Practically all brides today have some kind of budget they are planning to stick to, whether it’s just barely enough or flexible, there are plenty of expenses you can easily avoid. Saving money is not just about cutting down on spending, it’s about making room for options for the things you really care about. For example, choosing an inexpensive floral option for your center pieces could give you that little bit extra you’ll need for that dress you’re dying to have. Sticking to your wedding budget is all about making smart choices; by taking the time to consider all of our options, we can have the chic, stylish, and glamorous wedding we’ve always dreamed of, without any guilt or regrets.

When it comes to your Bridesmaids’ dresses, keep all of your options open. Although your dress may be from a designer, you can easily go for a stylish (and affordable) option for your maids. Consider browsing online department stores for an abundance of options. A popular trend today is letting your Bridesmaids all wear different dresses, with various styles and cuts, with varying shades of specific color scheme. This lets them choose a flattering shape and color, while still maintaining the overall palette for your wedding. Ellos dresses, for example, offer plenty of fun, flirty, and formal options that will easily fit into your budget. If your maids are purchasing their own, it’s provides them with an affordable option, and a practical dress they can wear long after your big day.

As for the floral details, it is no secret that flowers alone can account for a large portion of your overall budget. Considering you will need bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces and other decor, you can cut costs considerably by considering just a few key things. First, find out what flowers grown locally. Second, choose based on what is in season for your wedding date. Any flowers or greenery that are flown in from exotic countries will be significantly more expensive. There are plenty of affordable alternatives to popular favorites that could save you hundreds, and be just as beautiful.

Often, saving money is as simple as getting creative and doing your research. Evaluate all of your options and you’d be surprised just how much room you have left in your budget, whether to cut costs or just to splurge on the honeymoon.

Buying a brand new gown may seem impossible, given your financial restrictions. Though, there are many online shops and boutiques that have a variety of new dresses at a price you can afford. Shopping online is a great start, as your options are virtually limitless, and you can quickly narrow down results based on price range. Many online department stores even have payment plans for wedding dresses, which allow you the opportunity to pay off the gown over time, rather than in one lump sum. You might also be surprised at how inexpensive a handmade dress can be, if you find a repeatable seller/designer, you can get a unique piece made just for you. On the other hand, if you’re relying solely on boutiques, and local shops, you might get lucky with a sample dress if it happens to be your size. This gown will be significantly marked down in price, which is good news for brides, especially those looking for a big designer name. Wedding expos are another great resource you shouldn’t over look, as many of the most coveted brands names in the wedding industry will have booths there, and there will be plenty of special offers to take advantage of.

Buying used is an option many brides don’t even consider, but it will definitely open up your options. Considering you can be sure a wedding dress has only been worn once, maybe twice for photos, the word “used” is hardly suiting. The condition of the gown will be pristine, and the price will be considerably reduced. There are many websites that specialize in this market, helping to pair former brides looking to sell their gown with brides-to-be looking to buy, creating an organized shopping atmosphere you’ll appreciate. This way, you can even grab a coveted designer label, even on a budget.

Credits: Photographed by Goudey Photography.

But it isn’t a crime to know what is assumed based on tradition, for example, if your father-in-law is expecting, and looking to pay for a specific aspect of the wedding, and it’s best not to offend him. If it means something to him, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be able to contribute. Here are is who tradition states you should make the bill out to…

Groom & Family:

• Marriage License and legal details.
• Groom’s attire.
• Bride’s bouquet.
• Boutonnieres.
• Corsages for: Mother, Mother-in-law, and Grandmother’s on both sides.
• Entire Honeymoon costs.
• (If there is a) second Engagement party.
• Rehearsal Dinner.
• Bachelor’s Dinner.
• Both the Engagement ring and Wedding band for the Bride.

Bride & Family:

• Ceremony location, such as a church or synagogue, including services inside (organist etc.)
• Gown, veil, shoes, and any other accessory, including honeymoon clothes.
• All floral (bouquets, corsages) for bridesmaids and flower girls, and the huppah for Jewish ceremonies.
• Photography and Videography.
• Engagement Party.
• Bridesmaids’ Luncheon.
• Services such as catering, band or DJ, and decorations.
• Groom’s Wedding band.
• All stationary: Save The Date, invitations, announcements, programs, timelines etc.
• Transportation for bridal party, for ceremony and reception.

Others:

• Maid of Honor, along with the bridesmaids, will host and plan the shower.
• Best Man, along with the ushers, will host and plan the bachelor party.
• Friends or others will host and plan other parties.
• Attendants pay for their own attire, including shoes.

Resource: TheKnot.com

- Expensive Postage for invitations: if your invitations are anything besides standard, expect to pay more than you were expecting per envelope. This can mean: oddly sized, bulky, heavy, multi-layered invitations or unique packaging. It may not seem like a lot, but if they end up running $2 in stamps per invite, it can add up when you have 200 guests.

How to avoid it: choose a simple invitation that is light and fits in an average sized envelope. Try to get estimates on postage per invite before you decide.

- Additional “Cake-Cutting” Fee: Most brides search for a baker for their wedding cake specifically, and don’t buy reception packages that include a cake. If you book separately, expect to pay an extra fee specifically for the cake. The staff of the reception hall will have to cut and serve the cake to your guests, as well as clean the dishes afterwards. This is all paid by you, and can run up to $5 for each guest.

How to avoid it: if you book a banquet hall that includes the wedding cake in the overall cost, this isn’t a problem. If you decide to hire your own baker for the cake, be sure you’re aware of the costs included for the extra services at the reception venue.

- Obligatory Tips: There is a difference between a “service charge” and gratuity. You should be aware that the service charge is mandatory, and is the compensation for the catering hall for hiring servers. This is not in place of the tip, so you may be surprised with an extra fee at the end of the night, up to 20% of the overall costs.

How to avoid it: you can avoid the surprise by being prepared. Determine the exact cost upfront, and have it paid along with the total cost of catering, this way there is no other cost that will sneak up on you and ruin your budget.

- Additional Band Equipment: If your venue is particularly big, you may be slapped with last minute charges for additional equipment needed for the band or DJ. If the hall is bigger than expected, the extra mikes, speakers and other equipment will be an expense you had not planned for, and it can run in the hundreds.

How to avoid it: when arranging a price with your entertainment, be sure the layout of the venue is clear, so if there is any additional equipment necessary, it should be declared upfront and explained so you don’t pay for anything unnecessary.

Source: TheKnot.com.

Many people wouldn’t consider the idea of getting married in an H&M dress, but for some people it isn’t all about the dress’ label, and they have some pretty cute styles in their sustainable collection for the modern bride looking for a sweet and simple cocktail look. Maybe a less flashy dress for a civil ceremony?

See all of these and more here, and read about the project, and how it is sustainable here.

Invitations & Cards: To help eliminate paper waste all together, send ecards for your “save the date” and “Thank you” cards. You can keep all the creativity and work with a digital designer to create your invites without all the waste.
If you’re set on paper, go with recycled paper and envelopes with natural ink.

Making Memories: When you choose your photographer, be sure they are shooting digitally. Preview your pictures and share via a computer, and have your pictures burned to a CD. If you prefer film, be sure they recycle materials and don’t use so many chemicals in the development process.
For photo albums, there are plenty of companies that have green options for printing and binding your wedding album, without any loss of style and chic design.

Choose eatable! The best idea for green wedding favors for guests are tasty goodies. If things are 100% eatable, there is no waste. Bake some homemade cookies or chocolate, or even make jam from homegrown fruits. If you need a wrapper for baked goods, used recycled products and those that are easily degradable, or save your glass food jars and refill them with goods. You can also give some free-trade products such as coffee (read up on what free-trade means here) or natural beeswax candles or home made soaps.
For the reception meal, treat your guests to locally grown food that is pesticide free. If you can’t go 100% organic, choose meats that are acquired sustainably and seafood that is low in mercury.

Other DIY gifts can include live potted plants, fabric bags, and other things that can be around for a long time. How clever is this Banana bread that is baked directly inside a reusable terra cotta plant pot from Style Me Pretty?

Don’t buy disposable. For the reception, use real dishes and glasses, that can be washed and reused. Use fabric napkins and table clothes that can also be washed and reused.

Find Eco Friendly hotels in the area, here is a good resource for “green” hotels in America: GreenHotels.com and Canada: Hotel Association.

Phew that was a lot of research. I hope you’re inspired to have an Eco Friendly wedding!

Credits: Succulent gifts, Homemade Bread, Soap, & Potted Bread.

Read up on Stylish ways to Go Green:
Green Wedding @ Amazon
Green Bride Guide @ Amazon (Budget Friendly)
Eco-Chic Weddings @ Amazon

Buy Pre-Owned or Never Used: I found Bravo Bride via Snippet & Ink, and it’s an amazing website. You can buy pre-owned wedding items from other brides, or sell things you never used from your own wedding. Whether its left overs, extra, or just wanting to recycle something you only used on your big day, you can find it here. It has everything from jewelry to decor, to designer bridal gowns at half the cost!

Support Crafty People: Another well known resource is Etsy. You can find handmade, unique items made by individual sellers for half the price of buying through a big name brand or fancy store. Etsy also has plenty of listings for restored, antique or vintage items, to give some character to your wedding. The best thing about Etsy is how personal the service is, considering most sellers will customize the item for you however you’d like.

Plan Ahead… Way Ahead: A great tip for shopping for decor or long lasting items for the wedding, such as table settings, non perishable favors etc, you can plan way ahead and buy early. If you have a seasonal themed wedding, once the season is close to ending or passed, you can buy the items all discounted, and use it for the same season next year. That is, if your date is set for a year or more ahead. This not only gives you time to hunt down or wait for something to go on sale, but also time for finding exactly what you want and not settling.

And there’s always Ebay!

- Real diamond
- Budget of $100
- Sterling Silver or Gold (any color)

Credits: Top to bottom, left to right: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine.

If you don’t want Cubic Zirconia, or a semi precious stone (even if it resembles a diamond), and are set on a real diamond no matter how small, here are some great finds.. Using the budget $50 – $100 in a search on Etsy (to weed out the unworthy), these are the best results.

Super simple, chic and classic, these are beautiful solitaires. One hundred percent real diamonds, with varying clarity. Etsy sellers usually always offer to make the ring in your size, or use a metal of your choice, so you really can’t go wrong.

Be sure to become familiar with the diamond classification terms, such as diamond Clarity, Cut, and Color. These are good resources to read up on when choosing a diamond.

As for my personal budget ring story: my boyfriend wanted to give me, what he calls, a “real estate” ring. As in, it is claiming the real estate on my ring finger, but isn’t really an engagement ring. We are living abroad, and away from both our families, so he has promised to only give me a true engagement ring when he has met my family. “Promise ring” reminds him too much of impulsive teenagers, and he didn’t want it to lose it’s meaning.

That is my ring there on the left (photo from the listing), and it was an amazing find: a vintage diamond ring from around the 1950s, with an illusion setting (great feature for budget rings), two side diamonds, and solid 14kt White Gold. It was $99 and I couldn’t be happier. I wanted something unique, and original, and I got it. Don’t underestimate the power of ebay, for great antique, vintage rings! They can always be resized by your jeweler if you find the ring of your dreams.

If you are looking for a conflict free, eco friendly, luxurious diamond, be sure to check out Brilliant Earth.

1) Unless you are already firmly set on a date for your wedding, then try to avoid the peak ‘wedding season’. During this time all of the venues, such as reception halls, will charge almost double what they do in the off seasons. Considering that the Reception costs alone account for 50% of your overall budget, this is an aspect that is worth cutting down on when you can.

2) When it comes to your guest list, keep the number of guests in attendance as low as possible, restricting it to those who you know personally. Most venues will charge per person, and when multiplying the food, drink, favors etc. it will all add up in your expenses.

3) Flowers account for 8% of your overall budget, but you can cut down by: creating the arrangements yourself, picking the flower that is currently in season (it will always be cheaper), and by avoiding purchasing them around Mother’s Day, Valentines Day, and other holidays when flowers are in high demand.

4) Cutting back on certain things in the reception, such as offering a smaller meal, or buying the wine and liquor to be served at the bar yourself, you can save a great deal. Reception hall’s will charge you much more to provide beverages for you.

5) Since the wedding attire is 10% of the total wedding expenses, it is worth taking the time to shop around (even if you found the perfect dress!) and checking out department sales, or even renting a tuxedo or gown. If you are having your gown made, find less expensive fabrics that resemble the luxurious, expensive ones. After all, you will wear this dress only once!

6) Another big chuck of your wedding expenses will be dedicated to the location, so if you want to fly everyone out to your exotic wedding abroad, you will be spending more than you have to. Instead, you can choose a local spot, like a park, or a friend’s garden, which are considerably cheaper, not to mention more unique and meaningful.

7) Cut back on, if not eliminate all together, the deserts at the reception. After people have their fill of food and drink, they often don’t have room for desert anyway.

8 ) 12% of most budgets will cover photo and video documentation of your big day. Since this is one of the most important aspects of your wedding, you will want to save where you can but not sacrifice the memories you want saved. A popular, unique and creative alternative to hiring a professional is to offer disposable cameras to your guests. After the wedding, collect the cameras and develop all the pictures. Now you have wedding pictures from every possible angle at no cost to you.