MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com Blog
Bride on a limited budget? Here are a few tips.
Lower wedding budgets are today’s reality. Can a bride-to-be still have the wedding of her dreams? Absolutely. The secrets are prioritizing and being conscientious about what you spend.
Prioritizing Wedding Expenses
When dreaming of the perfect wedding, there are likely two or three elements you see vividly and are most important. What are they? The gown? Decor? Location? A jaw-dropping Cake? Whatever the aspects, these are where you should put your priorities. Similar to purchasing a dream home, every small detail of your original vision will not likely survive a small budget. But focus on the few elements that make the dream a dream and you will soon forget the insignificant pieces that did not happen as originally anticipated.
Be Both “Penny and Pound Wise”
Most all of us have heard the phrase “penny wise and pound foolish” as a description for someone who watches every little cent, but is wasteful when it comes to larger expense decisions. You can be wise on both fronts! Consistently saving dollars on the smaller expenditures adds up, as does making wise decisions on larger costs. Here are some tips:
Personalized service providers.
Pick and choose what you hire someone to do. Top contenders for personalized services are (1) aspects of your wedding most important to you (as mentioned above) and (2) those things you do not have the time or talent to do yourself.
Cut costs in areas you are less passionate about and/or are able to accomplish without the help of a professional. Before doing so, however, evaluate what quality you will give up by having your cousin do the videography or Uncle Walt running a boom box (for example). Expertise and experience do matter, so scrimp here with your eyes wide open.
Venue & catering costs.
There are two approaches to saving money here: guest count and cost for the space. In 2011, more couples began having their receptions in unconventional spaces like empty buildings, barns, or the outdoors and many used the space for both the ceremony and wedding. That trend is expected to continue for 2012. Depending on the location, this can save on rental fees.
On the guest count side, the average number of guests at the wedding is decreasing. Couples are opting for a more intimate group of family and friends.
The visual details.
Do it yourself is trendy. Making your own chair covers rather than renting expensive ones is perfectly acceptable, as is giving handcrafted and personally meaningful gifts to the wedding party. What you do purchase, harness the power of the Internet to keep costs down. Not only is the selection much larger than what you find locally, but lower priced options are more plentiful as well.
Examples of areas where you can save by shopping online (each link goes to a page of inexpensive online items in that category):
Your Veil: Do it Yourself (DIY) or Buy?
In today’s economy, many are looking for ways to have the wedding of their dreams while also keeping costs low. If this describes you (or a client), doing your veil yourself (diy) may be an option. Or not. It comes down to personal skills and preferences. Here are some considerations when deciding whether to make a veil:
Pros of creating your own veil:
- You may save money.
- You get the color, length, trims, and beading, etc. you want.
- You also have the option of buying a relatively simple veil, then decorating it yourself.
- Making some types of veils is relatively easy, even if you are “craft impaired” like I am.
- If you are very good at sewing, you can have the ability to create an elaborate, completely custom veil.
Cons related to a diy veil:
- Buying at discount or on eBay may cost about the same or even cost less than making it.
- You save time by buying your veil.
- Elaborate embroidery, embellishment patterns, or multiple tiers may be difficult if you do not sew / are not “crafty.”
In the video below, I elaborate on your choices. Also, go to the Buying versus making your veil page for discount-priced resources whether you are making a veil, buying one, or dressing up a plain veil.
February 7, 2012
Publishers Choice: Rustic Wedding
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An average wedding in 2012 looks much different than only a few years ago. Very expensive, formal affairs are growing more scarce, with the trend toward rustic touches and uniqueness. Today’s Publisher’s Choice focuses on ideas and deals to save you money while planning an informal wedding.
You will notice a blue price tag icon next to each merchant’s name. Click on it to be taken to that merchant’s offers page, where you can see what other sales, etc. that particular merchant is running. Also, when you see a red “P” icon, this means I have a Pinterest board with images to help illustrate whatever topic I am trying to explain. Click it to see the board.
Finally, if you are looking for something specific, please drop me a line or leave a message through social media and I can search through my merchants’ inventories for ideas. My contact information is here: http://www.myonlineweddinghelp.com/contact.htm
Bobette
Boots in a wedding? You betcha!
To some, rustic means Western, resulting in more brides and bridesmaids wearing cowboy boots in weddings. 
Planet Shoes, which carries more informal dress shoes and boots than most shoesellers, is running a nice sale on women’s boots and other shoes. Don’t miss their Winter clearance event, which ends 2/9/2012.
For more selection, check out all of our merchants’ women’s cowboy boots here.
The Mason Jar
The old fashioned mason jar seems to have become the ultimate multi-functional item for the do-it-yourself wedding. You will be stunned at all you can do with them. The canning-type jar can become a light fixture, light holder, vase, centerpiece, drinking glass, and more. Similarly, use the handled variety as a candle, favor holder, or whatever your imagination suggests.
Meijer carries mason jars by the case at a nice price. .
Table Top Trees
Depending on how you decorate them, these can be rustic, elegant, or seasonal. But anyway you look at it, this type of decoration is becoming more popular. Manzania trees, with bendable branches, are an ideal start. Add wishcards to the table for guests to write on and hang from the tree and you have a special reminder of your wedding day.
Koyal, a low-priced wholesaler, allows quantities as low as two. When you order more, the per item cost is even lower. Their branches and other nature-related supplies are here.
February 6, 2012
Making a Wedding Veil How-to
I am excited to announce a new section on MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com–a series of veil making videos showing, in detail, step-by-step instructions on how to make a veil yourself.
Why make your own wedding veil? There are a variety of reasons:
- You know what you want, but are having trouble finding it.
- You are on a low budget (as almost everyone is these days) and are looking to cut expenses any way you can.
- The third reason is courtesy of TwoHeartBirds.com. Making your veil together with another family member or your future MIL can be a bonding experience. “It would be an amazing gift to hand down to generations.”
If you are thinking you do not have the talent to make this, let me tell you one thing: the number one rule for my do-it-yourself videos is I have to be able to do it all by myself. On the 10-point “craftiness” scale I am a 2-3. So if I can do it, you can too.
What’s in the new section?
Veils.MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/make-veil is an overview of my five-step veil making process, plus eight additional videos detailing those steps and a few considerations. There is a corresponding written page for each as well, if you are the type that would rather read instructions.
Here is an outline of the contents, followed by the overview video:
Step 1: Measuring and cutting veil fabric with your own, home made pattern.
Step 2: Making your blusher (if you want one).
Step 3: Gluing embellishments such as rhinestones, crystals, pearls, edging, or other decorations.
Step 4: Putting gathers in your veil.
Step 5: Sewing on a veil comb.
Wedding Trends: Nifty and New in 2012
Although the classic fairy tale wedding will always be in, new ideas surface each year, defining the “modern” wedding. 2012 is no different. ”We are seeing couples move away from formal and traditional type weddings to fun, romantic, simple, casual, and unique weddings with a touch of formal and tradition,” notes TheWeddingReport.com. Put the emphasis on “unique” and “simple” and you have the makings for a personally intimate wedding.
Do It Yourself (DIY)
As people move away from “overdone” and pricey, DIY projects are more popular. Not only do they bring family and friends closer as all pitch in to create the Big Day, but they allow you to be as creative or traditional as you prefer.
Tulle, also known as netting or Bridal Illusion, is one of the best materials for decorating your own wedding. Not only can you hide support poles, drape over table clothes, and tie into bows for guest chairs, you can use it to make inexpensive and attractive centerpieces as well.
One idea is to create a tree centerpiece–green for spring or summer, white for winter, red/orange/yellow colors for fall, or match it to your wedding colors–and leave it as-is or decorate with crystals or small favors. See a picture of a white tree and other ideas on my tulle inspiration board on Pinterest.
For instructions, see the post on wwvisions.com forums here (it’s for a Christmas tree, but the idea is adaptable to any color).
Also, you will need a good supply of tulle. Here are some shopping resources for you:
- This retailer has a nice selection of discount tulle and other bridal fabrics.
- Check for current fabric store coupons and sales through these links: Fabric, Joann, Hancock
- Shop tulle from these and other partners here.
Wedding Cupcakes, Evolved
The cupcake-as-cake trend has been around for two or three years–not so new but still on trend. What is new is the idea of more variety, including mini cakes and other desserts. Cake pops, unique minis like these “bride and groom” chocolate-covered strawberries, bulk candy stations, and dessert bars are all making more appearances at receptions (for more ideas, see the Dessert Station Idea Pinterest board here).
Non-Obstructive Centerpieces
Informal weddings, resembling parties, are more common this year; people want to interact and converse more with all table partners. A large & tall centerpiece hinders this. So, planners are coming up with unique ways to decorate without restricting view of those across the table: shorter centerpieces; hanging décor; or tall & thin, top-heavy designs. For ideas, take a look at the centerpiece board here.
Lace
The royal wedding in 2011 set off a trend toward lace, not only in wedding dresses, but on cakes, garters, shoes, invitations, and more.
- Browse various wedding gowns with lace here.
- Our lace and romantic shoes page includes many new styles.
- Get more ideas on our wedding lace inspiration board here.
January 22, 2012
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