C.) STRETCHING THE MONEY.

As you have probably noticed here in my blog, I am really trying my best to stretch the money.  From my bridal gown, to my favor boxes, and so on, I am trying to look for ways to make my expenses as less as possible.  According to one wedding book I have read just yesterday, an average wedding costs Au$31,900, while if a bride takes the cheapest option, the budget can be Au$8,800. And yes, the crazy me is aiming for something that’s half that price!

So much for the drama, here’s a list of ways I’m trying to stretch the money:

Designing and sewing my own bridal gown.
I’m proud to be saving thousands of dollars on this item! An average wedding gown costs nearly $2,000, so that means I’m saving nearly $1,900 by having a $100 budget for my bridal attire. See this post for the longer story of DIY-ing my bridal gown.

Recycling boxes for my favor boxes.
See this post for the long story.

Ask around a lot, before booking.
Before the engagement proper, Prince Charming and I had been talking about having our reception someday at Hotel A, which was were we attended a friend’s wedding reception for the first time together. After getting officially engaged, my heart was set on Hotel B, because the pictures they have of weddings held at that place were so beautiful and their wedding package costs 20% less than the price of Hotel A’s package. I was on the verge of booking the place, when they failed to answer one important email I sent. Due to the delay, I got impatient and began emailing other hotels to inquire about their wedding packages. Hotel C replied a few hours after I emailed my request, and gave me details of their wedding package, which has almost the same inclusions as that of Hotel B, but costs 15% less than Hotel B’s package.So really, ask various vendors and compare their offers before booking one.

Tiara.
I’m borrowing one of my nieces’ tiaras, as they have lots which they use for their proms and other formal parties.

Shoes.
I found a nice funny-colored neon pink flats at the mall the other day, which was on sale for $5 only. I’ll probably wear them to the reception. Prince Charming already gave me his approval on that whimsical plan.

Hair and Makeup.
I’m doing it myself, or get my aunt or sister to do my makeup.

Photography.
People say I should not skimp of this one, but I will. And why not? The cheapest professional package costs more than my reception package! My family and friends have digital cameras and video cameras anyway, so I’ll let them be my photographers. Aside from that, a friend of mine (who has a serious photography hobby for years) recently mentioned that if I will shoulder his travel expenses (which costs only around 10% of the cheapest package of a professional photographer in the city), he will be my photographer for free. I think I’ll go and have a chat with him about this deal and grab it if he seriously agrees!

Flowers.
I’m having wrist corsages, which contain lesser flowers, for my attendants instead of bouquets. For my own bouquet, I’m planning to buy nice artificial flowers at a thrift shop, arrange them myself and add some bling-bling maybe, which will be another DIY project for me. After the wedding, I can keep the flowers and probably put them in the living room vase later when we get our own house.

Decorations.
Renting is cheap, but it’s like money disappearing like bubbles in the air. After the event, its gone. Instead of renting, I intend to buy some inexpensive fabric to use as drapes, etc, for the reception hall. After the reception, I’m saving the fabric and turning them into fabric thingies in our new home: curtains, table clothes, pillowcases, aprons,… perhaps even a skirt or baby clothes.

Invites.
DIY, of course. I learned from another bride blogger (sorry, I forgot which one) that it is wise to buy the envelops first, then plan the size of the invites around that, and that I did. Also, do a mock up invitation first, before buying materials in bulk, so that if the materials didn’t look good together, or if the color or texture doesn’t feel right, you don’t have to throw away a whole ream and buy a new whole ream.

So, how about you? How are you stretching your wedding money?