Weddingbee boards

So, I just wanted to let every budget-bride-to-be out there know what a year of wedding planning did to me.. and all of the lovely ways I saved money thus far.

First off, I was sad for about.. a second when I thought about not having everything coordinate perfectly and my inability to be detail-oriented. Then I got over it. SOOOOOOOOOO. Here's what we're doing.

After searching what seemed like every venue in the tri-state area, we FINALLY found an amazing resturant-by-day-night-club-by-night venue right downtown (Nyack, NY) that is doing a buffet for 30dollars a person- and that's in NEW YORK! we get the entire venue to ourselves but we have to be out by 9 so they can set up for the night (when the club is open).. we are also gona have an after-party there for all of the younger people (since i'm only 20) and friends that couldn't be invited (we're keeping our guest list to 75.. and its only that big because my mother INSISTED on inviting aunts and uncles- otherwise it would've been around 35-40). we're contemplating either having one of my Fiance's friend's band do the reception or just hooking up our i-pod to the soundsystem with an extra long playlist.. both very cost efficient. we're not doing centerpieces at all because its ususally a huge chunk of any bride's budget and we don't have time/space for DIY projects. (idk if i would recomend this to brides whos venue needs... sprucing.)we got invitations from Michael's for $30 and are doing them ourselves. (haven't tackled that one, yet) i got my dress on e-bay for $100 and i plan on splurging a little (because i deserve to thanks to my amazing skills) and buying a HOT pink crinoline, croping the length and buying a custom-made vintage shrug fron Etsy (probably one of my most favorite sites ever. the one thing i do have to say about wedding dress shopping on e-bay is the luck factor. i'm a size 2 (street size zero) and i just typed in "wedding gown size 2" deffinately expecting ZERO results- but the cards were in my favor that day. i must say, i did compromise on the style, its NOT my dream dress... but WHO CARES?! now i can MAKE my dream dress with the money i saved! i already recomended these sites on my other (overly stressed out) post but they're so amazing i'll do it again.. not willing to compromise on dress style but still want to have money left over? peri-mart.com and buyer100.com make KNOCK OFF designer dresses for between $100-$300 and they are a-m-a-z-i-n-g.

hmm what else? oh, this is another luck factor but maybe someone can incorporate it into their day, as well.. we are walking to the reception from the ceremony since it is only three blocks away which eliminates the limo expense. i am planning on either a) buying an all baby's breath boquet for $22 from a local florist OR b) going to stop-and-shop on the day-of and buying a pretty bunch of blowers and tying it with ribbon (this is only for the brides willing to take huge risks :-P). i got my shoes for $20 at charlotte russe. NOT HAVING A BRIDAL PARTY (bridesmaids, groomsmen, etc) CUTS YOUR COSTS SUBSTANTIALLY- just think about it.. no flowers for the girls, no gifts, no baskets, or hair and make-up appointments, etc.) we are having a MOH and Best Man jsut more for  day-of support (and the fact that i have an older sis and he has an older brother). my friend takes beautiful pictures so i asked her to be our photographer and she agreed!! (thats a gamble but i'm not worried).

i think thats is for now.. i hope this helped someone. :-D!