These are a few tips and tricks that I have implemented so far. I think big, elaborate weddings are great but it just didn't work with our budget, plus I love being thrifty and seeing such a money saving idea come to life!
a) research save the dates/invitation making
-I wanted to make the "tie the knot" save the dates so there was no way around ME making them. (as seen in the save-the-date post) I bought 4 packages of 50 brown folding cards/envelopes. They were 50% off so they came out to be roughly $4 a package. I researched where to print them in Lubbock and found a place that would do them all for $50. For all 200 cards, I didn't even use an entire roll of Jutte, but the roll was $3.99 then I used a 40% coupon. I found that this process was a lot cheaper, allowed me to do exactly what I wanted, and was a fun way to start visually seeing my efforts in wedding planning from the start.
b) Hand deliver as many cards as possible!
-one thing I hadn't thought about budgeting for was....stamps! Each stamp is .46 cents. So, for 200 invitations, thats $92 spent on stamps alone. Then, if you do 200 formal invitations as well, thats another $92 dollars. Then, if you do an included RSVP card, go on ahead and add an additional $92 dollars. I had delivered 50% of my save the dates to both Lubbock friends and hometown friends when I visited home. I also am opting out of having an RSVP card with my formal invitation, instead, when I print my formal invitations I'll include multiple ways to RSVP: using weddingwire.com and going to our RSVP section, calling me, emailing me.
c) use what you have for decorations
-Most of my decor is DIY anyways, so I knew getting the supplies would mostly come from thrifting. My neighbor had a garage sale the other weekend and I got TWENTY vases for a crazy good price! I also have two frames that I've painted for my bathroom that I'll be repainting with chalkboard paint to use at our reception, so they're free. There's SO many ideas with this, but I want to wait until my vision comes to life for some :)
d) don't buy/rent wedding party wardrobes
-This is pretty untypical, but with the new trend of mismatch dresses, it works. I asked my bridesmaids to pick a navy dress that THEY like. That way, it's theres. They can buy one for $10 or $200, but it's there doing, and they'll wear it again. I'm not completely sure how we're doing the groomsmen yet, but along the same lines I'm sure.
e) be willing to compromise.
-This was something I did not want to do, but once the reality of the cost sets in, it only makes sense. I was adamant to have the white, wood folding chairs as the seating for my outdoor ceremony. However, they would be $300 more than the plastic white. Once I realized how short of a time the ceremony was, I agreed to having the plastic white chairs instead.
much, much more to come!
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