Flowers

Flowers can be a very large expense when it comes to weddings, but they don't really have to be...

For my wedding, we chose to use artificial flowers since being out in the sun and heat of the beach may cause real ones to wilt too quickly. At my local craft store, I found small bundles of flowers and wrapped them with ribbon. Each of my bridesmaid bouquets cost only $10 each after all was said and done. And they look incredible!! No one will ever know how much money I saved on them!!

For my bouquet, I used artificial ones as well. Although, the flowers I used were a little more pricy. I found some at a craft show that looked and felt just like real daisies. I spent about $35 on flowers and just bought some inexpensive ribbon to wrap around the stems.

We won't be having flowers for centerpieces, so that is saving a ton of money too. Get creative with your centerpieces and see what you come up. I will post about mine next time.

Don't Be Afraid to Mix it Up a Little

Who says everything has to be matchy matchy? It's more fun to make things "go together" than it is for it all to be exactly the same thing!

If you are being a bargain bride, remember "beggers can't be choosers." Now that's not to say you can't choose everything you want - after all, you are the bride - what you say goes! But just keep an open mind about it.

For example, our groomsmen are wearing the same ties, shirts, and shorts... but unfortunately, I couldn't get everyone the same flip flops on sale.

So to improvise, I switched it up. Half of the guys are wearing flip flops and the other half are wearing boat shoes. They all have the same madras plaid accents, but are different styles - just like the bridesmaids' dresses are all the same, but different!

Set your expectations ahead of time

It is so much easier said than done, but really? How could you not? If you set an expectation and an idea of what you really want, then you can start bargain hunting...and the bargains will just appear!

You won't know it until it happens, but you will be out one day and see something that makes you say, "wouldn't this be good as ____ ."

for example, when i was at the outlets with my MOH, we were in a store and I found a cute headband. I jokingly put it on and said, "What do you think of this?" Her response was "I think that'd be perfect for your hair at the wedding!!"

Of course, she was right and I had to purchase it. The best part, it was only $13!!

Wedding hair piece - done!