Cheaper Weddings

With so many bridal websites all selling the same bridal tiaras, veils and jewelry, it's fairly easy to compare prices. But there are other money saving tips that will help you the find bridal accessories you want at prices you can afford.

Sales in the months of October through January tend to be the slowest in the bridal industry. This is the time to look online for special discounts, buy-one-get-one-free, and clearance products. Most sites put their returned merchandise on "clearance" and there is nothing wrong with these items, they just didn't meet the needs of the original buyer.

Flat rate shipping is another great way to save by shopping online. If you can purchase a bridal tiara and five brooches for your bridesmaids and only pay one price for shipping, it's much less expensive than per-item shipping costs. Some advertise "free shipping on orders over $100." This won't do you any good if you're looking for two sets of earrings. Always look for flat rate shipping when you have a choice.

Many bridal websites now have their own blogs. This is a great way to find contests and free giveaways. Again, they may be giving away some of their returned merchandise, but you might be lucky enough to win the perfect wedding veil. Blogs are also a good place to find announcements such as "20% off all our earrings for this month only." The age of the blog and the number of posts determines how much traffic it receives. If you enter a contest on a newer blog, you may find very little competition and stand a much better chance of winning free bridal accessories.

Plan ahead and try to shop for bridal accessories online during the slower months. Carefully read the shipping instructions and choose flat rate shipping when available. Look for clearance items. Read the website's blog posts to determine whether they sponsor contests or giveaways. All of these will help you save money buying bridal accessories online.

They save you time and they save you money. Tiara and jewelry sets starting at only $88, made of the finest freshwater pearls, rhinestones and Swarovski crystals, are less than half the price of just a tiara at many large retailers.

Jessica McClintock tiaras. They're my passion. But did you know that by going to the Jessica McClintock website you can find a selection of bridesmaid dresses on sale up to 40% off regular price? It's worth taking a look if you're tired of having only ONE place to shop for bridesmaid gowns.

Available in brown or beige $93

Nine color choices $87

Available in four colors $78
Ten color choices $57

Pink and black only $90

Available in 13 colors $52

If your dream wedding is at the Moana Surfrider in Waikiki Beach, you're probably going to live and die by their rules. "Only a very minimal amount of neutral color-white or ivory-floral petals will be allowed for "tossing" purposes, and an automatic cleanup fee of $200 plus tax will be assessed should your florist or event coordinator not be available to provide cleanup following the ceremony." But come to think of it, visits to Hawaii were down almost 11% last year ($113 million dollars), so a Hawaiian wedding may be more of a bargain than expected. If you are a budget-minded bride, here are a few tips to get you started asking for discounts:

1. When approaching any wedding vendor for a discount, be polite. Good manners impress. Showing respect to others makes them feel good about themselves. Their natural inclination is to be good to you.

2. Be honest about your budget. Tell them you expect to have the perfect wedding, even if it means carnations instead of calla lilies. Your enthusiasm will inspire them to do what they do best, at the most affordable price.

3. Sell yourself. Give them the value of your business in dollars and cents. Explain how a wedding reception in their hotel may result in booking more overnight guests. Always end each request by telling the vendor you value their services above the rest.

Why are Ken and Tavon Ferguson an especially happily married couple?

"I was able to find a vendor who literally makes a Styrofoam replica of a cake decorated with fondant and regular icing," says Tavon. "I actually sent her some ribbon and lace and she put it on herself."

"There's a little slot in the back," she explained. "So we were able to have pictures of us cutting into our 'cake.'"

"Our cake was probably my favorite part of the wedding," said Tavon.

The staff then whisked the fake cake out of sight and served the guests $40 worth of sheet cake from the supermarket, compared to $600 for an actual wedding cake.

But what about saving the top layer for their first anniversary? The bride just laughs it off.

"I would have eaten that cake a long time ago."

1. Select a different stone than a diamond, such as a ruby or sapphire.
2. Purchase a ring at an estate sale.
3. Choose a silver ring instead of gold.
4. Look at antique rings at consignment shops.
5. Buy a smaller stone and "trade up" later on.
6. Have old gold jewelry melted down and molded into new rings.
7. Reset a ring or stone you already have.
8. Buy a diamond through the wholesale jewelry mart.
9. Look at rings at local pawn shops.
10. Purchase bands made of tungsten, which are affordable and scratch-resistant.

Little girls big on fashion! For less than fifty dollars, and some as low as $35, these quality poly-cotton and gorgeous organza polka dot dresses are perfect for your favorite little flower girl. They are natural waistline, fully lined; tea length dresses with sashes and detachable flower pins. MyGirlDress offers some of the lowest priced flower girl dresses online, and right now they are sponsoring a Free Flower Girl Dress Giveaway.



How to apply: Write your engagement story (if you are the bride) or the most special moment with your daughter (if you are the mother of flower girl) at MyGirlDress.com blog. Please make sure to post your story at comments of "Free Flower Girl Dress Giveaway" posting. They will pick one of the stories every other week on Monday starting July 20th 2009.

The traditional open bar is the most expensive drink option available. Here are a few ways to save money:

Limit the open bar to one to two hors and then go to a cash bar.

Serve wine and beer only

Stick with house-brand liquors and domestic wines where available; skip top-of-the line gold label liquors and expensive imported wine.

Skip a bar completely if there is no cocktail our. instead, provide a limited number of wine bottles on the tables along with sparkling water or pitchers of iced tea.

Provide an espresso bar where lattes and specialty Italian flavorings are available.

Skip the alcohol and consider providing non-alcoholic drinks only with the exception of a champagne (or non-alcoholic champagne) toast.

source "Priceless Weddings For Under $5,000"

Pass on the personalized leather flasks and give your best girls a practical keepsake, something they can enjoy again and again! Accessorize your entire bridal party with matching rhinestone brooches, and pay one low price ($5.95) for shipping. Gift boxes are on us!

Antique Silver Brooch

Who wouldn't want to be chosen as a bridesmaid? Just about anyone who is concerned about spending $200 on a dress, and that's just for starters. Why not honor them by choosing affordable bridesmaids dresses, so that being in your wedding can be a joy instead of a job. Although colors are limited, Forever 21 has some satin and chiffon "dressy" dresses for less than $30, perfect for a casual or outdoor wedding ceremony.