[drburch]

Just want to offer some words of encouragement and ideas for everyone doing a wedding on a budget. My daughter is getting married next July and we are working at keeping the cost reasonable while still having a lovely wedding and reception for 125 people. It probably helps that both of us are dedicated bargain hunters.

We checked many wedding locations here in Portland, Oregon. So many of the dedicated wedding venues charge several thousand dollars just for the space (food is additional), and only gave a 4-5 hour time slot. We chose a local hotel/restaurant chain that has a number of lovely indoor and outdoor location choices. They do not charge for the use of their space, as long as we meet their food and beverage minimum. For $3000 in food and beverages, we get the use of the space (both an indoor and outdoor space is included) for the whole day and evening, and they provide all chairs, tables, linens, service, etc. This chain is known for their fabulous food, and we are planning an evening wedding followed by a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception. (For the same money we could have also chosen a buffet dinner)

We bought her dress at a local discount bridal shop and she found a beautiful and reasonably priced dress that we both love. We're both seamstresses and could have made the dress to save some money, but decided our time would be better spent on other things.

We will do invitations on our color laser printer. Both office supply and craft stores have lovely printable wedding invitation kits (with invitations, envelopes, reply cards and envelopes) for around $30 for a set of 50. My daughter found hers at a craft store clearance for $11 for each set of 50. She also got an aisle runner for $15, wedding bubbles for $3 for 24 and a flower girl basket for $10 at the same clearance sale. Since we have lots of time, we will keep looking for bargains.

My husband is a website designer, and just finished doing a site for a florist. They want some additional work, so we will be able to trade for the wedding flowers. We are also planning to get hanging flower baskets, and large decorative bouquets ($5-10 each) at a farmer's market that the groom's mother found. The woman at the farmer's market will work with us ahead of time to select the flowers we want. We will decorate the guest tables with glass bowls with rose petals and floating candles. I found floating white rose candles for $.30 each at a discount store, and glass bowls for $3 each at an online craft site.

Since her colors are red and white, we will shop the after Christmas and Valentine's sales for other decorations like candles, ribbon, bows, twinkle lights, etc.

We plan to get a small tiered cake, and matching sheet cake(s). Sheet cake is less expensive and much easier to cut and serve.

I think the keys to saving money are planning ahead, shopping around, watching for bargains, checking with friends, family and business contacts for help and possible trades, and keeping an open mind to take advantage of creative ideas and opportunities.

[Wedding Queen and MOG]

Oh yeah...bartering is AWESOME!