Penny Pinching tips for a great wedding

When I married my husband we were in the midst of raising 4 kids from previous marriages. Three were mine, one his. We wanted so many things that we just didn't have the budget for if we wanted to keep the kids in private schools and well fed. I couldn't believe how expensive everything was. Dresses, tuxes, flowers, invitations... the list goes on and on. It isn't like you can forgo things like these.

Since it was our second marriage each, we wanted to have a smaller simple wedding. Afterall, it wasn't important to rent a limo or invite 300 people right? What was important was to teach our kids how to accomplish a modest yet beautiful and reverent ceremony on a budget.

Let's start with dresses. Have you seen what bridal gowns cost? Or bridesmaid dresses? I found that going to a bridal shop was an absolutely horrid experience. First of all, I was ignored because of my age and the fact that I had a mini-me in tow who was obviously not old enough to be the bride. Yes, they do ignore older brides who are more than likely paying for the dress themselves rather than have daddy's overstuffed wallet in tow. I basically used bridal stores for ideas of what would look good on me. Armed with an idea, I hit ebay and found a beautiful selection of dresses in every size. I looked at the prices and thought, "What is wrong with these dresses?" Seriously! The prices were so low I was convinced that they had to be seconds or used dresses. After finding a dress I thought would be perfect in price and style, I went to the manufacturers website for sizing. UGH! I hate how they are a size or two off from what you buy in the stores! But, I figured I better swallow my pride and buy it in the size that fit me best. My dress was $45.99 and $20 shipping. They threw in a crinoline for free but I didn't end up wearing it because it didn't fit.

When my dress arrived I tried it on. To my utter amazement it fit almost perfect! I did have to have the length altered in the front only, just an inch too long. I called a woman who does alterations, fearing that the alterations were going to cost more than the dress. She took a look at it, determined that an inch off the front was indeed all it needed, and she promised it would be done in a week. A few days later she called and it was done! How much you ask? Can you believe $10! Seriously! Total cost of a designer dress: $75.99.

My daughter and step daughter were bridesmaids. We had a slight problem with that idea. My daughter is the exact opposite body type as my step daughter. I had to find dresses that complimented both girls AND that they would wear again because I hate wasting money on a dress like that. We compromised... I found a skirt and top combo that looked like a dress, and looked good on both girls. The only problem with it was that it had spaghetti straps and they were too long. To fix that, I bought two coordinating ribbons and fashioned straps for the dresses the right length and width. I caught the outfits on sale at Kohls 40% off sale. Two skirts, two tops and two types of ribbon came out to about $75.00. Shoes were end of season clearance and literally so cheap I bought 3 pairs in different sizes to ensure fit on the big day.

Now tuxes we couldn't do much about except shop around for good prices and styles me liked. For three tuxes I think we paid about $130 or so. Truly, finding the right style was more the issue than anything else.

My next areas of savings... the invitations! I didn't like any of the pre-fabricated wording anyway. It just happened that Wal-mart was carrying Wilton invitation kits anyway. Regularly priced about $15 a box, marked down to $5. I bought the number of boxes I needed and set forth to figure out how I was going to do it. Easy as pie! You go to Wilton's website and they guide you through it. They even have several choices for wording but you can still do a custom worded invitation. I spent under $50 altogether including an extra black ink cartridge for my printer.

Flowers are about the most over priced wedding necessity. But, if you are like me, I hate silk flowers and I love fresh flowers. I ordered my flowers in bulk from Sam's Club at under $15 for two dozen roses. I bought ferns, spray roses, roses, gladioli, and lilies. The flowers were $105 and the floral tape, bouquet holders, lace ribbon, floral foam were about $30 at a art shop. I made the bridal bouquet, the bridesmaid bouquets, the boutineers, the mothers corsages, the floral arrangements at the church, and the bouquet for the Blessed Mother. My pastor was totally amazed! He said I had some of the most beautiful flowers he had seen. On the altar there were two arrangements of roses. I also had 2 large vases of gladioli on either side of the lectern. To pretty them up I bought some sheer fabric and wrapped it around the vases and tied it with the same ribbon I used in the bouquets. Now, adding that all up.... I spent under $150 on flowers. I priced a small bridal bouquet at $180 alone. My bouquet had 13 roses, lilies, baby's breath, ferns, spray roses and assorted other flowers. It was much bigger and grander than the small one I priced out.

Next was the reception... but it was more a matter of personal choice than money saving. I went for the unusual but not hosted at my home or anywhere that I had to do all the work! We had our reception at a local tourist attraction, a reindeer ranch! They had the facilities, they provided the food and clean-up. I made a deal with them for lower pricing. I bought all the alcohol and they kept what was left over. Really it worked out great. I didn't want alcohol at the house while we were on our honeymoon with the kids at the house ranging from 18 down to 9 years old. We also made it clear that our guests were to wear jeans and comfortable clothing. I hate when kids have to stay all pretty and dressed up and uncomfortable all day! The kids went through the corn maze, rode go carts, played in the teepee, and while the adults toured the reindeer and the grounds, they stayed inside mostly. This left the kids free to roam and me to not have to keep an ever watchful eye on the alcohol.

I hope you enjoyed some of these ideas. Don't worry if you don't know how to arrange flowers... check the internet, there are plenty of sites to teach you!

I finally joined the ranks... I am a blogger now!

Anyone reading this will have to excuse me, I am a newbie to the world of blogging. Ever realize that you were born in the wrong era or the wrong country or even the wrong that's me.... sort of anyway. I was actually born into the right social class, but through a series of choices and decisions, I now refer to myself as having champagne taste on a kool-aid budget. That's right, not even a budweiser budget. I can't complain too much though, because I have raised some pretty awesome kids. Well actually, I guess I could complain but really... is there anyone out there that would listen?

So I decided to dedicate this blog to many topics instead of just one. Here are some of the thoughts I have for topics: unique penny pinching ideas, raising giving kids in a selfish world, my thoughts on my faith, techie tips, and avoiding some of the life errors I have made. Sounds all over the place right? Well, I guess that doesn't surprise me... that IS me. I have referred to myself as the jack of all trades and master of none for at least 20 years now.

So, if you have made it this far you have probably figured out I was born into an upper middle class family. You have probably figured out that I am not upper middle class now, and I sure haven't climbed the social ladder (because after all, who would complain or even mention that?). So who am I? Good question! Hmmm.... where to start?

I am the third child of 5, raised in suburbia USA. I am a mom to three of my own and a step daughter. I am a very happily married woman (now), and I am most importantly, a very grateful believer in God. There are other things that I am too.... like a computer geek, a military veteran (Air Force), a military mom (Marine son), a book junkie, and much much more. I guess there is an even bigger list of what I have been in the past too, but I think I will save it for later.

I think I will start with penny pinching ideas you may not have thought of....