With most of the weddings I plan, the invitation budget is around $700 but I do have many brides that have a smaller invitation budget and I always get asked the question: “do you know where I can get cheap wedding invitations?” Even though I don’t like the word “cheap” it’s is used quite often amongst my bridal clients. I explain to all of them that the wedding invitation sets the tone of their wedding and if they choose a wedding invitation that looks very “cheap” then their guests may get the impression that their wedding day is not going to be semi-formal or a formal affair even though it very well may be. So, through much research and sample ordering, I have found several sites that offer some great inexpensive wedding invitations (sounds better, right?) that a bride on a tight budget can use without sacrificing the tone and beauty of their wedding.

Here are some great resources, make sure you sign up to receive their newsletters or announcements, they send email with coupons and free shipping frequently.

Save on your wedding invitations and announcements

InvitationConsultants

Wedding Invitations by Wedding Paper Divas

Papeterie

Posted by Wedding Planner- Syvella Brantley

Photos Compliments of F.A Formica Wedding Photography

Weddings are a wonderful occasion but can be very costly if you are not careful with the amount of guests that you invite. Even though some may think that inviting 200 but only serving Cake and Champagne is a small wedding but think about how large the cake has to be and how much Champagne you will need, how large the venue has to be, and what it will take to mange 200 guests.

These are the factors that I consider a small wedding:

• 75 guests or less
• 4 or less bridesmaids and groomsmen
• Wedding Ceremony and Reception at one location

If you plan small wedding with the above factors in mind it will indeed be a small wedding. Your wedding invitations will cost less, your catering bill will be less, and you won’t have the need for wedding transportation. Your guests list should consist of only your very close relatives and a few close friends. After all this is a special occasion and all of your guests should be special to you as well.

Small weddings are just as meaningful as large weddings. So, don’t think you have to spend $25,000 to have a beautiful wedding, if you plan a small wedding and all the people you love and love you are there, that’s all that matters. Weddings are not meant to be fashion shows or “all you can drink” affairs, they are sacred, intimate and a wonderful way to celebrate two people falling in love and deciding to spend the rest of their life together.

P.S. I love talking to brides so if you have any questions, feel free to email or call me.

Posted by Wedding Planner- Syvella Brantley

I was talking with a friend of mine about weddings and the new trends and how many wedding budgets are being cut because of the economy and job losses. I also stated that some couples may result to having Cake & Champagne receptions to keep cost down but still have a good time with their guests and she looked at me and said “See, that’s exactly why I take two wedding cards with me to wedding receptions I have been invited to; one has fifty dollars and one has $100 in and if the reception is boring and cheap, they get the card with the $50 check” I could not stop laughing at her. I thought this was hilarious but at the same time very cleaver. So, brides to be, be careful on how much you scale back, you don’t want to end up with the low-end gift. LOL

Posted by Syvella Brantley

Orange Rose Bouquet

Many brides choose to purchase and design their own wedding flowers, rather than hiring a floral designer. This is a great way to save money and ensure that what you want is what you really do get.

Although being in charge of your own flowers can add an extra amount of stress to your wedding day, careful planning and a lot of help can allow it to go smoothly. The most important things to remember when you are planning on purchasing and designing your own wedding flowers is to have a back-up plan in case something goes wrong, and be sure to allow plenty of time for putting the arrangements together.

One of the best places to buy your flowers is at a wholesale market. Many larger cities have these, but purchases are often restricted to authorized buyers. Check this out ahead of time, as you don’t want to turn up at the flower market the day before your wedding and find that you can’t buy anything! If you are planning on making the flower arrangements the day of the wedding, you will need to get to the flower market well before sunrise.

Smaller towns often have farmers’ markets that are open one or two days per week. By visiting a farmers’ market and talking with growers, you can pre-arrange a delivery or pick-up for the morning of the wedding. Farmers’ markets are considerably cheaper than buying flowers from established florists, but not as inexpensive as the wholesale market.

Large grocery stores are another option for buying both unarranged flowers and foliage, as well as complete flower arrangements. These stores often have young, talented flower arrangers who are eager to work on wedding arrangements. They are often more dependable than working with farmers’ markets or wholesalers, and their prices are usually cheaper than traditional wedding florists.

If you are considering purchasing your own flowers, be aware that things might not go as planned. In addition, make sure you purchase a wedding flowers design book that will give you instructions on how to arrange the flowers properly. And by all means, have a “Plan B”, just in case things don’t work out. You don’t need your wedding flowers to add more stress to your wedding day!

1. Enlist friends to transport the bridal party to and from the ceremony, and show your gratitude by buying them a tank of gas and a small gift.

2. Ask your attendants to drive themselves to the ceremony. Even though this option will save you money really try hard to provide transportation for your attendants.

3.Skip the amenities. Unless you plan on taking the car out for a whirl afterward, resist the bells and whistles such as a stocked bar, this may reduce the cost of the rental.

4. Ditch the chauffeured ride, and opt for a rental car that is equally as glamorous. Recruit someone reliable (and sober) to drive your rental.

5. Have an Off-Peak Wedding Day. Again, there is no rule that states that your wedding has to be held on a Saturday in June. If you hold your event on a day when rental vehicles are in less demand, chances are you can negotiate a considerable discount.

If you are going to hire a limo company to transport you and the bridal party then I would recommend two of my favorite limousine companies that offer great rates and outstanding customer service:

www.zbestlimo.com

www.anxtremelimoscene.com

Posted by Wedding Planner & Wedding Florist
Syvella Brantley

Through out the planning of your wedding you are going to speak with numerous vendors and it is very important that you get all of the promises made to you in writing. Never think that a verbal promise is going to be enough if the vendor does not deliver what they said they would. Always request to have all services, perks, promises, extras, etc. stated on your contract and don’t sign it until it does.

This is going to be one of the best pieces of advice that you will be so glad that you took especially if you end up taking one of your wedding professionals to court. “You told me you would….” will not hold up in court so make sure you GET IT IN WRITING!