Get your favors to do double duty!

So I know favors aren't "necessary" but I think they're a nice thing to do for your guests. I've decided to save a little bit by making my favors do double duty.

Our caterer will be providing dishware but we have to provide glassware so after researching rentals, dollar store, etc. I decided to go ahead and rent water/wine glasses but I'm going to purchase personalize champagne flutes for the toast as favors. I found a great site that has them for only $0.94 per glass (personalization included)! You have to pay significant shipping rates because it's glass but for $300 my favors AND my champagne flutes are taken care of!

What do you think?

<3 Sarah

Finding the place!

Things have been going really well on the planning front and *knock on wood* we think we have a venue and a date! We are saving major cash on the venue because we are going with a space that is technically a "state park" even though it is an estate mansion!

I'll post more details and photos soon but I wanted to let you know you can definitely use Google to find some great state parks and inquire for rental costs. If you have your heart set on an indoor venue, scout out some non-profits as they will likely be much more cost effective for you!

Many of these venues will have certain amenities and items that go along with their package (mine provides seating for 70 as well as a tent). This means you may have to rent supplemental items but it will save you money!

<3 The Budget Bride

P.S. Sorry to have been away :-D

Win Thank You Notes!

This is a facebook contest for MagnetStreet invitations to win 200 Thank You cards!

Click here to enter!

<3 The Budget Bride

Don't skip date night!

I know we're supposed to be saving for our wedding so we've been trying to eat at home and entertain ourselves at home as much as possible in order to save. I wanted to make sure we could do something nice around Valentine's day and this deal from TravelZoo will definitely help us out! If you're not in Philly TravelZoo has some great local deals like these all over the country!

$49 - Brick American Eatery: Dinner for 2 w/Bottle of Wine
http://www.travelzoo.com/local-deals/Philadelphia/Restaurant/34308

They also have great deals on travel and entertainment so don't skip date nights entirely, just be smart about what you choose! Sign up to receive email alerts here: http://www.travelzoo.com/

<3 The Budget Bride

Contests for today!

Check out this contest to win $500 towards wedding favors, accessories and goodies! 

Entered to win a wonderful reception or rehearsal dinner from Maggiano's!  

Enter to win $25,000 from Auntie Anne's!

Buying Online and Promo Codes!

Don't buy online without using a promo code! You might get free shipping, 10% off, etc but every cent will help when you're saving for your big day. Seriously, just google your vendor and promo code and see what comes up!

Sign up for a site like Ebates (click here or on the image below) which you can use to get to pretty much ANY online vendor, they send you a check every few months with cash back just for visiting their page before you visit your online vendor! No lie, I did all of my Christmas shopping and got $10 back AND a $10 Target gift card!

It may not seem like a lot of money but why give it up?!

<3 The Budget Bride

Get your invitations for a discount!

Groupon is running a $17 for $70 on Vistaprint so sign up and get this offer now! You can get multiple certificates and place a separate order for invitations, RSVP inserts, and Save The Dates!

<3 The Budget Bride

OMG I'm Getting Married!

So I'm an actress, marrying an actor and we're having a wedding! HOLY COW! I have no idea how we're going to pull this off! My parents are definitely going to help with the cost but I certainly don't want them to break the bank for us to have one day of fun so I've decided to make this blog journey about how to plan what will hopefully be a fantastic wedding on a budget.

Here's my plan so far:

1. Get Engaged (DONE!)

2. Create a special email account for your wedding stuff so that you don't get SLAMMED with emails every day. Also helpful to set up a Google Voice account so you have a phone number you can give out that you also can cancel later without disconnecting yourself from all of your friends and family!

3. Start searching for wedding contests online (more on this to come).

4. Set a date range (keeping it open in case vendors have better pricing at different times of year).

5. Sign up for Groupon, LivingSocial, Eversave, and more - these are great sites that have discount options for printing services, items that can work as favors, hair appointments, don't miss out!

That should be enough to get started so get going!

<3 The Budget Bride