Where to save money:

We have seen lots of weddings from the extravagant to the simple.  All of them were very nice but you can save money if you are on a budget.  Here are a few tips:

1. Location
There is absolutly nothing more fantastic than a portrait of a beautiful bride in an elegant (meaning "expensive") location.  But don't think that you must have an expensive location to have an elegant portrait or beautiful background.  A back-yard wedding can be elegant too, and the photographer can make a small lovely corner of your yard look fabulous in your pictures.  Other suggestions include a wedding ceremony and reception at a home or church with photographs at another location.  Here in Ventura, California we have dozens of beautiful beach locations that cost nothing to have your portraits.  Contact:  AD2RP.COM (Pam James).

2.  Proposal and Ring
"After dating for about 7 years, my boyfriend finally proposed and suggested we go shopping for a ring!  Our close friends recommended Costco.  Lo and behold, there was the ring - an emerald-cut diamond solitaire.  And it was in our price range!  I tried it on and it fit perfectly.  It was "the one". 

3. Save the Date
"When we needed to inform our families, friends and guests of our upcoming wedding, I shopped around searching for the best price, options and quality.  A Day 2 Remember Photography (AD2RP.com) makes wonderful save-the-date magnets, cards and/or letters."  After talking with Pam James, the Photographer, we knew it was the way to go.  We were so pleased with the magnets that we chose.  Our friends all asked us where they got them.

4. Invitations
You can make your own invitations to save money but if you would like a bit more of a "high class" look, check out Costco.com.  "Beautiful colors, magnificent designs, great paper quality and several options to choose from!  We could not have been happier!  The graphics were unique to us and the colors were perfection and fit our springtime wedding to a tee.  We even have our invitation framed, and I still look at it and smile when I think of our celebration on our special day."

5. Rehearsal Dinner
"We had dinner at local restaurant and featured Costco's wonderful All-American chocolate layer cake as the centerpiece of the dessert table.  We had it on an antique crystal pedestal and topped with beautiful, fresh strawberries from a local fruit stand.  Everyone loved the cake and thought it had been done by a specialty bakery." 

6. Rehearsal Bouquet
You can buy a bouquet but I especially like your own "custom made" bouquet made from the wrapping paper from a previous wedding shower.  It's fun and a great way to re-use the wrapping paper - and it's free!

7. Wedding Gowns
It used to be that having a seamstress, tailor or dressmaker make a dress was the least expensive way to go.  That is no longer true.  At least in the United States, the cost of material far exceeds the price you will pay for an imported dress.  Pam James is a professional dress-maker.  She may be able to tailor a gown into the one of your dreams.  Contact her at thomj_pamj@yahoo.com.

8. Flowers and decor 
If you want to save money on your flowers we have always recommended CostCo.com.  In over 2000 ceremonies, I have never seen better flowers (quotes Rev. James). You order online for delivery anywhere in the U.S.  There is a wide selection including Wedding Calla Lilies through Roses.  The delivery comes with a DVD and there is even an online tutorial about what to do when the flowers arrive (you will need to have your own "flower detail" set up for when they arrive). Telephone support is also freely given - in fact, they call you to see if they can help by phone. 
     Also, inexpensive ways to dress up tables include candles, balloons, wildflowers in jars, seasonal potted plants -- tulips in spring, mums in fall.  One Fourth-of-July wedding had American flags in flower vases.  Very nice!  
     Save your money on Wedding Favors.  In all of the weddings I've been to I've never seen anyone excited about taking home an silver bell with your names engraved (or anything similar),  In my opinion, wedding favors are one of the many things that can be taken off of your list in order to save money.

9. Drinks
Instead of an open bar with a bartender, you might consider a serve-yourself table with wine, beer and champagne (or stronger spirits should you wish).  If you opt for the stronger stuff or a full bar, consider the store brands or less expensive labels.

10. Food
Some of the receptions we have been to where everyone had the most fun have been "pot luck".  You might want to have someone monitor the more expensive things such as smoked salmon, steak or sashimi if you have them available.  Buffets are cheaper than sit-down meals because you don't pay for table service. 

11. Cake
We suggest that you have the "cake of your dreams" -- only smaller.  Then, order flat cakes that are kept hidden in the kitchen or back room.  Your guests will never know the difference -- but your check-book certainly will!    Here's what somone else said about this idea:  "We ordered nine sheet cakes for the wedding:  three chocolate with mousse filling, three vanilla with cheesecake filling and three carrot cakes.  The chocolate and vanilla cakes were totally gone that evening." 

Do you want a dull and boring minister?  Then don't call me!  I want your wedding to be nice, well organized AND FUN.  I also attempt to speak to you and to all of your guests during your ceremony.  I "read" very little of the actual ceremony.
     The minister may be the last person you think of when you plan your wedding.  But, without the officiant the wedding doesn't happen!  Relying on a friend or relative who has never done a wedding before is taking a big chance on the success of the whole event.  The percentage of the cost of the officiant is very small compared with all your other expenses, why risk the success of all of them with an inexperienced officiant however well intentioned they may be.
      It's important that you find an officiant who will conduct your ceremony according to your expectations so start looking early. 

Microphone and speaker for the minister
     Actually, Rev. James will bring a good public address system for FREE as long as there is an active electrical outlet within 15 feet of where he will stand. 
     During your ceremony you will be much happier with the minister and the ceremony if you arrange for a good sound system (microphone and speakers) so that everyone can hear.  We suggest that almost any ceremony is better with a sound system.  This varies depending on your location -but consider back-ground noise such as the ocean, water-fall noise, water fountain; all of which can easily drown out your voices and the voice of the wedding minister.