Five Favorite Wedding Day Bargains

1. Flowers from Costco or Sam’s Club – Flowers can be one of the most expensive elements of a wedding, but they don’t have to be. Costco and Sam’s Club offer absolutely beautiful flowers in wedding packages, or as separate blooms/stems. The flowers are delivered to your door a day or two before the event. This gives you time to unpackage them, get them into water and allow the blooms to open.

Photo: Hydrangeas from Sam’s Club 60 Stems for around $150 (arranged by bridal party)

Not only is this a more affordable option, but the flowers are incredibly high-quality and both Costco and Sam’s Club stand behind you, making sure that in the rare occurrance of an issue, it is solved by the time of the event.

2. Don’t search for “Wedding” anything — For instance, look for a photographer, not a wedding photographer. Google wedding cake vs gourmet cake and you’ll see the difference. The psychology of the wedding industry is unfortunate. Brides-to-be tend to think they need things they don’t. Often, by attaching the word “wedding” to your inquiries or searches, you may be automatically shopping in a higher price range. Lose the word “wedding” while researching, and watch the prices drop. You may end up with some specialty wedding products or services when all is said and done, but at least you’ve seen more options!

Photo: Cheesecake Factory’s “Linda’s Chocolate Cake”, Godiva Chocolate Cheesecakes and Favorite Family Recipe Cookies

3. Cake Alternatives and Unusual Dessert Ideas — Wedding Cakes can be a big-ticket part of your wedding. Remember Tip 2, above, and look for specialy bakeries to see what options might work besides traditional wedding cakes. Cheesecake Factory offers an excellent variety of cakes and cheesecakes at affordable prices that can be ordered ahead, picked up a day ahead frozen and thawed the morning of your event. Some fun alternatives to cakes include bite-size baked treats and dessert tables with combinations of treats representing your family traditions or heritage.

4. Music — Hook up your mp3 player to a transmitter and place inexpensive, yet effective speakers throughout your event space. Not only do you have total control over what music gets played, but the nominal investment in the equipment ($2-300) will pay off. You now have a transportable sound system for home use or other events!

5. Local Universities – Photography and and art students, Culinary students and others studying to be in professions tangential to weddings may offer to work for bare-bones costs, equipment for trade or simply to have the experience or portfolio content. Check with your local schools!

Whatever you do, take your time when selecting the details of your wedding. Don’t make decisions when researching. Complete all of your information gathering and only then should you look at all the options and make your selections. Don’t let sales people talk you into choosing things you ultimately don’t want, or spending money you don’t have. Weddings are incredibly personal and yours should be exactly as you wish without putting you into debt.

Congratulations! Its a beautiful time of your life. Enjoy planning your special day.