Thursday, August 30, 2012

On Consignment

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding . . . the blog written by a father-of-the-bride and author of four wedding books, including Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget, Your Wedding Planner (kindle) and Before You Say "I Do". . . all available on Amazon.com.

Now here's an idea that could not only net you some spectacular wedding reception decor, but could be a win-win for you and everyone involved.

Consider some of the business owners in your area . . . antique dealers, artists, painters, crafters.  How many of these might welcome the opportunity to display their sale items or their work at your wedding reception?  Some of these type of items would make fantastic table setting, while other items could lend a theme or ambiance to your after-wedding event.

Better yet, the items on consignment might lead to sales for these business owners.  You receive some free decorative items and they receive additional sales.  A win-win.

Use your imagination and talk to some of the business owners in your area.  You will be surprised at the warm reception you might receive.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Cake Donuts

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding . . . a blog written by a father-of-the-bride and author of the books Before You Say "I Do", Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget, and Your Wedding Planner (Kindle).  Visit often to find money-saving and no-cost ideas for your wedding!

At a recent wedding reception I noted that there is a trend toward personalized cakes and desserts:  smaller items that are placed at table instead of a large cake (traditional) that the bride and groom cut and serve to guests.  The personalized, or smaller, cakes seem to be a big hit with guests, and the time and money savings is also evident.

Moreover, here's another idea:  how about serving up cake donuts at each table setting?  There are dozens of specialty cake donuts (and beautiful to boot) that guests would find tantalizing and delicious. And these donuts would most certainly be conversation-starters.

And yes, these donuts could even be created in the bride's colors. 

Check with your local bakery.  You will no doubt discover some low-cost and delicious options for your reception.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Centerpieces

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding...the blog written by a father-of-the-bride and author of books such as Before You Say "I Do", Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget, and 300 Debt-Free Wedding Ideas (kindle).

Looking for some low-cost centerpiece ideas for your reception tables?  Consider some of the following:

Display some of the collectables, artwork, or crafts created by family members (yes, you have them!).  You no doubt have wordworkers, artists and creative poeple in your family.

Display cut flowers from local gardens.

Display candles or arrangements.

Display baskets of various sizes and shapes.

Display family photographs of the bride/groom as children, etc.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Window Shopping

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding . . . the blog written by a father-of-the-bride who has also written the books Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget, 300 Debt-Free Wedding Ideas, and Before You Say "I Do".

There is a great deal of savings to be had from window shopping . . . or, in our time, thumbing through bridal magazines, newspapers, and scrolling through the internet.  The fact is, in a world of competition, a savvy bride can save money by comparing.  And the longer you work at comparing, the more you'll save.

Window shopping can be fun as well.  In time, the debt-free bride will spot the top bargains and the best selections for her.

For example, there are any number of bridal magazines at the local grocery store.  By investing a few dollars a bride can bring home an array of bridal gowns, accessories, and honeymoon tips.  She can find the best buys and then order these, or find them in her local bridal shop . . . saving time and money.

And don't overlook word-of-mouth.  Talk to a few other brides.  Ask them about money-saving tips. Ask them what they learned.  Ask them for the top three suggestions for your wedding.

Many ways to save by looking and listening.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Wedding Diary

Welcome to Debt-Free Wedding, the blog written by a father-of-the bride who is also author of the books: Your Beautiful Wedding on Any Budget, Debt-Free Wedding (kindle), Your Wedding Planner (kindle) and Before You Say "I Do".  Visit each week to collect dozens of money-saving ideas!

One of the ways to determine how well you are doing in your wedding budget is to keep a wedding diary. The diary can be a day-to-day list of your insights, feelings and observations . . . but it can also include your running list of items that you are considering, their various prices and more.  List-making can be a fun and insightful way to keep track of the best bargains and where they can be found.

Your wedding diary can also be that place where you store your clipped coupons or record dates for upcoming sales for dresses, candles, and much more.  In other words, it can be a working calendar that will keep you focused and positive in your goal to achieve a debt-free wedding.

Have fun with the diary, too.  You might create your own code celebrating some of your successes.

And who knows, your wedding diary might even become one of those keepsakes that you will treasure for years to come.