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Yesterday Jennifer posted about how some companies are raking in the money on weddings. This is their busiest time of the year too. Most brides have already gotten their affairs in order if they are getting married this summer, but for future brides I wanted to share a few tips that Jennifer and I came up with about how we both saved on our weddings.

When I got married a few years ago, things were expensive, it seems to me that prices haven’t changed that much, but technology has and there are a lot more options for frugal brides. The first thing I wish I would have been able to do was to order flowers over the internet. Some people have allergies to real flowers, and silk flowers have come a long way, so the best thing to do is order the bouquets online. Jennifer told me that she was able to get all the bridal party flowers for around $50, which included going to Hobby Lobby for some extra flowers for the simple bridesmaids bouquets.

I saved a ton of money versus other brides just by having my wedding at a venue that was free. For some it’s the church that they go to, for me it was my parents’ house in the country. It was nice and completely free. This also meant that we didn’t have to hire anyone special to do anything like some venues do. At some reception halls, the coordinator makes you hire a certain caterer or other professional.

The best advice that I can give any new brides, that may not have a wedding date picked out, is you will definitely get more bang for your buck if you decide to get married during the “off season.” There are fewer weddings in the winter and spring than there are during the summer months (particularly May, June, and July). So, during the winter months the venues are cheaper and some of the caterers, decorations, and other “wedding” vendors are too. It’s the same principle that says that cars are less expensive at the end of the month…people are just looking for business.

This also means that I you are a June bride, then you can buy your wedding decorations and other things (like silk flowers) during the winter months to save some money.

One of the things that ate a lot of budget for my wedding was the wedding cake. Jennifer told me that she was able to ask around and find a friend who knew someone who was a cake decorator and she was able to get the cake for 30 people for less than $150 people, plus a top tier. I was able to get a friend to cater my wedding for a fraction of the price any other caterer would charge…I basically had to just pay for food and the dishes.

So to sum it up:

- Try to get married during the off season
- If you have a date already set, buy whatever you can during the off season
- If you have allergies or like silk flowers, get your flowers online
- Use your contacts and friends for whatever you can to get discounted decorations, cake, etc.
- Hold your wedding at a venue that is inexpensive or free
- The Hobby Lobby/Marshall’s is your best friend

Jeremy

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