Amy is spearheading a revolution in wedding day groom activity.  Having your man and his groomsmen spend the morning at Uncle is a wonderful alternative to the golf course or other day-of wedding activity.  You and your ladies are probably spending the morning in hair and makeup so it’s only right that the dudes have some pampering as well.  And by pampering, I mean the most manly of shaves in a place that has sports on the TVs at all time.

Also?  You know how hard men are to buy for??  Problem solved.  Uncle offers gift sets in a variety of price ranges.  I promise you they don’t need another monogramed flask.  Get them a gift set from Uncle and they will thank you and so will their girlfriend!

And because Amy is so awesome, she has kindly offered up a gift certificate for a hair cut to one lucky reader’s man!  All you need to do is (a) live close enough to either the Belle Meade or Brentwood location for your Mr. to use it and (b) leave me a comment here telling me why your Mr. deserves a good manly pampering.

**Contest will end Monday, May 2nd at 5:00pm central time.  I’ll announce the winner later that evening.  Thanks for playing!!**

***Contest is now closed!  Our winner is Emily!  Thank you all so much!***

*I would also like to add the disclaimer that I was given a giftcard for John, who had not cut his hair since before Christmas.  He was thrilled with the service and the haircut he received.  I was thrilled that I no longer have to worry about him turning into a caveman.  Thanks Amy!!

Five real-life examples for penny-pinching brides:

As a fellow penny pincher (with everyday expenses and with my own wedding) I can empathize with those brides who try to balance saving money and planning the perfect wedding.  Believe us ladies: the perfect balance can be achieved!

For starters, choose 3 things that are most important to the two of you.  Flowers?   Bar?  Venue?   Food?  Choose what is important to you and focus your attention on those three things.  Will you sacrifice favors to enhance the bar?  Ditch the bar to fund the flowers?  Cut the catering to spring for a live band?  Prioritize!   Below are 5 ways in which real brides saved money while not compromising their overall design/theme/feel.

1. Our friends (and clients) A and M were married in May 2009 in Athens, TN.  Instead of ordering flower arrangements for each of the 15 tables in their reception venue, the couple rented potted plants from a local nursery.  The plants cost $6 each and were dropped off the day of the event by the nursery, saving the couple nearly $25 per table and no delivery charge!  The flowers added an elegant, yet casual feel to their spring-themed wedding and with the money saved, they enhanced the bar!

2. Clay’s brother and sister-in-law were married in December 2006.  Instead of a dinner reception, B and S opted for a dessert reception and paired cookies, brownies, and other yummy holiday treats with coffee and cider, saving probably $8 per person!  Because large dinner plates, dinner forks and stemware were not needed, the couple saved on their rental/catering bill also.

3. Clients (and friends) C and M were married in October 2009.  M’s sorority sister and close friend, Amy, is a graphic design major at MTSU.  M enlisted her help with save-the-dates, invitations, and programs.  Not only did M endorse Amy’s talents and boost her portfolio, she paid only for the paper and supplies and the cuts made to the designs, paying only a fraction of what a custom design would typically cost!  With the money saved, M offered a spectacular menu at the reception!

4. While planning our own wedding, Clay and I wanted LOTS of flowers!  I asked a friend’s mom (who has a lifetime of flower experience!) to create and assemble my floral décor for the church and reception site.  By ordering flowers wholesale, we saved nearly $3000, some of which I gave back to our friend for her services, patience and expertise!  The remainder of the saved money was put towards a trumpet and organ player for our service!

5. My sister-in-law, J, saved big when she allowed Knoxville photographer Nancy Hellsten to second shoot her wedding.  Nancy and J met on theknot.com when Nancy was just beginning her photography business.  She was looking for wedding experience and asked J about the possibility of taking some shots at her September 2005 affair.  J and T were given all the pictures taken that day….and good thing…J’s other photographer missed some important events that Nancy was able to capture!  Not only did J and T get some fantastic shots of their wedding, but Nancy gained two more clients:  J’s brothers, B and Clay! (Or you can just hire us – every package includes a DVD of your images with reproduction rights )

Every wedding expert is going to suggest ways to save money, but oftentimes a planner will save you enough money through contacts and negotiations to pay for his or her services!  Our best advice for brides-to-be: plan well, pool your talents & resources and negotiate!  Should you have questions or need further advice, shoot us an email!  We are happy to help and would love to discuss plans for your fantastic affair!

Thanks so much Emily!  I enjoyed reading about your real life money-saving examples and enjoyed meeting you tonight.  Brides -don’t forget to check out Emily’s blog where she shares even more tips that can help you save big!

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!

Let’s face it, whether the economy is good or bad, gas prices are high or low, etc… everybody wants to save money on their wedding. The key is to do with without sacrificing what is really important to you. 

When I sit down with a bride and groom for the first time, one of my questions is “What are your top priorities in order of importance for your big day?” By asking this, it gives me an idea of where that particular couple may be able to save a little or put that money towards a more important area to them.

Here are a few money saving tips that will leave you with a beautiful and memorable wedding without breaking the bank. 

Limit your Guest List!! Each time a person is added to your guest list, it increases your budget considerably. You are adding additional catering costs, rentals, centerpieces, favors, etc… To get more bang for your buck, limit your guest list by, not inviting people you haven’t seen in over 5 years, don’t invite all of your work colleagues and don’t feel obligated to let single friends bring a date. Parents have a particularly hard time limiting their guest lists, so break down your budget to a per head count and make an A list and a B list. Really think about how close you are to those people and who you really would want to be a part of your special day. 

Reduce the number of people in your bridal party. Think about just having your closest friends by your side on the big day. Having your cousin be a bridesmaid, because you were best friends at age 5, but haven’t really been close to since then, doesn’t make any sense for anyone. Considering the average bridesmaids bouquet can range $65.00 to $95.00 a piece, each girl added can get very pricey. Boutonnières for groomsmen and ushers typically range $10.00 – $18.00. By having 3 attendants on each side, rather than say 8, you easily save a few hundred dollars, just in flowers alone, not to mention, bridal party gifts and other expenses.

Consider having your wedding on a different day of the week or a month that is not as popular. If you choose to have your wedding on a Friday night or a Sunday, your vendors and venue may be able to be more flexible with their pricing, because they are not as in demand as a Saturday. Some brides are even choosing to have their weddings in the middle of the week. Also, choosing a month, other than May, June or October, the three most popular wedding months, will typically be a little less expensive, plus you won’t be competing with, as many other brides to get the vendors you want. Shoot for January, February or even November and you’ll be sure to get great deals. Also, consider December, because many places will be decorated for the holidays and that will save you in the décor department. 

Use every connection you have. Do you have an Aunt who has beautiful handwriting and calligraphy skills? Ask her to address your invitations as a gift to you. Does your mother have a friend who has made wedding cakes for years? See if she will cut you a deal on the cake. What about a friend who always did your hair and make-up? Ask if she could do it the day of the wedding. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. People want to help however they can and many times will help for free or charge very little. 

Pick a venue that does not require a lot of decorating. Finding a place with natural charm, that needs very little done to it, will save you a fortune. Also, find a place that includes the majority of your rentals, chairs, linens, even centerpieces. The less you have to bring into the space, the better. Many people think they will just rent some land, put down a big tent, rent chairs and tables and that will be a simple and cheap way to go. VERY WRONG! Many times for the cost it takes to rent all of those things, plus lighting, power, catering tent requirements, etc… you could have had your wedding reception in an amazing ballroom with no worries. Do some math and consider convenience and peace of mind.

Consider hiring a wedding planner. Planners specialize in helping you put your budget in the right areas and help ease the anxiety along the way. We know the vendors who can offer the right services and prices for you. It takes the guess work, out of the planning and you’ll find that the peace of mind you get from having a planner, will be worth it in the end.

There are many more Money Saving tips coming your way on Money Saving Mondays. Please feel free to call me at 615-972-8084 or email me at contact@onefinedaynashville.com

Thank you so much Mary!  To illustrate your point about choosing a naturally beautiful location, here’s a quick sneak peek of Crystal and Justin’s wedding this past Saturday.  More of their wedding to come later this week!

Photo Credit: Joshua McCoy

Here is what Leona had to add to our growing library of Money Saving Monday tips:

If you are working with a budget, which most brides are, I would say foremost to hire a wedding planner.   We will be able to advise you where to cut corners that won’t be noticed, and give you excellent tips for small details that make a big impression.

One thing that I love using is the couple’s monogram on as much as we can.   This helps tie everything together while using their colors and is something very personal.   You can purchase custom monograms made for you for very little from many companies, I do originals is a company that I use for my brides. (www.idooriginals.com)   They are a great company and their work is amazing.   Once you get the monograms you can use them wherever you like.   This is a great thing to add to your invitation to give guests a great first impression.   Invitations aren’t that hard to make yourself if you purchase a package from your local office supply store.

Another easy DIY project is your programs for your ceremony and these are another great place to use your custom monogram.   You can make reserved signs for your family for both the ceremony and the reception on card stock and incorporate your monogram.   I do originals also offers aisle runners, banners and other items that allow you to use your monogram.   While these are relatively inexpensive items they add a great deal to your décor and leave a great impression.

These are all things that you can get help with from your bridal party.   Maybe one of your groomsmen majored in graphic design and would love to design your monogram.   Find out all the hidden talents that your bridal party has and use them to your best ability.

Leona, thank you so much for your helpful advice!!  Be sure to check out Leona’s website and blog to see how you can have her help you with your big day. 

1) Hire a wedding planner. They can help you save money on your wedding by eliminating things that are unnecessary for the day and keeping you right on budget. And trust them! They know what they are doing and spend hours researching the best vendors, like Lotus Blossom Photography, and will recommend vendors that fit your budget. They help you discover your style and convey your vision and that is the most important aspect of your wedding.

2) Talk to Other Brides- Bouncing DIY Ideas off of other brides, theknot.com has a great community feature, can help you come up with some amazing ideas. From  Invitations to Save the Dates to vendor recommendations!

3) Less is Best- while it might be the hottest rave in weddings to have every candy known to man kind, as well as the most expensive linens and lighting, consider having a natural ceremony in a field or even going green! The beauty of a garden wedding at sunset is unforgettable and will bring its own florals and lighting.

4) Consider having a weekday or even Friday or Sunday wedding. Because Saturdays are the typical wedding day, many event venues and even other vendors will offer lower pricing because of the off day. You can score a $2000 venue for $500 by having your wedding on a Thursday night.

5) NEGOTIATE- Don’t pay for things that you don’t need. See if they can replace elements of their pre-existing packages for other elements that are important to you. If one of their packages do not meet your needs, ask them to sit down with you and your Fiancé and customize a package to exactly what you need from their services.

Thank you so much for the advice Hillary!  Don’t forget to check out the Your Day of Fairy Tales website and Blog! 

Nashville’s premier event planning boutique specializing in weddings and social events is focused on catering to today’s southern modern brides and their needs. We too were brides not long ago, and know what today’s modern bride looks for, needs, and desires. As a two-woman team, with several assistants, we are committed to creating a wedding day that you can be a guest at – where you enjoy every moment, while we take care of all those little details that make a most perfect day. We bring organization, creativity, passion, and innovation to create the wedding day of your dreams!

Here is what Mary Alice had to add to our list of money saving tips:

Here are some of my favorite fun, save-your-budget suggestions:

In thinking about your décor, consider what you can do to get the biggest bang for your buck! Lighting can drastically change a space. Whether you like the idea of doing uplighting, color wash, gobo’s with your personalized monogram, LED lights, lanterns, etc. this can make a huge statement in your wedding style and surprising be within your budget.

Linens are another beautiful, and textural, location to up the ante’ without racking up a lot of debt. Choose a beautiful fabric in one of the colors in your décor and dress up your table. This will eliminate the need of lots of florals on your tables and you can accent with a beautiful linen napkin in a coordinating color for even more spice!

Paper goods are such a fun way to make a statement for your wedding style. The save the date and invitations, to the menus and seating arrangements, these are the first impressions your guests have and even if you don’t have thousands to spend, there are many resources to create one of a kind imprints of your style within your budget! 

Florals can greatly run up a bill quickly, so think of ways to follow your wedding style without necessarily using them. Using fruits is a big trend right now in centerpieces and is a very inexpensive way to fill vases and limit the number of florals needed. They can be sliced or whole and create a punch in color on your tables, like limes and lemon’s for spring and summer weddings, to pomegranates for fall and winter.

Invest in a wedding planner! So many articles and websites are pushing that wedding planners can get you discounts, discounts, discounts. However, that’s very misleading. We’re here to support you in this process, make budget worthy suggestions, and lead you to the vendors who will be best for your wedding day including incentives or not. Sanity and less stress is worth the investment and value of a planner!

Create a priority list as to what is the most important to the two of you and plan your budget accordingly. Most importantly, create a day that reflects who you and your fiance’ are and all of the rest will fall into place.

Thank you so much Mary Alice!  

Be sure to check out the A Delightful Day Blog for more money saving tips! 

Today I’m pleased to welcome another guest blogger, Meredith Davenport of Forget Me Not Events.  Based out of Lebanon, Meredith has been planning and coordinating weddings in the Greater Nashville area since 2007 and is herself a recent newlywed so she is very familiar with the challenges todays brides face.  Meredith and her staff have shared some great tips with us about utilizing a Candy Favor Bar:

If you like to save money, love candy and enjoy pretty decorations, then this idea is for YOU! A candy bar is a great favor idea that doesn’t have to cost a lot of money and can serve as a fun centerpiece to your reception. Go to your favorite discount shop (Ross’, TJMaxx, Old Time Pottery) and buy several pretty vases. They don’t have to be candy jars; they just need to be big enough at the top that people can get either their hand or a scoop into them. Next, pick out some candy! The candy can be color-coded to match your wedding colors or it can just be a mix of you and your fiancé’s favorite candies. A good idea is to get your candy after a holiday sale. For instance, a May bride could get all her candy at the “after Easter sale” for up to 75% off!

Now, you have the jars and candy, you just need something for the guests to put it in! Remember those brown paper lunch sacks you used to take to grade school? Go to a craft store (Michael’s, Joann’s, Hobby Lobby) and get several packs of the small white sacks. Put on a “Thank You” stamp or sticker (or a monogram) on the front, and you’ve got a sweet little favor for your guests!

Be sure to contact Meredith today about planning your wedding so that she and her staff can share more of their money saving secrets with you!

 The lovely Rebecca

Mmmmmmm….samples

And Rebecca happened to have an example cake made up from a bridal show she did over the weekend – so pretty!!

Thanks again Rebecca it was so nice to meet you!! 

Creative Designs & Events specializes in modern chic weddings. We help brides and grooms make the day they have always dreamed of a dream come true. Creative Designs & Events takes pride in their work and will create and coordinate your wedding to your personal satisfaction. We offer free consultations to help you learn more about Creative Designs & Events services.

Tiffani had the following helpful advice to share on how to save money on your wedding during these challenging economic times:

• Guests will still be happy if you only serve wine, beer, or a signature cocktail at the reception.
• Instead of just guessing the number of guests, make sure to have an exact count. Doing so will prevent over spending on guests who may not attend.
• Make sure to ask your caterer about special rates for the guests’ children to avoid paying adult rates for an entree.
• Have your invitations weighed at the post office to insure the correct postage amount.
• Instead of ordering arrangements for the buffet table at the reception, move your alter arrangements from the church to the buffet tables. 
• In most cases, every guest attending the reception will not eat the wedding cake, so ordering a cake to feed every single guest is not necessary.
• Specialty linens can become pricy, so adding runners or chair ties can add the same amount of extra color, at a smaller fee. 

When saving on weddings, think about the things you’ve got to have, like an exact cake or venue. Choose those things and save on everything else, you will only be unhappy if you don’t.  

Be sure to visit the Creative Designs & Events blog for more of Tiffani’s helpful advice on planning your wedding.  Thank you so much Tiffani!