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If you are having a formal big wedding and want to save money try to get a banquet hall during the off season time Nov-March. Most reception facilities offer deals during that time. You could make the open bar to cash bar and save money off per person sometimes as much as 28 dollars per person. Your guests are not going to drink that much alcohol if they are driving. Remember you also have a champagne toast included in your package. Go through the whole package and see what other charges you could take off that you don't need. Then go back with your list and talk to the person in charge and make a package deal.
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Janine
S.
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One way that we are saving money on our wedding is we posted on craigslist that we were looking for a photographer. We got a ton of emails and realized that a lot of them were from new graduates from a well known university who had just finished an extensive program in photography. After interviewing and talking with a few of these students and seeing their work, we found one who was just what we wanted and for an amazing price! Our agreement in that we pay less than 1/2 of what most photographers cost in exchange for her use of our photos in her portfolio and on her website to help her start her business. It has saved us over $2000!
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Kate
W.
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Put a boutonniere on ALL VIP, and tell your photographer how many there are. This will help ensure photos throughout the whole wedding of these people.
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Jennifer
L.
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The most creative, time- and money-saving idea I've come across so far is cupcake bouquets. If you find the right cake decorator they can be made completely edible and suprisingly elegant! I'm considering them as my centerpieces for the reception. This means I don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on a huge wedding cake or have to worry about another unnecessary serving line. The cakes are there at each table. Oh, and imagine the savings on the florist! I no longer have to worry about the overwhelming cost of out of season flowers! I can have any flower I choose made in gum paste.
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Alexandria
N.
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Go to as many bridal expos and trunk shows as possible! It's a good opportunity to meet other brides-to-be and also get tips on what's current, classic and out of style for wedding ideas. And it's also a great way meet vendors. Plus there are free giveaways for dove releases, honeymoons, cases of wine, etc.!
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Andrea
R.
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Make sure to start early and don't forget to go with the flow. Sometimes things have to change and most of the time they end up working out better in the end!!
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Krista
F.
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Don't be scared of trying something unique. Some brides choose to highlight their Maid of Honor in a special complementary color while other brides will do a color run of the same gown. Whatever you do, make sure the colors you have chosen work together.
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Alfred Angelo
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Find friends and family who are in the wedding industry to make your cake and do your photography. Get friends together to make favors and decorate your reception and ceremony venues. Get as much help from family and friends as possible.
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Jacquelyn
P.
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Be sure you can deal with the weight of your wedding gown. Do not get a gown that is too heavy and can't walk in. I went to a wedding and the bride wore the heaviest dress, she couldn't even dance.
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Roxana F.
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Do some brainstorming with family and friends for a non-mainstream venue for the reception. More than likely you will save a good chuck of money.
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Carla
S.
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Create unique floral arrangements that utilize vibrant colors and non-standard vases (like fishbowls!)...the unique design and powerful colors don't have to involve a lot of flowers and makes for a great, cost-effective conversation piece.
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Porsche
K.
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Find out what unique talents your friends and family have. I am using family for everything and saving thousands of dollars.
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Monique C
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My best tip is to keep it simple. We are renting a beautiful little chapel and garden for one hour! We are hoping to get married outdoors but if it should rain a pretty chapel is there. Then we will have a professional photographer for one hour. We are going next door to the restaurant for an afternoon reception with our families, children, and closest friends. We have found a local florist who is very reasonable. I am only getting one bouquet which I will be happy to toss.
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Elizabeth
B.
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We planned our wedding for the weekend after a big event that was being held at the church. We're going to save a lot of money on flowers because the entire church is already going to be decorated. We also considered planning the wedding for the weekend after Easter or around Christmas when the church would be decorated.
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Victoria
S.
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Throw all your loose change in a jar. Wrap it and add it to your account for the wedding or the honeymoon. It adds up fast $50 a month extra is great money. Or make a bet with your partner whoever collects the most change gets to pick one thing to do on the honeymoon. Spa anyone?
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mandee
m.
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Use the resources of your friends, family and loved ones. Everyone has talents, contacts, and information that can help you get the best deals with vendors, or they can help you do it yourself! This is the best way to help others who are in tight financial situations to have their assistance and advice be their wedding gift to you!
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Erin M
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Make sure you have some one helping you get ready for the wedding that is not in the bridal party, just in case they need to run out real quick to get something.
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Jennifer
T.
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Don't send out save the date cards.
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Jana
J.
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The biggest thing I have is to shop around. Whether it's for your DJ, Invitations, Flowers etc. Everyone is hurting right now and there is always room to bargain.
Talk to friends, family, and even co-workers to find out if they have anyone in their family that DJ's, is a calligrapher, or a florist. That alone can save you a bundle.
When I saw that the cost of flowers would be more than what I make in an entire month, I knew I had to do something. I looked around and found an amazing deal where instead of paying $12 a stem, I am now paying less than $1 a stem and it is saving me A LOT of money.
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Teresa
D.
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Since most weddings are centered around a season, those who live rurally can enlist friends to go outside and find decorations that are found in nature AND they would be fresh! Things like flowers, branches, leaves, ivy, moss, pretty rocks, birds nests with or without hatched eggs (just turn them around and no one will know they have already hatched out). Add some clear Christmas lights and TaDa! You know everyone wants to be involved one way or another in your wedding and this is a great way to incorporate friends in the wedding celebration so they have a "part" too! Plus you would be surprised to know that LOTS of people would be willing to "share" some of their pretties from their yard for a wedding... just ask ahead of time so you can "pick" the day of the wedding.
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Tammy
W.
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