Wedding Planning

http://www.oriental.com
This place has some very nice but cheap wedding accessories! I'm getting a lot of stuff from here, and its almost all sized in bulk!

I also would suggest-Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Walmart, & K-Mart

For napkins, plates, silverware-if you are going with paper and plastic-check out your local dollar store they have a million colors in there of these or Party America Store.

Congrats! I know these places have helped me-my wedding is Sept 27th
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By dkcjb2008 on Jan 23, 2009

Colors sound great . . . sounds like it is all coming together for you.

For budget-wedding hints, check out the budget brides bio from theknot.com.
http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/user/page.aspx?username=BudgetBridesBio

For invitations, I recommend
http://www.invitationsbydawn.com/
I have seen invitations there for as low as $42 per hundred. If you can DIY for less, then go for it.

Other DIY hints can be found here:
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/gifandpac.html
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By Suz123 on Jan 23, 2009

Congrats!!!! I'm planning a wedding myself …for October. Here is what I have found to be exceptionally helpful.

Go to the craigslist.com for your local city and place an ad saying you are looking for wedding decor etc etc. Many Many people throw out their stuff, a week or so after they get back from their honeymoon. If they see your ad, they will think of helping you. I have had MANY WONDERFUL people give me their things they didn't use or gently used.

Freecycle in yahoo groups in your area do the same thing, and any free online classified ads. You can find all kinds of great deals online in your community.

Go to Micheal's online, Hobby Lobby online and register for their savings.. You can get 50% off coupons within a week of registering, that has helped me tramendously.

Get all your girlfriends together and find out who is good at what, or who they know that will do what for cheap. Sometimes, you don't always know who your friends know. They may have a friend dating a DJ , etc etc.. Put all of your creative friends and family together and come up with some great decorating ideas.

Also, Google…. Type in November or Fall wedding and then click on Imagines there you can just scroll pictures and pictures of great ideas from other weddings, just jot them down and run with them.

And lastly Join a Bridal forum…. I'll warn you ahead of time, some forums have Bridezilla written all over them….but there are actually very GREAT forums and many of them discuss how to keep a low budget…
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Getting married October 11th, 2008

By Nikki M on Jan 23, 2009

How about doing some DIY and make your inviations on computer, most programs can supply information on how to do it.

Also how about making your own table decorations, ul be so proud of yourself when it all comes together…. take a look;

Pick up shells from the beach nearby, you may even paint them in your colours
http://www.hotref.com/category/21/shell-candle-holder-wedding-favors_2167_r.jpg

floating candles, easily done and look stunning at a dinner setting and so easy to make;
http://allwhitecandles.easystorecreator.com/images/tn_Picture%20001.jpg
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By chefperry on Jan 23, 2009

My wife and I planned and paid for our own wedding. We bought our cake topper and the cake server and knife, as well as the champagne flutes on Ebay, I made the cake holder out of some metal tubing I had and spray painted it. My wife baked our cakes, we rented a small covered pavillion at our local county park. We were able to find a dress shop in town and had a dress made for $75. I bought my slacks, shirt and tie from Walmart. We bought a packet of invitations from Staples and printed them oursleves. Like the others have said, try Hobby Lobby and places like that for low cost items. Good luck and congratulations.
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By minister_d76 on Jan 23, 2009

There are so many ways to cut costs – it's time to get creative!

I am all about recycling. We're having a small outdoor wedding and reception and we are going for a casual yet chic look. Our guests will dine at wood picnic tables (well sanded!), though we are using formal place settings. For our centerpieces, instead of buying vases, I'm using mason jars that I have either saved from my own kitchen or found at antique stores. In addition to the flowers, we plan to fill the base of some with sea glass that I've gathered over the years and others with smooth grey stones. We will also hang these jars from low tree branches and set small candles in them. This was more about the look I was going after than the cost, but hey, it saved us quite a bit.

I'm going directly to a wholesaler (a friend's boyfriend) for our flowers and am considering asking some musically inclined friends to help out with some ideas regarding the music. If they offer to play – great, but at the very least they can give us tips on how to hook up an i-pod or the name of a local band or dj. Another friend works at a restaurant and offered the use of their nice chafing dishes if we choose to do a buffet.

Networking comes in handy during wedding planning… even if they can't give you a discount at least you know you can trust the vendor, you know? Saves you some stress. I've been amazed at the number of friends that have offered services!

I like to do things myself. If you cut out the middle man you sidestep the upcharge. The craft sections at Walmart, Michaels and the like will be frequented a lot in the coming months I'm sure.

Good luck!!
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By liv612 on Jan 23, 2009

My wedding was very cheap. Make a list of the things you HAVE to spend good money on. I highly reccomend getting good pictures taken! I wanted to cut corners everywhere I could because I was sooo focused on the price of everything, and for some things- I greatly regret it. Have a 2:00 wedding, then only a cake reception- no dinner. Be resourceful. If someone has a talent (dressmaking for example) enlist them and ask to help. I had my dress made by a friend of the family and we only paid for the fabric and the labor was my gift. Watch for sales, when wedding things go half off go for that. Have your reception at a room/hall where you are getting married, it will be cheaper. Get what you want and need, not stuff because you think you HAVE to have it. Simple can be lovely. Your colors sound gorgeous. A big thing can be for you and your hubby or you and some of your friend sto get together and make your own invitations! That really can cut costs! Congrats and good luck!
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By Ren on Jan 23, 2009

first of all congradulations start out by making a list of everything you want or need.. then check walmart, fabric stores, AC moore, and those types of places you can find guest books photo albums and feather pens that packages have been ripped and the stores offer them half price and they are a breeze to clean up and decorate yourself. check local mission stores ppl are always donating wedding favors and such just to get rid of them. we made our own food and decorations. if you have any questions feel free to contact me
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By kinky_bi_bbw32 on Jan 23, 2009