Wedding Budget Tips

Budgeting Tips for the Wedding

Weddings are suppose to be a joyful time in our life, but for many people, they turn out to be a costly nightmare! However, this does not have to be the case at all. In fact, there are tons of different wedding budget ideas out their that you can use to get the most out of your wedding without having to spend an arm and a leg. A wedding budget is also a good way to make sure that you do not go to over the top with planning the wedding. After all, you are starting a new life with the person you love, and you don't want to start off that life in debt because of your wedding! Today we are going to cover a few wedding budget ideas that could save you a ton of money but still give you that wedding you have always dreamed of.

Sample Wedding Budget Ideas that you can use:

•First of all, you already know that flowers can make or break a wedding. However, that does not mean that you have to hire someone to make your flower arrangements. Online you can find tons of different flower arrangements that you can do yourself. After finding the flower arrangement that is right for you (weather it's with fake or real plants), you can gather friends and family together to help you make them. Budget wedding flowers like these can save you tons of money on your wedding.

•The next budget wedding idea has to do with planning your wedding during an off peak season. There are some seasons that are always loaded with weddings. During these times, the prices of popular vendors are going to go through the roof. However, if you can get married during off months, like November through April, then you are going to get a much better deal on services.

•A wedding budget is not complete without a wedding coordinator. When people think of a wedding coordinator, they think of extra expenses. However, wedding coordinators of today can help you by keeping you within a budget that you need. Not only can they help you stay within the budget you have set, but they can help you plan everything, which will take stress off of you.

•Another very costly thing at weddings is the bar. There are many companies that you can hire that will set up a “five hour bar” for you. This is a bar that serves drinks for five hours. Normally this is long enough to get people through the party. However, a great alternative to this is to use a budget bar. This is where you have a bar set up where people can just grab beer or wine all night long. Maybe for an hour you will serve cocktails, but mostly it will just be the beer and wine. Also, champagne punch is always a very classy touch if that is what you are looking for. It allows you to be a little classy without having to spend too much money.

•Next you have to note that a wedding budget can not be put together if you wait until the last minute, meaning that you don't need to put tasks off until the last second. Start planning early. It is better to be over prepared than under prepared. You may also note that this helps you to be more relaxed about the wedding.

•Another good task to give you the feeling that you are saving money is to pay ahead of time for things. Do not wait until the wedding day to pay for everything at once. Although you are really still paying the full price, it will feel like you are spending less money, because you are paying for it a little at a time. This helps out more than people know.

•Next, be sure that you are on a realistic track! It is one thing to tell people what you “want” for your wedding and another thing all together to tell people what you “need” for your wedding. Cover the things that you need first, and find out how much it will be before you get into ordering things that you want.

•Another good tip for budget weddings is to have place card favors. This is a great way to tell people thanks for coming to the wedding without having to spend a lot of money. After all, wedding favors should not have to break your bank.

Overall, when it comes to weddings, you want to be debt free by the end of it, or at least not add any more debt to what you already have. You want your wedding to be a fun day, and a day that you remember because you married the person of your dreams, not because you went further into debt!

Top 10 Wedding Favors Brides Are Buying

Wedding Favor Trends For 2009 - What Brides Are Buying

Sure we can tell you what we like as our top ten wedding favors, but how authentic would that list be? Over the years, new trends emerge which lead many to believe certain favors are “all the rage”. For the trendy and modern bride there is a plethora of super chic, new wedding favors to select from. And for the traditional bride, there is even a larger selection of wedding favors on the market to choose between. So what’s a bride to do?

To narrow down your favor choices, why not consider these top 10 wedding favor categories and items.

1) Wedding Favor Boxes and Packaging - I don’t think the economy has anything to do with this category being first, brides have traditionally given out Jordan Almonds or candies as wedding favors. With so many boxes, bags, mint tins, pails and unique containers such as little luggage bags - it is no wonder why there is such a selection available - brides want containers for their favors. Our most popular, tried and true favor is our Miniature Silver Pails & Buckets.

2) Wine Stopper Wedding Favors - A favorite category throughout the years, wine stoppers or bottle stoppers are a traditional wedding favor - and for good reason. With so many households owning wine (whether it be for cooking or drinking) everyone can use a wine stopper. Wine stoppers aren’t only for wine though - their tapered design can multiple O rings can fit a variety of bottles and neck sizes. Our bestseller in this category is our Chrome Heart Bottle Stopper With Free Personalized Tags

3) Candy Wedding Favors - a smart choice for couples getting married, candy wedding favors are something guaranteed to please everyone on your guest list. From chocolates to personalized mint tins, gumball machines to personalized candy bars - if its edible, it’s a best seller. Some brides are combining the personalized wedding trend with DIY favors on a budget which is why our Personalized Candy Jars fit this category perfectly and are our bestseller.

4) Personalized Glassware - Remember back in the days when you would get a champagne glass with the couple’s name and wedding date on it? Well - personalized glassware remains very popular. Our bestselling glassware is our Personalized shot glass / votive holders, but our Spiral Stem Champagne Flutes and Personalized Wine Glasses also do very well. For a modern touch, select a Monogram design.

5) Place Card Frames - Let’s face it - your wedding thank you photo will be wallet sized and mailed to your guests after the wedding. But what are they to do with it if they don’t have a frame which fits? Besides, you’ll need something to hold your seating assignments and place cards. Voila! A frame which serves double duty as reception décor and as a wedding favor. Our most popular frame is our Beautifully Beaded Place Card / Photo Frame in Silver, but it is also available in gold.

6) Personalized Wedding Favors - years ago, people used to tie ribbons to their favors or tulle Jordan almond pouches to add a personalized touch to their favors. (And they still do!) But for a more modern touch, couples are giving out personalized wedding favors to their guests. While it’s always been a touch decision as to what favors would suit the men and women on a guest list, our Personalized Two Of A Kind Playing Cards suit this age old dilemma remarkably.

7) Wedding Bells - Nothing says traditional like a wedding bell. Whether they are sending the couple off with a ring or ringing for a kiss, bells make great wedding favors. While our Mini Ring For A Kiss bells do remarkably well, we do not suggest using them as favors - table decorations, favor tie ons, yes, but favors no - these are just too small. Our most popular wedding bell is our Fluted Wedding Bells in Silver or Gold. They have been featured in many magazines and articles and are a beautiful, traditional, shape, size and feel.

8) Wedding Fans - Since the majority of weddings occur between the months of April through September, it is no wonder why wedding fans do so well - these are the warmest months of the year. Fans can be used for outdoor weddings, beach weddings, in churches without air conditioning - and the most popular wedding fans we carry are our Mini Buri Fans and our Sandalwood Fans in Glass Top White Boxes.

9) Mirror Wedding Favors - I think mirrors do so well for several reasons: they are stylishly designed, they are affordable, and many brides feel that wedding favors are ultimately used by their female attendees. They also make for great bridal shower favors, so this is possibly why this category does so amazing well. If you look in this section, 6 of our top 100 favors are bestselling. Our most popular are our Handbag design compact mirrors and our Styling Black Heart Design Mirrors.

10) Candle Wedding Favors - Candles can range from the traditional to the modern, from the sleek to elaborate. Crystal to resin. There are so many candles marketed to brides there is definitely a design to suit your wedding taste. Our most popular wedding favor candle is our Rose Ball Candle With Free Personalized Tags.

I hope that this article was able to give you some wedding favor ideas for your upcoming nuptials. If you need any further suggestions, ideas or advice feel free to contact us for additional ideas and assistance.

© 2009 Erica Tevis, Little Things Favors