Wedding Tips

Deciding what wedding shoes you want to buy is relatively simple. You have probably been looking at fancy shoes online long enough to know your favorites. How to choose wedding shoes that are a fit for your wedding, dress, circumstances, ...

Many people overlook wedding tax deductions when thinking of ways to save money on their wedding. Here are the rules along with corresponding IRS resources. I've followed these with some ideas for getting the deductions. (Disclaimer: I've taken the H&R ...

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 biggest hurdle is understanding everything imaginable is not possible ...

You're engaged. Woohoo! You've spread the news and changed your Facebook statuses. And you have set the date. Or at least a date range. So now what? You are probably like many and cannot hire a wedding planner to help ...

Tradition dictates that the men rent tuxes for the big event. Well, let's forget about tradition. Today, there are so many more options for the groom and groomsmen's wedding attire. You may choose to go with groomsmen wear such as ...

We've all done it--bought shoes and completely forgot until it was too late that brand new shoes HURT if worn for long periods of time. Don't let the excitement of your wedding day, or other special event, be marred by ...

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 wedding budget. According to a recent survey by The Knot, the average wedding in ...

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 ...

When you’ve popped the question and your partner says yes, the next question is usually, “When?” followed by "They say spend how much on the rings?!" Ignore "them." You can stay well under that budget and still wear quality. These ...

A big decision while planning your wedding is which areas you will DIY and which you will hire vendors to do. You may want to try planning the entire wedding yourself, with only the help of family and friends. Think ...

The days of old, when your only wedding stationery option was ordering as a pricey, matched set, are long gone. Today’s couples have a wide range of choices, from simple wedding cards to elaborate suites. And you can do many ...

Savings Secret #7 in Dream Wedding on a Dime; 7 Secrets for the Budget-Savvy Bride is "Stack and Save." What you ultimately pay from your budget shrinks proportionately when you find multiple ways to lower the cost of items or ...

You have a party, shower, rehearsal dinner, or reception to pull together and are not exactly sure how to create a cohesive theme? The book Decorate for a Party by Holly Becker and Leslie Shewring can help. Here I take ...

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Typically, the bride and bridesmaids' jewelry ensembles are made up of a necklace and earrings, but they can also include brooches and bracelets or cuffs, depending on the formality of the wedding, how elaborate the dresses are, and the bride's ...

Either wedding guest count or how much you spend per guest must be limited to stay within budget (if you are like most of us). Chances are, however, you’ve envisioned a “personality” for your wedding that must also remain intact ...

One would think "all" means--well, all-- when buying an all-inclusive wedding package. Unfortunately, the definition varies for each venue. If you are not wary, your final cost may vary substantially from what you expected. To avoid sticker shock be sure ...

While having a wedding shop such as David’s Bridal order wedding shoes for the bridal party may be a convenient option that move will likely result in the costliest footwear. The secret to the best selection at the most savings ...

Hire a "day of" coordinator. Doing it all yourself on the day of the wedding is like directing and starring in your own production. It’s doable, for sure, but it is a lot more work and likely to be less ...

One of the most important facets of a wedding has nothing to do with the day itself but is your memories years and decades later. This is why the photographer and videographer are so important. The images they create, edit, ...

There is much truth to the observation that every bride is beautiful. In her own way, each glows with happiness and excitement. What could be more beautiful than that? The secret is starting early so you have time to cultivate ...

If you are having your wedding on the same day in the same place as another wedding, both of you can use the decorations and split the cost. One of you can take care of set-up and the other take-down, ...

The musical entertainment for your wedding and reception can take many forms, ranging from pre-recordings, organists or other instrumentalists, live vocalists, solo artists, bands, and/or DJs. On the expensive end of the spectrum you have a choir, soloists, and organist ...

So you are engaged, have sent save the dates, are trying to figure out how to stay within your tight wedding budget, and now need a wedding registry. While it may be tempting to go with a higher end store, ...

While you can certainly hire a planner to handle everything between your engagement and honeymoon, some will, if you choose, also plan only certain parts of the wedding, such as handling all the details related to your out-of-town guests or ...

Often, one's first inclination about desserts for the wedding is to go to the most popular local bakery that specializes in wedding cakes and order a cake large enough to feed everyone at the reception. While you can be assured ...

Do not underestimate the impact of time on your wedding—your time, as well as that of your helpers and vendors. Just like money, there is a finite amount of time that must be spent wisely. 1. Consider "opportunity cost" before ...

If you are purchasing a diamond or other expensive ring, the seller is likely to have financing available. At first blush, this may sound like a good idea, but do you really want to begin married life with extra debt ...

When it comes to the flowers, DIY could mean buying all the components and literally creating every floral piece, or it could mean buying finished or semi-finished bouquets and decorations from various nontraditional sources. In either case, you take on ...

Buy your tiara online where you can find better bargains. Take a look here for ideas. The wedding ideas on a budget are from the Dream Wedding on a Dime; 7 Secrets for the Budget-Savvy Bride ebook ...

If someone you know already has the perfect piece, ask if you can use it as your "something borrowed." And there is no reason you cannot have multiple borrowed items! The wedding ideas on a budget are from the Dream ...

There are many details to think about when planning a wedding—a few of which may not be top-of-mind when first thinking about costs. The table linens are one example. Buying them at full cost can be a surprise blow to ...

It only makes sense that the longer drinks are available, the larger the bar bill will be. Consequently, there are various ways to offer "the good stuff" while also staying within a budget. One is to limit the amount of ...

While you can cut wedding costs by hiring a DJ or doing the movie yourself, you may find it important to have live entertainment. Even if you feel you must have a live band for the full reception, there are ...

As any bride will tell you, even though planning a wedding is an exciting and happy time, it can also be one filled with anxiety. There is so much to do, so many decisions to make, and often so many ...

Compare prices when you buy or order flowers. The same type of flowers can dramatically vary in cost from one source to another. I found a HUGE range in prices while researching flower costs for the Dream Wedding on a ...

Buy as much as you can used. Many used wedding items are in like-new or nearly new condition. Find several categories of items with free shipping--such as centerpieces, bridal jewelry, or cake/dessert stands (for example)--at used.MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com ...

A wedding budget may sound like a lot of money until the costs begin to accumulate. It’s then you realize even what seem to be small expenditures add up quickly. Smart brides take steps to manage the money before costs ...

A good part of the population nearly faints or panics (or both) when hearing what the average wedding costs these days. There is no need for either. As it turns out, higher-income weddings skew the average (that's math-speak for "sends ...

Find free or discount wedding entertainment through friends and family. Knowing someone in the band or a talented vocalist can have its privileges. Ask about having them perform at a discount as a wedding gift to you. The above is ...

Buy the groom's suit or tuxedo pre-owned. While it may not be practical for the groomsmen, the groom can certainly find a suit or tuxedo at a less-than-rental price, and he can resell or wear it later. (As of this ...

Include only the core wedding group in the rehearsal dinner. If funds are severely limited, this may be your only option. Do express your gratitude in other ways, however, to those who were especially helpful during the wedding planning or ...

The choices themselves—what types of food, how much, and ingredients used to prepared each dish—go a long way in determining how much your reception meal will cost. There are several ways you can cut down without necessarily downsizing the wedding ...

Buy pre-owned when you can through local resale stores or eBay. Then, resell the items after the wedding. The above is from the Dream Wedding on a Dime; 7 Secrets for the Budget-Savvy Bride ebook ...

When you book the venue for your wedding you are entering into a business agreement. While the person you are working with is probably not deceptive, she is in business to make a profit. It is prudent, therefore, to ask ...

The food can be one of the largest line items on a wedding budget. If your wedding is very informal and you want the atmosphere to be more of a casual get-together among friends and family than a traditional event, ...

There are several approaches to savings that apply to all (or nearly all) pieces of the bride's ensemble. Here are some ideas, followed by tips related to the veil, headpiece, and slips (petticoats) ... 1. Choose accessories you can reuse ...

Send save-the-dates to only your closest friends and family. The rest of the guests can receive invitations only. This tip is from the Dream Wedding on a Dime; 7 Secrets for the Budget-Savvy Bride ebook ...

To save money on faux fur or other special-occasion coat, shop during cool-weather clearance, usually January or February. Nice cardigans are another option for women in the wedding party, even the bride.This tip is from the Dream Wedding on a ...

While saving money on the meal is great when you are working with a limited budget, adding to the guest experience is important as well. There are ways to do that without spending a lot (or any) extra money. One ...

A full bar, with bartender and a selection of premium liquors—along with a champagne toast—can put quite a large dent in the reception budget. But "all out" is not your only option. There is a whole range of low-budget solutions ...

Ask a photographer friend or family to work the wedding as a gift. Then pay for the prints yourself. This tip is from the Dream Wedding on a Dime; 7 Secrets for the Budget-Savvy Bride ebook ...

(Tips are from the Dream Wedding on a Dime; 7 Secrets for the Budget-Savvy Bride ebook, which contains 300+ tips and ideas for saving on your wedding.) Consider buying digital photos and/or raw video footage from your wedding. In the ...

Savings secret #4 in Dream Wedding on a Dime; 7 Secrets for the Budget-Savvy Bride is "Recycling Saves More Than the Planet." Choosing items you can use in everyday life, buying pre-owned, selling products, and donating to charities all help ...

Congratulations to everyone who got engaged over Christmas. As you embark on the journey of planning the wedding, remember it will not go 100% according to plan. That's OK! If you know what is most important to you, you will ...

What you ultimately pay from your budget shrinks proportionately when you find multiple ways to lower the cost of items or services—shopping for the best value plus getting an added discount, having others pitch in on the cost of a ...

Sometimes, all you have to do is ask—to borrow, for extra perks from vendors, to be given parts of the wedding as gifts from family and friends, or for additional help with the wedding. There are several facets of your ...

Creatively mixing vendor services, help from others, purchased items, and/or DIY projects often results in the best value. You may be tempted to try planning the entire wedding yourself, with only the help of family and friends. Actually, all but ...

Choosing items you can use in everyday life, buying pre-owned, selling products, and donating to charities all have a positive impact on the bottom-line cost of your wedding. Typically, one buys everything new for the wedding, and most of it ...

There are options beyond the traditional for every decision you make. Products and services can be bought from "non-wedding" vendors, or you can take the DIY route. You can utilize items in less-than-usual ways or even skip a tradition entirely, ...

Do not underestimate the impact of time on your wedding—your time, as well as that of your helpers and vendors. Just like money, there is a finite amount of time that must be spent wisely. You may be inclined to ...

Knowing where the money is coming from, finding ways to spend it wisely, and earning more from it in between are all key to keeping your spending under control and making sure what you owe does not exceed what you ...

While there are many ways to create a do-it-yourself menu for your wedding, it is not always practical. Plus, the traditional approach to wedding food can be much less stressful. Fortunately, you can save when going the full-service route as ...

We sometimes think a small budget means doing everything ourselves and giving up on the dream wedding. Not necessarily. The good news is that the dream can survive the pinch! It will, however, require thoughtful spending. Planning your dream wedding ...

One way to save money on your wedding is to spend less time planning! Here are statistics from the Association of Bridal Consultants and Simply Bridal showing how much you save by having a last-minute one-month wedding... Enjoy! ...

While it is easy to get sucked into the glamour of large, expensive diamonds, few of us can afford to buy those big baubles. The easiest way is to avoid the thought from the beginning, but if you've gone down ...

You probably automatically assumed, since you had little money for the wedding, that you should keep it within your city. Depending on where you live, this may or may not be true. The average wedding cost varies dramatically from state ...

When it comes to items for your wedding, there several routes that can help you save money. In addition to the Five Rules for Planning Your DIY-Budget Wedding there are five additional steps you can take. Here are all 10 ...

Traditionally, your ceremony takes place at one location, then everyone meets back again later at the reception venue. Unfortunately, from a cost and logistics perspective that can get a bit cumbersome. The photographer is going to multiple places, everyone needs ...

It's the day you have been waiting for your whole life and you want it to be perfect--a serene ceremony as you and your husband-to-be gaze into each others' eyes and solemnly say your vows. And then he says "waffley" ...

When it comes to vendors, your priorities and the talents available to you partially determine whether you will actually save by doing it yourself (in both dollars and sanity). After you've decided which you will use, there are several techniques ...

No matter how you plan your wedding, it takes a lot of people to make it happen: vendors, other wedding professionals, family, friends, and yourself. The way you combine their available skills will determine how well your day fits both ...

Simply put, it pays to be organized. We've all heard the term "running around like a chicken with her head cut off." That's what can happen if you are disorganized. Circumstances spiral out of control and you begin to spin ...

One way to save money on a wedding is to negotiate with vendors and venues. How aggressively you bargain depends on your comfort level, so if you are hesitant about haggling you may want to hire a planner to help; ...

"The more you love your decisions the less you need others to love them." -Unknown ...

If you are like a lot of people, chances are you have to watch spending. It helps if you make it fun or otherwise interesting. I've always enjoyed looking for and finding bargains. In fact, a particular cousin frequently jokes ...

Pulling off your "dream wedding on a limited budget" means utilizing techniques that have worked for others. In that spirit, I've found three recent blog posts from around the Web that will help you do just that. I've outlined 12 ...

The first thing that probably popped into your head was "gifts." You are partially right, but I am talking about earning money from the funds you will ultimately spend on your wedding (or avoiding that spending all together). See, in ...

The registry you use can actually earn you more than only the gifts you receive. Some offer free merchandise and other perks. Most give you a one-time 10% off after the wedding, but if that's all they offer, you can ...

As you may have noticed, MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com has a new look! The logo's new as is our bride, diligently searching for just the right products for her wedding. I've also been changing the site structure to more clearly match the "Create ...

Father's Day, June 17, is nearly upon us--next weekend, if you can believe it. If you haven't bought gifts yet--like me--it's time to think about it (I never know what to get Tim lately...hope to get ideas while I write ...

Around the Web today... Floral Wedding Trends. Sarah Pitts of Bachman's in Minneapolis shares several wedding flower trends they are seeing. Many track with what I've been seeing universally online as well. She packs a lot of tips and ideas ...

Most of us know the best time to shop can be around a holiday. Not only THE Holidays in December, but any of the others as well. You can get the largest selection online, without taking extra time to go ...

The months leading up to your wedding are a busy time--for both you and your vendors. You are not only choosing and coordinating details, but taking care of your everyday responsibilities as well. Your vendors are likely juggling several other ...

Below is an interesting and entertaining video from Planet Money. They research the labor and material cost of an expensive designer wedding gown and concluded the dress the reporter bought was a rip off because the total of the two ...

This is an excerpt from Chapter 6: "Budgeting Blunders: Avoiding & Overcoming Them" by Desiree M. Mondesir, in the ebook Insider's Know How--Planning Your Perfect Wedding. Find it on Amazon, for Kindle here, or on the publisher's website in other ...

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Aprille Trupiano of StreetScape TV, who interviewed me about bringing the Internet into the wedding planning process. We talk about wedding trends and tactics for planning your dream wedding with a DIY budget ...

'Couples heading for the altar are bidding adieu to traditional "I do's"...' So begins the "Unique Wedding Ideas" article, by Robin Seaton Jefferson, in the spring 2012 edition of Streetscape magazine. The article goes on to explain that the modern ...

The Web is full of wonderful wedding planning tips! As I run across especially good ones I tend to share them, plus other tidbits, with social media followers. Below are highlights from this week. There are times when you can't ...

In honor of Valentine's day, we pulled a card from Deborah Weltman's innovative and motivational card deck: “A Seeker’s Guide to Internal Paradigm Shift… 75 What if…? Cards to Guide and Bless Your Day” Below, Deb asks the question "What ...

Choosing your Maid of Honor isn't as simple as it looks. Nowhere else in your wedding planning is it easier for vexing problems to turn up! Why? Because the Maid of Honor's duties are often vaguely defined, and worse, poorly ...

You have found the perfect wedding shoes for the ceremony as well as cute flats to wear outside and at the reception. There's only one problem--those to-die-for ceremony heels are much higher than you can gracefully navigation. No fear! There ...

Planning a wedding is literally a "spending marathon," beginning with the engagement ring(s) and ending with the honeymoon. It can be tough keeping track of how much you have spent and how much is left. One way to keep it ...

The first place most of us think of when shopping for a wedding gown is the local corner bridal store or David's Bridal (Sidenote: Save $50 on select David's Bridal exclusive bridal gown styles here). We are, however, in the ...

If there are 40- or 50- something ladies in the wedding party (or if the makeup artist is going to do the MOB / MOG), be sure he or she understands the needs of less-than-new skin. A friend of mine ...

As I mentioned yesterday, used wedding dresses are a great source for a cheap wedding dress. Another idea for saving money is to purchase new gowns made to resemble designer dresses. In general, you order the gown based on a ...

Many of you on a tight budget (which is probably shrinking as gas prices rise and keep rising) are likely considering looking at used wedding dresses. If you leave your options open and allow plenty of time for used dress ...

Exposure to sun is a good news-bad news proposition. The good news is that it’s the best source of vitamin D and gives you a healthy glow. The bad news is that too much sun dries out your skin, creates ...

Bridal hair combs are perfect accents on your wedding day. They can enhance most hairstyles, from classic to ornate. They can be simple, but elegant, depending on how they are decorated, but can also create a less formal look than ...

Wedding dresses are made smaller than regular clothing, so if you are an average US woman (163 pounds*), don't be too surprised if you unexpectedly find yourself needing a plus size wedding gown. I, for example, generally wear a size ...

Which jewelry pieces you choose for your bridal jewelry ensemble is up to you. You may have a tiara, necklace, earrings, back jewelry, bracelet, and/or bridal hair jewelry. You should, however, keep the total effect in mind. Here are some ...

Want to accentuate your neck, Audrey Hepburn style? Try a wedding updo. It can be as simple as a French twist or as elaborate as a mass of individually styled ringlets. Before making a final decision, consdier this: some updos ...

Planning is a key ingredient for successful wedding jewelry shopping. That means you should choose and purchase the bridal and wedding party jewelry early enough to allow time for exchanges or alterations. You do not want to don your jewelry ...

If your gown is low cut in the back, or altogether backless, you may want to dress it up with back jewelry. Your back, after all, will be to your guests during most of the ceremony. Back-drape necklaces, with varying ...

There are several approaches to finding the least expensive shoes for your wedding. You can monitor local department and bridal store sales, but the largest selection -- by far -- is online. Shoe store Websites often permanently discount shoes or ...

If you want your big day to be flawless, leave nothing to chance, especially the dress. In fact, begin shopping for your wedding dress eight to twelve months ahead of time. No matter what anyone tells you, there are some ...

When you look through wedding photos 20 years from now, the last thing you want is to cringe at the site of your hair (those of you old enough, remember 80's frizz? OMG). Your wedding hairstyle can range from very ...

You will be the center of attention, so clear, glowing skin will never be more important than on your wedding day. If you have your complexion under control, then keep up the same good habits in the months leading up ...

Speaking of wedding dresses, we are now learning first hand the importance of keeping a checklist. After not too long, the whole dress shopping process is a whirlwind of tulle, satin, and embellishments. It's easy to create your own a ...