Selling Used Wedding DecorationsOne easy way to stretch your wedding budget is by reselling the decorations that made it so special. This will not only help you, but also the bride and groom that get them.
Wedding Favor/PlacecardsI have inherited a large amount of fancy vintage silverware. I would like to incorporated into our daughters wedding. Any ideas or suggestions for place cards, favors, attached poems, initials, embellishments etc. would be appreciated.
We Tied the Knot . . . and It Didn't Cost a Lot!Trying to stick with a $1,000 wedding reception budget is a challenge. So I knew I had to be "extra creative" with reception refreshments so we didn't come across as cheap. I decided to have a pretzel bar.
Giving Money as a Wedding FavorA card that says "For Richer, For Poorer" on pink paperHere is a way to have inexpensive but fun wedding favors, by purchasing $1 scratch-off lottery tickets. Get pennies with the year you are getting married. Place them in personalized envelopes and have someone pass them out at your party entrance! :)
Plan a Lunchtime Wedding ReceptionIf you are on a budget or want more bang for your buck, I would highly look into having a lunch wedding reception versus a dinner reception. Chances are you will be paying less per person during lunch and I was even able to upgrade to a dual plate for less than one plate during dinner. Try to aim at the latest lunch slot available so it's in-between a late lunch and early dinner.
Plan a Lunchtime Wedding ReceptionIf you are on a budget or want more bang for your buck, I would highly look into having a lunch wedding reception versus a dinner reception. Chances are you will be paying less per person during lunch and I was even able to upgrade to a dual plate for less than one plate during dinner.
Matri-moneyHere is a way to have inexpensive but fun wedding favors, by purchasing $1 scratch-off lottery tickets. Get pennies with the year you are getting married. Place them in personalized envelopes and have someone pass them out at your party entrance!
Saving the Wedding Bouquet Instead of Giving it AwayOne way to "save" your wedding bouquet and give it away at the same time is to make two. The one you keep can be fresh flowers or as in this case made with faux blooms for long term display.
Bride and Groom Wedding Chair SignsThis pretty signs can be displayed on the bride and groom's chairs or the doors of the changing rooms at your venue. Learn how to make them in the craft project found on this page.
Wedding Emergency KitSometimes it's literally the little things that can make the day most stressful. By packing a small emergency kit with things you think you may need just in case, they can really come in handy when time is important!
Tahitian 50th Wedding AnniversaryPlan an exotic wedding anniversary party by honoring a different culture's traditions. Here, a traditional Tahitian wedding is recreated, including colorful dancers.
Bringing in a Re-Vow for Under $300Many married couples decide to renew their vows later, often during a big anniversary party. It doesn't have to be expensive with these clever frugal techniques.
Bookmark Online Wedding PurchasesIf you are making online purchases for an upcoming wedding, be sure to check periodically for sales and discounts. It's a great way to save even more on the big day.
Saving the Wedding Bouquet Instead of Giving it AwayI made two bouquets for my daughter's wedding. One of them is for the bride to toss and the other one is made from silk flowers. I designed the bouquet to fit in a large bowl shaped vase, with styrofoam in the bottom for the handle of the bouquet, so that she can display it as a centerpiece on her dining room table after she is married.
Weddings in the Time of CororavirusA wedding is a happy time for friends and family but can be especially dangerous during a pandemic. Much of the country is shut down due to the coronavirus, with gatherings of over 50 people discouraged and many venues closed for the duration. This is quite a problem for couples planning a spring wedding. Here is some advice to consider when deciding what to do.
Bride and Groom Wedding Chair SignsThese bride & groom signs are perfect to display on your wedding chairs or to display on your get ready for wedding room door knobs. This is an inexpensive project to make and you will have lots of supplies left over for future projects.
Bringing in a Re-Vow for Under 300 (Part 2)Now that the dress and the veil were done, we set upon seeing how much we had to spend on fabric for the flower girls' outfits and their flower baskets. In Tucson, we had fabric discount places and we found the cutest pastel fabric for simple skirts.
Curtains for Inexpensive Table DressingTo save money on your table dressings, instead of tablecloths, use curtains. Lace curtains can be from 44-88 inches long and are a lot cheaper than table cloths. Place over white plastic table liners, which you purchase by the rolls at party stores. You can even use white plastic shower curtains, which can be cut to double the length of use. You can save a lot of money.
Using Tea Candles on TablesTo make your use of tea candles on your tables sparkle, inside of the clear bowl you are using, pour table salt about a third of the way from the bottom. Place your tea light candle in and squish it around so that most of it is covered by the salt.
We Tied the Knot . . . and It Didn't Cost a Lot!Trying to stick with a $1,000 wedding reception budget is a challenge. So I knew I had to be "extra creative" with reception refreshments so we didn't come across as cheap. I decided to have a pretzel bar.
Mother-of-the-Groom Outfit Ideas?As the mother of the groom you may be asked to wear a certain color. Otherwise check with the bride's mother and the bride for colors being worn by the rest of the wedding party. Then choose a dress in a color that complements but does not match. The style can be chosen using the same criteria.
Decorating a Pub for a Wedding?Decorating a pub for your wedding reception is easy. Carry over your wedding colors, using flowers, balloons, and centerpieces to design the decor. This page offers some helpful suggestions.
Mother of the Bride Outfit Ideas?As the mother of the bride, clothing choices are typically made to complement the bride's wedding colors, but not match them.
Sewing A Wedding GownSewing a wedding gown can be done. It does help if you have some experience and training, especially if the gown is intricate in its design. Try to find a pattern that appeals or combine a couple to get the look you like.
Ladies Toiletry Basket For EntertainingFind out how to decorate and fill a ladies toiletry basket that can be made available to guests at a wedding or other gathering.
What To Wear for a Second Marriage?There are some typical recommendations for what a bride should wear for a second marriage. Tradition usually moves away from white to ivory or beige dresses that range from formal to more of a suit. But keep in mind it is your day and dressing as you wish is equally important. This page offers a range of suggestions.
Planning A Spring Wedding?Seasonal wedding plans often include choosing colors and flowers that fit the time of year. Spring provides a wide range of fresh flower choices. This page contains several suggestions for planning your spring wedding.
Bridesmaid Hairstyle Ideas?Choosing a pleasing and comfortable hair style to wear as a bridesmaid does not need to be stressful. Be yourself and enjoy the event. There are some helpful suggestions on this page.
Planning a Wedding Celebration After the Ceremony?Having a wedding celebration after the wedding is a good way to allow family and friends who were unable to attend the ceremony to celebrate with the new couple. It can be as formal or informal as you like, sit down or a backyard party.
Embellishing a Wedding Gown?Embellishing a plain wedding dress may be one way to save money or personalize the gown. Embellishments can be purchased from your local fabric/craft store. If you are not an experienced seamstress or crafter you may want to seek advice and help before you begin.
Decorating Chairs for a WeddingOften the chairs available at the wedding venue of your choice are plain, sometimes unattractive folding metal ones. This page contains tips for decorating them.
My Frugal WeddingWhen my boyfriend and I decided to get married on our one year anniversary of dating, we didn't give ourselves a lot of time for planning or saving, just a few months. However, we still managed to have a beautiful and very frugal wedding with help from all our friends and family.
Bringing in a Re-Vow for Under 300 (Part 1)Nope, that isn't a typo. In 2001, I drove from Washington to Arizona to help with my sister's re-vow. For many reasons, I kind of got stuck there and my job gave me lots of time to "brainstorm".
Flower Advice for a Fall Wedding?Choosing the flowers for your wedding is a serious part of the planning. The time of year can set some constraints on your choices, although alternatively you can go with faux flowers in any color. If you are planning a fall wedding some good fresh flower choices are mums and sunflowers.
Using Lavender in Wedding Bouquets?Lavender is a symbol of love and devotion, as well as said to bring good luck. It is also an inexpensive addition to a wedding bouquet. If the fresh lavender in your wedding bouquets keep drooping try the idea offered on this page.
Do Not Do It All YourselfMake your decorations, make your dress and bouquet, make whatever you want yourself, but, have other people set up, hang up, do the actual decorating on your big day! Have multiple, multiple people for every task that needs to be done and DO NOT let people use this time to make things up to you!'You could end up without a cake, like me.
Bookmark Online Wedding PurchasesI inputted all of my wedding purchases on an Excel Spreadsheet with links if applicable. By referencing my Excel Spreadsheet (or you can bookmark your wedding purchases), I was able to save an additional $73.65 on my wedding dress.
Displaying Wedding Cards in a Photo Collage FrameOne fun way to display cards that you received for your wedding is to place them in a photo collage frame.
Creating a Wedding SlideshowA wedding slide show can be used for a presentation at the wedding reception or even used for the wedding rehearsal. It helps the guests share the couple's special relationship.
Masking Stains on a Wedding GownBetween the wedding and the reception it is not unusual for a wedding dress to get stained along the bottom or elsewhere. One trick is to have a tube of plain white toothpaste handy. Learn how to mask stains on a wedding dress.
Bird Seed Heart Wedding FavorsBird seed is a traditional way to shower the departing newlywed couple. Instead of the mess, use these heart shaped wedding favors. Your guests can enjoy feeding their own backyard birds in remembrance of your big day.
Photos of WeddingsChoosing a special theme for your wedding instead of traditional, can make it especially fun for you and your guests. Here's some unusual wedding photos.
Stress Reducing Tips For A Do-It-Yourself WeddingPlanning a wedding can be absolutely stressy. There are a lot of suggestions on this page for planning a do-it-yourself wedding, from making the bridesmaid dresses, to money saving tips for all aspects of the ceremony and reception.
Wedding Party Gift IdeasIt is customary to present small gifts to the wedding party. This page contains gift ideas for the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Adding Fresh Flowers to Cake DecorationAn inexpensive twist for wedding cake decoration is fresh flowers. It's important to keep the cake protected when using these flowers as decorations so it will be safe to eat.
Inexpensive Wedding Table Number/Menu HolderThese table number and menu holders were made inexpensively, using IKEA frames that can display photos or other inclusions on both sides. Decorate as desired and set them out for your reception dinner.
Succulent Plant Wedding FavorGive your wedding guests a living favor gift. Learn how to make these "Let Love Grow" wedding favors, using painted plastic pots and succulent cuttings.
Using Picture Frames to Decorate at a WeddingPicture frames can be used to decorate at a wedding. Choose colors and styles to complement your theme. Insert menus and other information for a nice touch on the guestbook or gift table or seating tables at the reception.
Giving Dollar Store Candles A Wedding UpgradeUse wrapping paper, ribbon, and other embellishments to upgrade Dollar Store pillar candles in a jar. Use them for weddings and other events on guest tables or anywhere you need a bit of lovely luminous decor.
Making a Gift Box Wedding Table DisplayBeautifully wrapped empty gift boxes can be used as lovely displays for a wedding. Place them on the guest tables or on the gift table itself. This same decor idea will work for other events.
Tahitian 50th Wedding AnniversaryYour 50th wedding anniversary is just as important to you as the day you got married. When my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, they wanted to do some unique. My parents are from two different cultures and my father is French and my mother is American. They are now living in the United States so I decided to bring a little bit of the French and American culture together on this special day.
No DJ at Our WeddingThe average cost of hiring a DJ in my city for a wedding ranges from $900 to $1,500, if not more. My husband and I cut that cost out by not having a DJ at our wedding.
Save Your Wedding ReceiptsEverything that you purchased for your wedding, do save your receipts. Just toss all of those receipts in a shoe box and label it "Wedding" or the event/celebration you are hosting. Add all the receipts in the box as you purchase and it makes budgeting easier (by documenting the receipts in a spreadsheet if you'd like).
Making Painted Rock Party FavorsPersonalized painted rocks can be used for a variety of special occasions, such as weddings, birthdays, etc. Add colors, words, pressed flowers, stickers, whatever you like that completes the theme or conveys the significance of the event. Learn how here.
Making a Wedding Countdown FrameA cute framed reminder to add to your decor is a wedding countdown frame. Easy to make with materials you most likely already have.
How to Make a Floral Glass Jar Wedding FavorUsed colored mod podge to coat a recycled jar, add decorations such as paper flowers and a bow to the top. Fill with chocolates or something else of your choice and you have a beautiful handmade wedding favor.
Giving Dollar Store Candles A Wedding UpgradeThe Dollar store has these lovely 8 inch tall candles that are perfect as a centerpiece for guest tables, vignette display, etc. They come in clear glass bottles that I will customize. You can take this look from bridal look to all occasion look with $1 candles and wrapping paper of your choice, giving your guest table a more upscale look.
Gift Box Wedding Table DisplayThis is a creative way to stretch those wedding dollars! Right now is the best time to get gift boxes. You can get them in multi packs and at reasonable prices. And let's not forget after the holidays, you can get the boxes for near to nothing. By using beautiful wrap and ribbon, you can make smaller boxes as guest table placements and use the tiered boxes for the gift table, or simply as wedding decor throughout the venue. You can give a festive look for very little money. This display can also be made for every holiday beyond your wedding event!
Financial Planning Before Getting MarriedBeing in love can sometimes blind a couple to the importance of knowing your partner's financial position and spending habits. Making a financial plan will help get you off to a good start.
Let Love Grow Wedding Favor GiftAre you on a budget for your wedding? You can make your own wedding favor gifts! For this project, I only needed to purchase spray paint and ribbon (actually ribbon would be optional to save even more money if you wanted), then the rest of the supplies I already had on hand.
Frugal Wedding LocationsWedding can be extremely expensive, but there are lots of ways to help keep the cost down if you have the time to do some research. One cost saving idea is finding a frugal location for the ceremony. Local parks are one possibility, weather permitting.
Using Mirrors For Your Wedding TableUse mirrors under the decorations on your table for a wedding reception or a dinner party. They can lend an extra layer of beauty to a candlelit affair.
Making a Succulent CenterpieceRecycled food jars, decorative rocks, TP tubes, soil, and succulent cuttings are the main items needed to make living centerpieces for a wedding.
DIY Folded Name Place CardsLearn how to make original, handcrafted folded placecards. They are perfect for a wedding reception, party, or other get together with assigned table seating.
Making a Wedding Dress Greeting CardThis fun wedding dress greeting card was designed using paper doilies and ribbon roses attached to a kraft paper backing. The instructions, supplies, and photos needed to make some yourself can be found on this page.
Inexpensive Wedding Table Number/Menu HolderIf you have an IKEA nearby, I highly recommend TOLSBY frame for 2 pictures - it is only $1.00 and is perfect to use for wedding table number and menus!
Homemade Wedding Cake Topper IdeasCreating your own wedding cake topper is not only fun, it is a way to show your creativity or say something about yourself on this special day. This page offers some ideas about homemade wedding cake toppers.
Wedding Reception Table TopperWeddings can be very expensive. One place you can, not only save money but also, exhibit your creativity and personal taste is by making your own table toppers for the reception. This page contains steps and photos you will need to make a table topper or get ideas for your own version.
Adding Fresh Flowers to Cake DecorationHere is a tutorial on how to add fresh flowers to a cake while also making the cake food safe.
Remove Glass from Picture FramesIf you are using picture frames for wedding decor, I would recommend removing the glass insert. During transporting, the glass could break. Also, when taking photos of picture frames, there will be a reflection
A DIY Wedding May Not Be The Best OptionWhen you think of a DIY wedding, think twice and calculate the details first. Always determine and limit your budget. Do-it-yourself requires so much time and effort so you have to prepare ahead of time.
