Make no mistake, a wedding can cost a lot of money. And even more if you don’t put a proper plan in place to manage your finances and stick to a budget. According to a recent survey by The Knot, the average wedding in the U.S. costs over $30,000. Much of this is accounted for and many couples do, indeed, start out with a spending limit in mind. The problem is that many don’t adhere to it. In fact, as many as one in three couples go over budget! It can be easy to let fancy venues and decor get […]
The Ultimate Cold-Weather Comfort Food Wedding Menu
It’s your cold-weather wedding (or pre-party)! Guests are arriving chilled. And you want to warm them with a comfort food menu. Sprinkle your offerings with ingredients that feed the soul and raise spirits. They will have fond memories of your event for years to come. The beauty of all these recipes is you can make them ahead. Plus, they are scalable. Appropriate for a large reception, intimate holiday party, or rehearsal dinner. Concerned about the carb factor? I’ve offered ideas under each recipe for adjusting ingredients or offering alternatives. Give yourself plenty of time to tinker and adjust! Now let’s […]
12 Affordable Wedding Party Gift Jewelry Ideas They’ll Flip Out About
Jewelry gifts for the wedding party are a much-loved tradition. And there are inexpensive options. Earrings, necklaces, and bracelets are typical. And I’ve included some. But what, exactly, is jewelry? For purposes of this discussion, it’s pretty much any piece of bling you keep nearby throughout the day. So, keep that definition in mind here as you discover these 12 affordable wedding party gift jewelry wedding ideas for the gang who is helping you get hitched. Inexpensive “Jewelry” for the Groomsmen and Dads Watches, keychains, tie bars, and cufflinks all qualify as jewelry in my book. The guys’ version of […]
Top 7 Limited Budget Wedding Planning Tips
One of the first realities when planning a wedding on a budget is discovering IT’S EXPENSIVE! But can a bride- or groom-to-be still have the wedding of their dreams? Absolutely. The secrets to budget wedding planning are two-fold. Rank what’s important to you and be conscientious about what you spend. Here are seven ways you can do this. 1. Prioritize Wedding Expenses When dreaming of the perfect wedding, there are likely two or three elements you imagine. What are they? The gown? Decor? Location? The people? Whatever the aspects, these are where you should put your priorities. First, take a […]
5 Wedding Shopping Ideas. Tips to Save Money.
We sometimes think a small budget means doing everything ourselves and giving up on the dream wedding. Not necessarily. The good news is the dream can survive the pinch! It will, however, require more thoughtful spending. The key when buying wedding items is to combine DIY projects with discount suppliers, sales or coupon codes, and used items. In a way that not only gets the most value for your money but also keeps your stress levels down. The dream wedding, after all, does not include Bridezilla raising her harried head and ruining your big day. There are various tactics to help you save money on […]
How Stay Within Your Wedding Ring Budget: Metal and Style
If you are like most, there is a finite amount of money for the wedding bands or set. Sure, it would be wonderful to have that amazing $15,000 Tiffany wedding ring. Unless you also want to eat and keep a roof over your head. The good news is material and style can have a great impact on the ring’s price. So there are ways to choose rings that are both attractive and affordable to you. Metals Choose metals for the rings that are in line with your budget. Consider sturdiness as well, especially if the ring will be worn in […]
23 Ways to Save on Wedding Food Costs
Whether you have a caterer do all, only part, or none of the food preparation, there are ways to save on wedding food costs. When you take this “you, me, or us?” approach to the food you can discover cost-saving solutions you may not have thought about otherwise. Here–whether you completely outsource, totally DIY, or are somewhere in between–are some ideas to consider for your wedding. 1. Make sure you know how the caterer determines the final cost you pay. When by the number of people at the event, keep a careful count. Follow up on RSVPs ahead of time so […]
78 Unconventional Wedding Ideas to Help You Stay Within a Wedding Budget
There are options and ideas beyond the traditional for every wedding decision you make. Most of these revolve around getting tasks done in unconventional ways. This may be by buying a product or service somewhere else besides a wedding vendor. Or you completing do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. You can also use items in less-than-usual ways. Or even skip a traditional part of the ceremony or reception. You can often save money along these less worn paths. Here are 78 ideas, plus some resources, to help you brainstorm saving money by “taking the road less traveled” when planning your wedding … 1. […]
The Secret to Making Double Burlap Bows
I’ll let the cat out of the bag right away (pretend like you didn’t already guess). It’s a rake! I first got inspired when seeing a pin on Pinterest on how to make a double bow with a fork. I thought, “if I can make small ones I should be able to make big ones, too!” And the not-yet-famous leaf rake burlap bow was born! The bows come out even and straight every time. AND you do not have to hold it together while making it. Read written directions below or scroll further down the page for a video (which […]
How to Make Rustic Burlap Flowers (Tutorial and Video)
Decorative, burlap details have become a mainstay in country and rustic weddings. And since flowers are also common decorations, why not include burlap flowers in your decor? Here I show you how to make rustic burlap flowers with three layers. There are many more ways to create burlap flowers, so please also see the additional styles showcased below the tutorial. If you prefer a more elegant look, see the DIY burlap and lace flowers tutorial here. Note: If you arrived via the rustic wedding cake tutorial, the largest (bottom) brown burlap layer is what I used to make the leaves […]
5 Ways to have a Posh, Luxury-Look Wedding on a Small Budget
What is a good budget for a wedding? The answer is what you can spend without sacrificing too much elsewhere in your life. As soon as the pain of not having that money overshadows the joy from the nuptials you’ve overspent. Happily, there are ways to have a luxury-looking wedding on a small budget. In general, repetition of common elements is key. This pulls your wedding together into a cohesive look. And gives you ample opportunity to let your uniqueness shine. If you know from the start, you can do this throughout the entire wedding, starting with the save the […]
