10 Budgeting Tips for the Frugal Minded :)

Hey Ladies

I too am a frugal bride. But we are actually just frugal ppl in general. We decided that we want to start our marriage with no wedding debt so we too are paying cash (well check card lol) for all items. We don't actually live together yet but I'm moving in with him in April to save $$. We're doing a cruise and then getting married in St Thomas. We have a great WC who's prices are awesome as compared to other's who's sites I've visited.

I would like to get everyone's opinion on something. I too love Vista prints so what I was planning to do was send out a travel brochure that would serve as my wedding invite and save the date notice. I thought it was a cute a different idea but I'd be able to save $$ bc I would be able to send out the entire cruise price list as well as wedding events in one brochure. My bf (yea we have a wedding date set but are not engaged yet) and I are very laid back so we thought this would be a unique idea and not very fancy like the normal invitations. What do you all think?

OMG! This is an awesome thread! I can't wait to read it again!

I just found a great book at Chapters Indigo for we frugal brides! It's called 1000 Best Wedding Bargains by Sharon Naylor. She has some great tips...like instead of a sit down dinner have a floating cocktail reception (very trendy , very chic and not as expensive), how and where to find a great designer dress, alternatives to a veil, cheap shoes, his tux, great favours, etc.

Check it out...at your local library first, of course

Five minutes later...

Just checked my library and they have it as an electronic resource that I can download for 3 weeks...so I guess that's savings on top of savings!

This is a great topic. I have not really set a budget yet, I have a general price in my head, I am just in the very early stages of my planning (even thou I pretty well have everything planned lol). I had found some beautiful invites on line, but when I added everything up, for save the dates, invites etc the price was close to 300.00. So I discovered Vista print on another topic and will have my std done free and I am making my own invites. A savings of probably well over 250.00. I am going to upgrade my flowers, hire the steel drum band, and photgrapher. But thats all the upgrading I am going to do. Everything else I will buy on sale whenever I can.

Keep up the great ideas we all appreciate them

Another Tip:

Read the "What I would and wouldn't do again" thread on this website. Recently married brides from this website tell us what they regret spending money on and what they would most definately splurge on again.

It has helped me reconsider my budget, especially when 50 brides have said spending extra on cake wasn't worth it because no one ate the cake by the time dessert time came around or that 60 brides said definately do the TTD session!

It helps you to assign your destination dollars wisely...

I'm glad that I am not the only bride out here on a small budget!

Great tips! Thanks so much for putting all these ideas down in one place =)

sunstarsmoon- i have heard from others about vista print and "free" save the date cards. How do I get them free?

These tips will totally come in handy! Thanks for posting!

Awesome tips! I always like finding out more ways to save. Keep the ideas coming!