Being A Bride On A Budget by Rachael

Rachael is a new contributor who has a passion for writing, her family, living in NYC, and anything that has to do with art. Follow her @livealittleNYC. Rachael will be posting regularly on ways to save you money on your big day.

Being a Bride on a Budget

When you are planning a wedding, it can feel like the costs pile up quickly. There are, however, a number of different ways to save money throughout the entire wedding planning process.

Firstly, set a budget! Make sure it includes absolutely everything – dress, invitations, photographer, florist, rings – everything. Begin to do some online research to get ideas on how much things cost in your area. If any family is going to help with costs, make sure that is included in the budget as well. Once the budget is set, it is important to stick to it. If something is going to require more money than originally planned, then you will need to cut from another area. As harsh as this may sound, it is key to not start off your new life with a pile of debt.

Check out the bridal shows within your area on www.BridesClub.com. Signing up for one of these shows will save time, and possibly money. You will have the opportunity to meet with several different local vendors in one convenient location. Additionally, there are often great coupons and special deals for those who attend the shows.

Make sure no matter what you need to order, you always shop around. For example, if you are going to get fresh flowers, talk to several different florists let them know you are getting multiple quotes. Make sure they give you their best possible price. And no matter what, don’t be pressured into spending more than your budget allows.

Don’t forget to shop online. There are always great deals to be had when you order items from the Internet. For example, if you are going to do save the date cards, check out Wedding Paper Divas. They have a variety of different options that can fit any budget.

Make sure you look at different stores to register for gifts. This will serve multiple purposes. Firstly, it will help those who want to purchase gifts for you and your fiancé. Secondly, many stores offer incentives for registering with them.  Crate and Barrel offers 10 % off any remaining items on your wedding registry after your wedding date. They also offer free invitation inserts to let your guests know exactly where you are registered. Williams Sonoma offers multiple wedding registry incentives, including free bonus gifts, thank you note card management, cooking class discounts, and 10 % off purchases for six months after your wedding day.

There are many items that end up in a wedding day budget. By staying organized and doing some research, you can certainly save a lot of money and be sure to stay on budget.