How To Make Your Day Memorable Without Going Into Debt

How To Make Your Day Memorable Without Going Into Debt

Looking back at our wedding 13 years ago I realize all the things we should have, could have, and didn't get to do. All in all what really matters the commitment, the love that is there, and the loved ones that were there to celebrate our special day. 

Here is what happened to us and happens to so many.  In the end I will show you how to cut back the costs and have your cake and eat it too!!

What we wanted to do was have a casual affair with a pig roast, cocktails, and flowers everywhere.  Maybe invite 30 of our closest friends and our family members.  Well that is where the issues all began.  If you have a big family or a lot of friends then you know what I mean.  Inviting aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents, nieces, and nephews can end up being 80 people if you aren't careful, it is the same with your friends. 
Before you know it your guest list is out of control and you feel obligated to invite everyone. Your parents object to a kegger, or a cash bar so that adds to your overall budget, of course then you have to invite your parents friends because of course they went to all their children's weddings and they feel it is time for them to have some reciprocation.  It can lead to a major PITA factor. 

Here is my advice from experience not only from hearing fellow brides but from my own wedding woes.

Figure out where you want to have your wedding if it is outside always prepare for the weather. 


LOCATION:

If it is at a hall choose an off season month, and an earlier wedding affair.
Having your wedding in March versus May can save you 100's of dollars, of course having a Friday wedding is always cheaper but if weekends are a must than why not host a brunch or luncheon type affair.  Then you do not feel obligated to have an open bar, you can make it as simple as you want or as elaborate as you want and still have fun and not go broke doing so.

GUEST LIST:

Sit down with your Fiance' and decide how many people you truly can afford to come to your wedding if it is 100 than stick to 100!  If your family is large than only invite adults, and cut out neighbors, co-workers, aquaintences, and relatives you are not close with.  Send them an announcement if you wish but do not feel obligated to invite everyone and anyone to your wedding day.  Remember this is YOUR DAY!!

FLOWERS:

For some flowers make the day seem even more special, so don't skip out on the flowers but be selective. Order flowers that are in season and can be found locally if possible. Your local grocer often has a wonderful floral department and they do just as good of a job as a florist for a fraction of the price. Less is more should be your motto.

WEDDING DRESS:

Discount bridal stores are a great place to go but if you are not a traditionalist why wear a white wedding gown when you can easily get a beautiful dress, suit, or gown at a fraction of the price.  Think unique and classy when making this decision.  Some brides feel they have to pay 1,000's of dollars to look good for their wedding day when in fact most brides are uncomfortable, hot, and itchy.  Comfort = Sexy!

INVITATIONS:

This is the first impression for most on what to expect at your wedding a do it yourself kit can be less costly but first, who has the time, and second do you really want to send out self-made invites when you can just as easily order budget friendly professional invites. A little leg work and you can find in-expensive beautiful invitations that represent your day with style.  Don't skimp on  first impressions.

We had a wonderful wedding 13 years ago and really have no true regrets on how we put together our wedding reception or ceremony but working two jobs for two years to pay for it did put a crimp in our day to day plans it did prepare us for our future budgeting needs, but was it really all necessary? No.  What I remember the most is the food, the music, and seeing how handsome my husband looked on our wedding day.  The best part of it all truly was our Honeymoon!!

Wishing you all the luck and remember this is your day!

For Budget Friendly Invitations, Accessories and more contact
Love To Promote 815-603-2324 or visit our website and order online at http://www.lovetopromote.cceasy.com/ look for the Budget Invitations!

Budget Invites

You can still have beautiful invitations Professionaly Done
without breaking the bank.
When planning your wedding the last thing you have time for is learning how to print out and design your own invitations, ink can be costly and can wear out your home personal computer. It is always best to trust a professional company when doing your invitations though it might cost a few dollars more than getting them from a retail store you will be guaranteed satisfaction, and guaranteed that they will be done on time.

Above is one of our many budget invitations available.

Classic Rose on Soft White
A classic rose design is embossed on a soft white folder.
WAB241-40
$41.90 for 100

If you have any questions or would like to place an order feel free to contact us at 815-603-2324 or call our toll free number at:

Phone: 1-877-290-8487 or 1-507-386-2320, access code KCS90Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. CST, Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. CST, Saturday

Other: Please have access code: KCS90 when contacting us.

Economy Effecting Your Wedding Plans?

* Recession Proof Your Wedding - Don't go deeply into debt to have your wedding. Right now with the markets being the way that they are, that's a little more than scary.

Don't take a line of credit out against your house to pay for your wedding right now. The best way to recession proof your wedding is to figure out what you can realistically spend on your wedding (chat with your parents about this too) and then stick to it. Cut down your guest list. A smaller guest list will not only save you money but will give you more room to spread out on the dance floor.

* Buyer Beware - Yes you want a good deal but now is not the time to be booking with anyone who hangs up a sign. You need to pick people who are well established and have financially secure companies that have been around for awhile. How horrible would it be to give someone a big deposit and then not be able to get a hold of them again?

* Be Smart With Your Wedding AND Lifestyle Budget - It's important that you make a budget for both your wedding AND your life and then stick to it. This will help you feel in control and confident with all your decisions.

Fresh Vs. Silk Flowers for Your Wedding

Pros & Cons of Silk: Silk will not wilt, does not need watering, is easy to transport, will not cause anyone an allergic reaction, and will have all flowers in season for your wedding day. However, the cost of Silk is often a big turn off though the flowers will last forever the cost may hurt your wedding budget.

Fresh flowers are more delicate however, the overall effect of fresh flowers can be stunning you decide which will work best for your wedding day.

Fresh or Silk we all agree flowers are a must at every wedding...

Casual or Formal Wedding

I remember when my husband and I started planning our wedding. We were in our early 20's and had very little money so for us a pig roast came to mind. Casual shorts & t-shirts as the attire, backyard setting it seemed appropriate at the time but soon our low budget wedding idea was being thrown out, the opinions were out and we wanted to please our parents. So we did the formal wedding, banquet hall, dress, tux the whole deal. Do I look back with regrets? Yes & No...

I loved our wedding because my husband and I planned it and paid for it all by ourselves, and it turned out to be an awesome wedding, but I must admit we were influenced by our parents and had I do it over again I would have done an intimate wedding and worried more about having fun on our special day.

So casual or formal - I say do what your heart and budget say. We were recently invited to a morning wedding at a hall but casual attire a must I have to say I am really looking forward to this wedding it's unique, fun, and best of all I get to wear JEANS!!!!

How to save money for your wedding -

There are so many expenses involved with planning your special day that it can be financially stressful. Here is some great advice on making sure your able to pay for your big day...

Plan ahead so you aren't stuck with a large amount of debt in a short amount of time-

1- 2 years is sufficient

How can you save with so many other financial obligations?


Cook for each other at home instead of eating out.

Rent movies instead of going to theaters.

Check out books and CDs from the library instead of buying them DVD's can also be rented for free at the library.

Pack your lunch instead of ordering it at the deli - freeze meals ahead of time and microwave them at work for a good variety.

Take buses, subways, or your own two feet instead of cabs or using your gas.

Skip the daily cappuccino and put the extra dollars aside, or find a cheaper place for your daily cup of coffee.

Throw all your loose coins into a large jar at the end of the day as well as any dollar bills you have it all adds up and can be a great way to buy wedding accessories or bridal party gifts.

Put off it-can-wait purchases until after the wedding.

Get a second job wait tables, deliver pizza, direct sell, until you reach a specific goal.

If you plan ahead and set goals now it will pay off.

Have fun and good luck~