Hello future brides! My name is China Barbie, and I am here to tell you; "Your wedding does not have to bankrupt you!"
I got married in June, and I paid full price for almost nothing for my entire wedding! So I have here the tips and tricks I used for my wedding, that helped me save BIG!
You can use one of them, or you can use them all! Either way, get ready to save some money!
I got married in June, and I paid full price for almost nothing for my entire wedding! So I have here the tips and tricks I used for my wedding, that helped me save BIG!
You can use one of them, or you can use them all! Either way, get ready to save some money!
Tip #1- Work for your Vendors!
I have a friend who worked at a country club for a couple years while going to college. The only reason she worked there? So she could get a discount on her wedding reception!
I worked a second job at a Chinese Restaurant for a year while I was engaged, just so I could get a 30% discount from them on our food!
I worked for our photographer whenever he needed help, to get money taken off the total cost.
I also got the kegs of beer for our reception at cost because I got them from the sports bar I work at!!!
I put this tip as #1, because this tip saved me almost $1,000!!!
This is a very simple, and very smart move! And! If you get a second job, you can put your paychecks from that job directly towards your wedding!
I have a friend who worked at a country club for a couple years while going to college. The only reason she worked there? So she could get a discount on her wedding reception!
I worked a second job at a Chinese Restaurant for a year while I was engaged, just so I could get a 30% discount from them on our food!
I worked for our photographer whenever he needed help, to get money taken off the total cost.
I also got the kegs of beer for our reception at cost because I got them from the sports bar I work at!!!
I put this tip as #1, because this tip saved me almost $1,000!!!
This is a very simple, and very smart move! And! If you get a second job, you can put your paychecks from that job directly towards your wedding!
|
|
Tip #2- Become a Crazy Coupon-ing Bride!
This is one of my favorite tips I used for my wedding! While I was planning my wedding, I never went into Joann Fabrics without at least one coupon on me, and it saved me a ton!
Here are my biggest bridal coupon-ing secrets!
-Go to www.joann.com/coupon any time before you go to Joann Fabrics (which is the best place to buy wedding stuff!), or sign up for their text alerts by texting 56266.
-For our Save the Dates, I just printed out our picture in postcard sizes at Office Max. I receive coupons from them bi-monthly, so I got 20% off of my entire Save the Date Prints!
-I bought a lot of fun wedding stuff from Oriental Trade (you know, that awesome bulk-buying magazine you used to get as a kid, that had a bunch of themed party supplies, and glowsticks?!!). Well, they actually have a lot of nice wedding stuff!!!
Go todealcatcher, or retailmenot, search Oriental Trade (or any online store you're looking to buy from), and get your free coupon codes!!!
This is one of my favorite tips I used for my wedding! While I was planning my wedding, I never went into Joann Fabrics without at least one coupon on me, and it saved me a ton!
Here are my biggest bridal coupon-ing secrets!
-Go to www.joann.com/coupon any time before you go to Joann Fabrics (which is the best place to buy wedding stuff!), or sign up for their text alerts by texting 56266.
-For our Save the Dates, I just printed out our picture in postcard sizes at Office Max. I receive coupons from them bi-monthly, so I got 20% off of my entire Save the Date Prints!
-I bought a lot of fun wedding stuff from Oriental Trade (you know, that awesome bulk-buying magazine you used to get as a kid, that had a bunch of themed party supplies, and glowsticks?!!). Well, they actually have a lot of nice wedding stuff!!!
Go todealcatcher, or retailmenot, search Oriental Trade (or any online store you're looking to buy from), and get your free coupon codes!!!
Tip #3- Rent!
Renting is one of the biggest ways you can save on your wedding (and not have 100 glass jars sitting in the back of your closet for the next ten years!)!
I do have my own wedding rental business (here), but you don't have to go with mine, check out any rental business in your area, and start saving!
Renting is one of the biggest ways you can save on your wedding (and not have 100 glass jars sitting in the back of your closet for the next ten years!)!
I do have my own wedding rental business (here), but you don't have to go with mine, check out any rental business in your area, and start saving!
Tip #4- Pay in Cash!
When I bought my wedding dress, I received ten percent off for paying in cash, and another ten percent off for paying in full!!! I saved over $200 by paying in cash!
Whenever you're paying for a big ticket item, simply ask if they offer a cash discount! The worst that can happen is they say no, you say ok, and you move on!
When I bought my wedding dress, I received ten percent off for paying in cash, and another ten percent off for paying in full!!! I saved over $200 by paying in cash!
Whenever you're paying for a big ticket item, simply ask if they offer a cash discount! The worst that can happen is they say no, you say ok, and you move on!
|
|
Tip #5- Make it Yourself
Diy-ing your wedding ensures that not only will you spend less money, but that your special day will truly be special and unique, and not look like every other wedding you see on Pinterest!
I made (ok my fiance helped out too!) our centerpieces, all the flower bouquets, our cake stand, my garter, the table runners, my veil, the flower girl's basket, our guest book, the hairbow I wore to the reception, and the bridesmaids purple ribbon wraps!
This tip saved us such a large amount of money! Plus, it was super fun!
Diy-ing your wedding ensures that not only will you spend less money, but that your special day will truly be special and unique, and not look like every other wedding you see on Pinterest!
I made (ok my fiance helped out too!) our centerpieces, all the flower bouquets, our cake stand, my garter, the table runners, my veil, the flower girl's basket, our guest book, the hairbow I wore to the reception, and the bridesmaids purple ribbon wraps!
This tip saved us such a large amount of money! Plus, it was super fun!
Tip #6- Buy in bulk
I went to Zinck's, an Amish outlet fabric store, and bought the roll of lace you see above, for $5.00!!! The lace was over 200 yards long!!!!
I used this lace for everything! That's the great thing about buying in bulk, it (very inexpensively) helps seamlessly blend all the elements of your wedding together!
I went to Zinck's, an Amish outlet fabric store, and bought the roll of lace you see above, for $5.00!!! The lace was over 200 yards long!!!!
I used this lace for everything! That's the great thing about buying in bulk, it (very inexpensively) helps seamlessly blend all the elements of your wedding together!
#7. Use your bartering skills
Nick actually tattoed our officiant for his services!
I received a discount from our videographer, and day-of wedding coordinator in exchange for advertising their businesses on this blog!
Just figure out what you're good at that people want, and offer it! Just be sure that when you ask, be super nice about it, and make sure that neither of you come away feeling ripped off!
Nick actually tattoed our officiant for his services!
I received a discount from our videographer, and day-of wedding coordinator in exchange for advertising their businesses on this blog!
Just figure out what you're good at that people want, and offer it! Just be sure that when you ask, be super nice about it, and make sure that neither of you come away feeling ripped off!
|
|
#8. Go to a Bridal Show
Bridal Shows are so much fun to go to!!! You will eat way too many free samples of cake, get to see lots of adorable ideas of set-ups, get to meet with and talk to vendors face to face, and get bridal show coupons and discounts!!!
I got 20% off my entire bill at the rental business I got my tablecloths and coffee maker from, because I got their coupon at a local bridal show!
Bridal Shows are so much fun to go to!!! You will eat way too many free samples of cake, get to see lots of adorable ideas of set-ups, get to meet with and talk to vendors face to face, and get bridal show coupons and discounts!!!
I got 20% off my entire bill at the rental business I got my tablecloths and coffee maker from, because I got their coupon at a local bridal show!
#9. Support Small Businesses
I am an avid supporter of small businesses in general, but for your wedding, it is actually a really smart move to go with a small business! When you hire a small business, not only are you getting their full attention, but they work extra hard to make sure that you're happy with their services! You can also most likely get a great price, because they don't have a lot of employees and overhead to pay for! I used mostly small businesses for my wedding vendors, and I was extremely happy with all of them! I have a complete list of my vendors at the bottom of the page!
I am an avid supporter of small businesses in general, but for your wedding, it is actually a really smart move to go with a small business! When you hire a small business, not only are you getting their full attention, but they work extra hard to make sure that you're happy with their services! You can also most likely get a great price, because they don't have a lot of employees and overhead to pay for! I used mostly small businesses for my wedding vendors, and I was extremely happy with all of them! I have a complete list of my vendors at the bottom of the page!
#10. Don't Use "Wedding Services"
As soon as something is marked as "wedding", the price shoots way up!
For our reception hall, we used a rental hall, instead of a wedding rental hall. It only cost $450, and we could bring in our own food and drinks, which saved us a lot!
Our ceremony venue was a theatre, and we saved money by using that instead of a wedding venue!
As soon as something is marked as "wedding", the price shoots way up!
For our reception hall, we used a rental hall, instead of a wedding rental hall. It only cost $450, and we could bring in our own food and drinks, which saved us a lot!
Our ceremony venue was a theatre, and we saved money by using that instead of a wedding venue!
So those are some of my tips to have your dream wedding on a budget!
And my last tip, is just to think outside the box! Sit down with a pen and paper, and write exactly what you want your wedding to look and feel like. Make sketches, and make a plan! Use that great brain of yours!
And my last tip, is just to think outside the box! Sit down with a pen and paper, and write exactly what you want your wedding to look and feel like. Make sketches, and make a plan! Use that great brain of yours!
My Vendors!
These were all the vendors I used for our wedding, and I could not have asked for anything better! Take a look, I highly recommend all of them!
• Photographer:
Lisa Austin from Graham River Productions.
Our pictures turned out amaaaaazing (as you can tell here. And here!).
http://www.grahamriver.com
• Videographer:
Captured Occasions.
Not hiring a videographer is one of the top regret of brides! Make sure that's not one of yours! Watch ours here. This video literally made me cry! It was so incredible to be able to watch our big day together! Captured Occasions is a small business, the owner Rachel was the person who actually was at our wedding! She did absolutely incredible! I highly, highly recommend her!
http://www.reellifeonvideo.com
• Wedding Planner:
Perfectly Planned by Val. I planned my own wedding, but I hired Val for my Day-of-Coordinator. I very much recommend getting yourself a day of coordinator! It takes all the pressure off you on your big day! She yelled at everyone for me so that I didn't have to, and made sure everything ran perfectly!
http://www.perfectlyplannedbyval.com
• Ceremony Venue:
Lion's Lincoln Theatre
https://www.lionslincolntheatre.com
• Reception Venue:
The Oaks Club
http://www.the-oaks-club.com
• My Dress:
Unusual Junction's Universe Bridal and Prom
http://universebridalandprom.com/
• My Shoes:
White Converse All Stars
• My Headpiece:
I made my veil, and the bow I wore at the reception. I bought
the fabric for both of them at JoAnn Fabrics.
• My Jewellery:
My mom bought me my pearl necklace from a second hand store (not
sure if it's real or not, it was only $10 so I'm guessing not!),
and I bought my pearl bracelet from Eden Ministries, the organization
that I work with, that helps get women and young girls in China's red
light district help and an escape from prostitution. I also bought one
for my mom and mother in law.
https://edenministry.org
• My Hair:
Abby Warther Hair Studio. Bri Scott did my hair, and she did amazing!
I am absolutely obsessed with my wedding day hair! I get so happy every
time I see it!
http://www.awhairstudio.com
• My Make Up:
I did my own makeup. After a terrible experience with an airbrush artist
who made me look way too tan, and not look like myself at all, I decided
to just do my makeup myself. I was super nervous about it, but it turned
out perfect, I looked like me, and I am so glad I was true to myself and
did my own makeup!
• Groom’s Attire:
Hollister Slim Fit Jeans, a George long sleeved white button up shirt,
black and white OP shoes, black dickies perry suspenders, a black American
Commodore Tuxedo Jacket with tails that I bought him at a garage sale
for $.25 (!), and a V6 watch.
• Bridesmaid’s Dresses:
The bridesmaids wore black dresses and black shoes. They didn't
match at all, I just told them the requirements, and they bought
whatever shoes and dresses they wanted. My sister got her dress at a second
hand shop for $10! They also wore black and white scarves that I found
at vintage shops, tied around their necks, and purple ribbon tied around
their ankles.
• Cake:
The top tier of the cake stand was a delicious white cake made by Katy's
Kreations, and the donuts were from Krispy Kreme, which Katy from
Katy's Kreations picked up, dropped off, and arranged beautifully.
I have wanted a Krispy Kreme Donut Wedding Cake since I was a little
girl, and I was not disappointed one bit!
https://www.facebook.com/KatysKreations
• Flowers:
I made all my own flower bouquets and flower arrangements from fake
flowers I got at the Flower Factory.
https://www.flowerfactory.com/
• Stationery:
The invitations were party invitations from Party City. We made our
own Save the Dates and printed them out at Office Max.
• Caterers:
Ming Hing, a Chinese Restaurant that I worked at, was our caterer.
Everyone loved having Chinese food, we got so many compliments on it!
https://sites.google.com/site/minghingorrville/home
• DJ:
Our friend Kevin started his own dj company, Synchronicity Sound, and
he did so great!
https://www.facebook.com/synchronicitysound
These were all the vendors I used for our wedding, and I could not have asked for anything better! Take a look, I highly recommend all of them!
• Photographer:
Lisa Austin from Graham River Productions.
Our pictures turned out amaaaaazing (as you can tell here. And here!).
http://www.grahamriver.com
• Videographer:
Captured Occasions.
Not hiring a videographer is one of the top regret of brides! Make sure that's not one of yours! Watch ours here. This video literally made me cry! It was so incredible to be able to watch our big day together! Captured Occasions is a small business, the owner Rachel was the person who actually was at our wedding! She did absolutely incredible! I highly, highly recommend her!
http://www.reellifeonvideo.com
• Wedding Planner:
Perfectly Planned by Val. I planned my own wedding, but I hired Val for my Day-of-Coordinator. I very much recommend getting yourself a day of coordinator! It takes all the pressure off you on your big day! She yelled at everyone for me so that I didn't have to, and made sure everything ran perfectly!
http://www.perfectlyplannedbyval.com
• Ceremony Venue:
Lion's Lincoln Theatre
https://www.lionslincolntheatre.com
• Reception Venue:
The Oaks Club
http://www.the-oaks-club.com
• My Dress:
Unusual Junction's Universe Bridal and Prom
http://universebridalandprom.com/
• My Shoes:
White Converse All Stars
• My Headpiece:
I made my veil, and the bow I wore at the reception. I bought
the fabric for both of them at JoAnn Fabrics.
• My Jewellery:
My mom bought me my pearl necklace from a second hand store (not
sure if it's real or not, it was only $10 so I'm guessing not!),
and I bought my pearl bracelet from Eden Ministries, the organization
that I work with, that helps get women and young girls in China's red
light district help and an escape from prostitution. I also bought one
for my mom and mother in law.
https://edenministry.org
• My Hair:
Abby Warther Hair Studio. Bri Scott did my hair, and she did amazing!
I am absolutely obsessed with my wedding day hair! I get so happy every
time I see it!
http://www.awhairstudio.com
• My Make Up:
I did my own makeup. After a terrible experience with an airbrush artist
who made me look way too tan, and not look like myself at all, I decided
to just do my makeup myself. I was super nervous about it, but it turned
out perfect, I looked like me, and I am so glad I was true to myself and
did my own makeup!
• Groom’s Attire:
Hollister Slim Fit Jeans, a George long sleeved white button up shirt,
black and white OP shoes, black dickies perry suspenders, a black American
Commodore Tuxedo Jacket with tails that I bought him at a garage sale
for $.25 (!), and a V6 watch.
• Bridesmaid’s Dresses:
The bridesmaids wore black dresses and black shoes. They didn't
match at all, I just told them the requirements, and they bought
whatever shoes and dresses they wanted. My sister got her dress at a second
hand shop for $10! They also wore black and white scarves that I found
at vintage shops, tied around their necks, and purple ribbon tied around
their ankles.
• Cake:
The top tier of the cake stand was a delicious white cake made by Katy's
Kreations, and the donuts were from Krispy Kreme, which Katy from
Katy's Kreations picked up, dropped off, and arranged beautifully.
I have wanted a Krispy Kreme Donut Wedding Cake since I was a little
girl, and I was not disappointed one bit!
https://www.facebook.com/KatysKreations
• Flowers:
I made all my own flower bouquets and flower arrangements from fake
flowers I got at the Flower Factory.
https://www.flowerfactory.com/
• Stationery:
The invitations were party invitations from Party City. We made our
own Save the Dates and printed them out at Office Max.
• Caterers:
Ming Hing, a Chinese Restaurant that I worked at, was our caterer.
Everyone loved having Chinese food, we got so many compliments on it!
https://sites.google.com/site/minghingorrville/home
• DJ:
Our friend Kevin started his own dj company, Synchronicity Sound, and
he did so great!
https://www.facebook.com/synchronicitysound
Peace Love and Weddings
Jess <3
More Articles You Might Like:
My Engagement Pictures
|
Our Wedding!
|
Our Wedding Ceremony Pictures
|
Don't forget to like us on facebook!
