10 Budgeting Tips for the Frugal Minded :)

[Chanti]

Where did you get your shoes? I'm also in Toronto trying to find cute ivory strappy sandals for the reception!

[beachbride08]

Here is how we saved on some costs. We stayed at the same resort for our honeymoon, but just switched to the adults only hotel on the property. We saved a ton of money and time by not travelling somewhere else and we still had a great time by ourselves!

 

I found my dress, but then didn't buy it until the weekend after Thanksgiving. I got $100 off my dress by waiting until the sale, and I had already found a dress that was under my budget of $1K.

 

Splitting orders with BDW members! I was able to get the color changing cups I wanted, but didn't have to buy the minimum order of 250 when all I needed was 50.

 

Bookmark things you like online and stalk the sites or sign up for their newsletters. You will get emails when things go on sale and often times what you need/like gets marked down at some point. Almost everything I ordered I got on sale and/or free shipping.

 

See what BDW members are selling. This could also be a good way to get a deal on things you needed that are new or slightly used. Plus, it helps the ladies on here get some of their money back!

[BeautifulBridetoBe]

"3) instead of getting my makeup done at the resort salon i'm going to Mac or Sephora and getting a make over done with my MOH watching. i think they're free but you might have to buy some minimum amount of make up. don't quote me on that cuz i haven't gone yet. lol. then i'll buy the make up they use and have my MOH do my wedding makeup..."

 

Me too! I have checked this out. In Toronto, it must be the MAC counters in The Bay stores only. You pay $55 for a private makeup session with one of their artists. The $55 then goes toward a makeup purchase...like the products she just used on you! So it's actually a free make up lesson with a pro and some great products to recreate the look for your wedding day! If it is not in the Bay, the MAC store only gives you the lesson and a free mascara...not $55 worth of product.

 

Another tip: have it done on the day of your shower, boudoir session or some other occassion close to the wedding...why let a professional job go to waste?

[BeautifulBridetoBe]

3) instead of getting my makeup done at the resort salon i'm going to Mac or Sephora and getting a make over done with my MOH watching. i think they're free but you might have to buy some minimum amount of make up. don't quote me on that cuz i haven't gone yet. lol. then i'll buy the make up they use and have my MOH do my wedding makeup

 

Me too! I have checked this out. In Toronto, it must be the MAC counters in The Bay stores only. You pay $55 for a private makeup session with one oof their artists. The $55 dollars you have spent then goes toward any makeup you want to purchase, like the products she just used on you! So it's actually a free make up lesson with a pro and some great product to recreate the look for your wedding day! If it is not in the Bay, the MAC store only gives you the lesson and a free mascara...not $55 worth of product.

 

Another tip: have it done on the day of your shower, boudoir session or some other occassion close to the wedding...why let a professional job go to waste?

[BeautifulBridetoBe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chanti Where did you get your shoes? I'm also in Toronto trying to find cute ivory strappy sandals for the reception!

Aldo for one pair and a store in Eaton Centre for another. Also try Orfus Road shoe stores.

[k_8ie]

I got my BM dresses for 25$ each!!! My flip flops were 10$ at weddingstar dot com!!!

 

Yay!!!

 

I will do my own make up, but will have to pay for the hair...or maybe not...lol

[Jefiner]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this thread!!!!! Thank you!

[miss di]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeautifulBridetoBe Frugal-Minded Brides Unite! 6. For a gown, make sure you check the sale racks. I originally bought my gown for $500 and fell in love with another at David's Bridal on the sale rack fo $99. I bought it too. So I will wear one to the wedding and one to the reception for less than what most people will spend on one gown. Feel free to add to this list

For those of you bride-to-be's on a budget in the bay area...i'll be checking out 2 discounters on saturday...the first is the jessica mcclintock outlet, where many dresses are from $10-100. (yes, that is TEN DOLLARS - probably for bridesmaids dresses) and also glamour closet - i think that's the name, which has designer gowns 40-50% off retail. i'll report back after the weekend.

i'm sure you probably alllll know about yelp.com but if you don't - great place to search for local dicsount bridal salons and read reviews.

[InspiredBride]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prettyhazardous 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?

I was actually thinking of this same idea and was wanting to post the same question! I started making the VistaPrint template last night and I personally think it might be a fun, unique, and frugal way to invite guests and get out all of the information they need. My wedding is on a cruise ship so there is alot of extra information people need that won't necessary fit well on a "normal" invitation. Initially I was going to send an invite, and then a travel brochure with more info, but I don't see the need to spend more money.
For my STDs I did DIY Boarding Passes, which everyone liked. So I'm thinking a travel brochure invitation is a fun idea.

[InspiredBride]

We are trying to do EVERYTHING for under $10,000 so I really appreciate this thread.

I'd like to add another tip...

Aside from the dollar store, I really like the bargain dollar bin at Target. Yesterday I found a bunch of spanish phrase books for a dollar which I'll put in the OOT bags (since we're cruising to Mexico).