I’m so happy to introduce today’s guest blogger, Austin Floyd of Last Minute Planners.  Austin has been in the planning business since 2003 when she planned her own wedding!  Austin and her team are located in Mt. Juliet but can accommodate your wedding and event planning needs anywhere in the Middle Tennessee area and are also available for travel.

Photo Credit AS Photography

Without further ado, here are Austin’s Money Saving Monday tips:

Use your creativity and your resources…

Every bride I meet with usually has an idea of a feel, theme, color selection, etc. to start with, no matter how early in the planning process she is. 

For example, I am currently working with a client who would like to keep her January, 2010 wedding simple, chic and vintage!

For her wedding we will be using cobalt blue vases with white flowers for centerpieces. Each vase is different is size and shape, they were each cost between $2-$4, purchased at local flea markets and will double as bridal party gifts after the wedding.

She also purchased mini cobalt blue votive holders to create some ambiance. 

For the cake, she is in love with the simple elegance of this white iced cake with the matching blue ribbon and beautiful vintage brooches.

Crystal’s cake that we photographed a few weeks ago was very similar to this style, only with flowers instead of brooches.

We will be taking the brooches a step further by pinning similar styled brooches on blue ribbon, with a “thank you” note attached and tying the ribbon around napkins for napkin rings. The brooches have been purchased in bulk from www.eBay.com and will again, double as guest favors after the ceremony.

Additionally:

(1) When you are meeting with your planner, florist or person in charge of decorating for your special day-find out what can be double purposed. You have two amazing ceremony centerpieces, could they be placed on your appetizer tables immediately after the ceremony?

(2) Do you want everything to match exactly? A lot of times, as with the wedding above, using mix and matched items in the same color scheme and/or style will look just as amazing. Visit your local flea market for some incredibly unique décor items.

(3) Use what you already have. I have a bride who coaches baseball and we are incorporating used baseballs in some cylinder vases as part of her centerpiece tablescape for a unique, “Fall Classic” feel.

(4) Hire a Planner! This will save you lots of money by helping you find those perfect ideas without driving all over town and then let you know who you should hire to put those ideas in motion. If you are looking, but haven’t found the one for you yet, you can reach us at 615-485-8078 or lastminuteplanners@yahoo.com.

Austin, thank you so much for the tips!!  I look forward to working with you soon!