially when it comes to your pristine, gorgeous white dress. Luckily, most brides say that the little mishaps didn't even make a dent on their big day, but it's always better to be prepared. So, if a tiny drop of red wine somehow lands right onto the front of your dress before you take pictures or if you suffer a wardrobe malfunction, you'll be able to take care of the situation ASAP!
1. Emergency sewing kit with needle, thread, and scissors: "In case you have any tears or rips in your dress — let's say the hem got caught in your heel or your bustle breaks — having thread and a needle can quickly fix the problem. Also make sure to keep a miniature pair of scissors in your kit, which will make any sewing jobs that much easier.
2. Safety Pins: Safety pins are essential in case a detail on a dress falls off and it needs to be secured back on or you have a sudden zipper malfunction.
3. Double-Sided Tape: I've seen one too many brides and bridesmaids who were having too much fun (as they should have been!), and the potential for a 'slip' was very high. Double-sided tape keeps your dresses in intact in places that should never be exposed and gives you confidence to bust out your boldest dance moves.
4. Make Up For Ever Micro Finish Powder: This is one of my favorite products out on the beauty market. Naturally you would use it to blot lightly on your face to combat shine and mattify skin. What a lot of people don't know, however, is that this particular powder also removes oil or grease stains on fabric. It works like magic. Just dust it onto the stain and then blot it out with a tissue or cloth.
5. Tide-to-Go Instant Stain Remover: This is one of the best inventions ever and I always have it on hand. Simply swipe the marker on the stain and it disappears almost instantly.
6. Band-Aid: Last, but not least, don't forget to throw a few Band-Aids into your kit, especially if you're still breaking in new shoes. Stick one on as soon as you feel a pinch to prevent blisters from forming later in the night.
1. Emergency sewing kit with needle, thread, and scissors: "In case you have any tears or rips in your dress — let's say the hem got caught in your heel or your bustle breaks — having thread and a needle can quickly fix the problem. Also make sure to keep a miniature pair of scissors in your kit, which will make any sewing jobs that much easier.
2. Safety Pins: Safety pins are essential in case a detail on a dress falls off and it needs to be secured back on or you have a sudden zipper malfunction.
3. Double-Sided Tape: I've seen one too many brides and bridesmaids who were having too much fun (as they should have been!), and the potential for a 'slip' was very high. Double-sided tape keeps your dresses in intact in places that should never be exposed and gives you confidence to bust out your boldest dance moves.
4. Make Up For Ever Micro Finish Powder: This is one of my favorite products out on the beauty market. Naturally you would use it to blot lightly on your face to combat shine and mattify skin. What a lot of people don't know, however, is that this particular powder also removes oil or grease stains on fabric. It works like magic. Just dust it onto the stain and then blot it out with a tissue or cloth.
5. Tide-to-Go Instant Stain Remover: This is one of the best inventions ever and I always have it on hand. Simply swipe the marker on the stain and it disappears almost instantly.
6. Band-Aid: Last, but not least, don't forget to throw a few Band-Aids into your kit, especially if you're still breaking in new shoes. Stick one on as soon as you feel a pinch to prevent blisters from forming later in the night.
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