How one couple is making their budget wedding happen

Posted by admin on February 18, 2012 Leave a comment (0) Go to comments

CLEVELAND – You’ve got the ring, and the man or woman of your dreams, now it’s time to plan the big day. but you can cut down on the costs, while still having the wedding you’ve always wanted.

There’s the photographer, the dress, the invitations, the favors, the food, the flowers. the list goes on and on. the bridal website costofwedding.com estimates couples spend more than $26,000 per wedding.

When Paul Miller proposed on Christmas, Jade Berry began planning the wedding of her dreams without breaking the bank.

“The most important thing is already decided, the rest is just fun,” Berry said, while Miller adds, “Even though we could shell out the money for that, we could put that money towards the house, or towards something else we would need in our married life.”

The couple is saving hundreds of dollars by making their own invitations and flower arrangements.

“I looked up the price of a bridal bouquet and they start around $100. I actually purchased silk flowers for everything we would need and paid about $60,” Jade said.

If you need some ideas, Pat Catan’s caters to the do-it-yourself bride.

“We’ll do a silk bouquet and we’ll add a few live to give the smell and the look and when you mesh it all together, it looks real,” Patrice Catan said.

Really think about what you’re buying. Do you really need favors for all the guests? Catan says no, that it can go to just the women.

And think about what you can re-use after the wedding.

“After the wedding you can take the glassware and use it on your kitchen counter, in your dining room, fill it with colored beads, put it in the middle of the table, you’re done,” Catan said.

Berry took to Craigslist looking for her dream wedding gown and used décor pieces for her big day. but it was on eBay where she ended up finding the exact dress she wanted.

“I had exactly what I had dreamt of and I paid a quarter of the price,” Berry said.

And, when she’s done with everything, she’ll try to recoup some of her money.

“After the wedding, this stuff’s not going in the basement or the attic it’s going right back where it came from on eBay and Craigslist.”

Berry and Miller also plan on skipping the limo and possibly renting a car, and they saved some money by paying more up-front for the reception hall.

Catan has some other tips to save on your wedding, while still saying “I do” in style.

-Invitations, favors and flowers are the three biggest areas where you can do it yourself and save money. -Consider buying your jewelry, garter, veil and headpiece at a craft store. -Self-stick rhinestones are one of the hottest craft items right now and can add sparkle to almost anything. -Buy a bag of silk petals and sprinkle them everywhere for an added touch. -Lights, lights, lights, especially new LED lights for your centerpieces. -Make your “Bride” and “Bridesmaid” t-shirts for the bachelorette party and the flip flops for the reception yourself. -If you’re having an at-home wedding, consider buying inexpensive durable place settings for dinner instead of renting from the caterer. -And of course, set a budget. Decide what’s most important to you to spend your money on, and make everything else fit within your budget.