Helpful Hints for Saving Money on Your Wedding Day

My husband, a CPA, printed out an article for me he recently saw on The Vanguard Group’s Web site relating to saving money on your wedding day. So, I thought I would share some of their ideas with some additional comments by me in italics.

Some questions to ask:

Have you set up a budget for your wedding?
How will you pay for it?
Will you be going into debt to finance your big day? If so, how long will it take to pay if off? (It’s really not a good idea to start off your new life together with new debt.)

Here are some simple suggestions for paring down some of your expenses:

1. Trim your guest list. Your reception will usually be about 50% of your budget, so by trimming your guest list, you will save money. For example, if your wedding costs $125 per person, cutting just eight guests will save you $1,000.
2. Don’t do engraved invitations – do thermography. This method still has the raised lettering, but just doesn’t have the copper-plate engraving which is very expensive.
3. Think about getting married on a Friday evening or a Sunday. Many venues will give significant discounts on these days and you can still have your sit-down dinner for a much less cost.
4. Consider having your ceremony and reception held at the same place. You’ll only need to decorate one place and you’ll save on transportation, too.
5. Wine and beer only. Save a lot of money by having a wine and beer bar only.
6. Nix the extra dessert. Wedding cake will be plenty to serve the guests.
7. Want an extravagant, multitiered wedding cake? Have your baker do a “fake” cake with Styrofoam decorated with icing and serve guests sheet cake made from the wedding cake recipe you choose. No one will be the wiser. If you want to do the traditional cake cutting ceremony, then have your baker do one tier with real cake and the rest with Styrofoam. Or, if you don’t particularly like the idea of a “fake” cake, (I know I don’t) you can still save money by having your baker create a smaller version of your wedding cake to serve less guests and have additional sheet cakes that will be cut up in the kitchen and served to guests.
8. Eliminate favors. Most get thrown out, unless their edible. If you have 125 guests at $3 per favor, you will save $375.
9. Seasonal flowers. Always try to choose flowers that are in season during the time of your wedding. They are less costly than forced blooms.

By sticking to a budget and using some of the above cost-saving tips, you can still have an elegant wedding, but not go in debt.

Bling, Bling!

Just received my copy of Martha Stewart Weddings magazine spring issue. The picture on the cover is shown above showing several different styles and cuts of diamond rings. Wow! Gone are the days of the single round, solitaire diamond engagement ring. There are such a variety of styles to choose from these days. Makes me want to get engaged all over again. Or maybe, I'll just hint to my husband to upgrade my ring for our 15th or 25th Anniversary. Don't get me wrong. I love my engagement ring. It's a sapphire surrounded with diamonds - modeled after Princess Diana's, but on a much smaller scale, of course.

I just love diamonds and wouldn't mind wearing one of these beauties once in awhile.

Makeup For Your Big Day

Make your wedding day picture-perfect. How? By preparing your skin one to two months in advance of your wedding day. "How do I do that?" you ask? If you are a DIY bride, then all you need to do is use the right products, and you will have that “storybook look” that will last until the last dance.

The skin care and makeup I recommend is Mary Kay. I use it and love their products. Visit my beauty consultant’s site at www.marykay.com/leahfontana to see the latest in skin care and makeup products. On the home page, go down to “What’s New” and click on “Bridal.” If you want to have a little fun, too, be you own makeup artist by taking their Virtual Makeover.

Happy shopping.

No Winner

Sorry. No one submitted any Valentine's Day proposals, so there was not a winner for my first contest. Oh, well. Look for another contest in the future.

Have a great Monday!

Happy Leap Day!

An extra day of the year we get every four years. That means you have an extra day of planning for your wedding - 24 more hours! Isn't that great? I'm sure it probably won't seem like you have that extra day, though. Oh, well. It was a good thought anyway.

I was thinking, wouldn't it be funky to get married today? Later in life, you could say you are celebrating your 8th Anniversary but in reality you've been married 32 years.

I wonder how many, if any, are really getting married today. There must be some couples out there crazy enough to do it. It is Friday. Many couples get married on Fridays. Are you one of the couples crazy enough to get married today or did you get married on Leap Day? Let me know - I'd love to hear your story.

Best Proposal Story Contest

Yesterday was one of the most popular days to get engaged. Did he pop the question to you yesterday?

If so, send me your story. I am running a contest for the most creative, unique proposal. Was it a surprise? Was it captured on video? Where did he propose?

If your story is chosen, you will receive a Kate Aspen scented Hearts & Vines frosted-glass votive candle favor, tossing garter (as pictured above) and a FREE one-hour telephone consultation. Total prize value is $70.

Contest will run for two weeks. All entries must be received on or before Friday, February 29. Winner will be announced on this blog on Friday, March 7.

Don’t delay! Send your story today! Don’t forget - contest ends Friday, February 29!

Kate Aspen Favors

I am so excited! I just became a retailer for Kate Aspen designer-inspired favors for weddings and baby showers as advertised in Martha Stewart Weddings magazine.

I have used these favors for some of my clients and everyone loved them. They are unique, fun and beautiful.

Check them out. You'll love what you see.