Weddingbee boards

So, like many others, I am saving for the big day! Here are a few ways I have saved a little to a lot:

-We are having a small traditional wedding cake, three tiers, at $3.5 a slice. But, we are also having a large sheet cake in the same type made (hidden in kitchen) to suppliment the cake at $1 a slice.

-Bought FI's beautiful ring on overstock.com (tungsten, small diamond) for $75. Looks great, cost 1/5 of what we saw in jewelry stores (size did run big though, read reviews) and if he loses it we'll get another (no insurance payments!).

-Ordered designer dress from netbride.com, very happy, half the retail price!!

-Bought satin sash on ebay for $25 when dress shop wanted $75-100

-Joined michaels.com and hobbylobby.com (both send coupons, HB 25% off- used for DIY invites) just for joining, and they email coupons and specials regularly. Good idea to have a slushy email address for this stuff (don't want to clog up regular email).

-We have a 15-20K wedding budget, and the chunk (9k) is going towards the reception fee, booze, food. The good news is that beyond the small deposit, the total is not due until 10 business days before so... I am saving away in an online savings account until the very LAST minute to make a few extra $ rather than give it away to the venue. A 6 or 12 six month CD is a good idea also, but rates aren't great right now and we needed to be a little more liquid. But everything helps!

-Also, google for promo codes for EVERYTHING. I got 10% off and free shipping for our place setting vases, candles, FI ring, etc. at overstock.com (the coupon code is expired but new ones are usually available, try retailmenot or other sites). I also got $25 free on my ING Direct savings account I set up, by using this promotion code browser link https://banking.ingdirect.com/savings/initial.vm?type=3000  You can't always find a promotion code, but often can.

-For STD postcards, they were $1+ per on most sites, but I can print the photo we are using for .19 or less (waiting for a walgreens sale for a deeper discount) and bought a 25 pack of printable, adhesive postcards (they attach to the picture) for $4.99 at my local camera/photo shop (grand total: $.39 per STD).

-Ask for discounts, seriously! We are in a recession ladies, and vendors are often as tight as we are! I am getting my wedding photography AND the rehersal dinner and engagement session for 1,000k! Two experienced photographers and all the pics on CD, just by asking and limiting the prints they print, not getting a premade book, fewer touched-up pics (I can photoshop anyway), etc. A friend of mine saved 7% on her flowers by asking for a discount if she paid the full amount up front (warning, only do this with a well established shop).

Please share others as I love a good deal!! Also- Q- I've heard few people send back reply cards and hate to waste all that postage-- do website/email rsvs's work? How about with the older generation? Comments welcome!