| ing a wedding can get so expensive! For many | | | | your wedding, as long as they are not extremely |
| couples, spending the “typical” | | | | fragile or valuable. |
| $20,000 - $30,000 for one day is simply | | | | Bartering is another excellent way to get rock |
| impossible (and perhaps just too hard to stomach, | | | | bottom prices on wedding essentials. Do you have |
| even if they can afford it). The great news is | | | | some sort of item or skill that you can offer in |
| that there are many creative ways to spend far | | | | trade? Perhaps you know an up-and-coming |
| less on your wedding, while still having a beautiful | | | | stationer who specializes in letterpress. Maybe she |
| event. This is how to find cheap (but nice!) stuff | | | | needs a new website to promote her business. If |
| for your wedding. | | | | you are a web designer, offer to trade your |
| Free is even better than cheap, and if you are | | | | services for free custom wedding stationery. A |
| really persistent, you may just find that you can | | | | few tips on bartering services: smaller companies |
| get some really fantastic things for your wedding | | | | will typically be more open to bartering than |
| at no charge. Seriously! Look for a local | | | | established ones. Also, be sure that what you are |
| “freecyle” group and see if | | | | offering in trade is worth as much as what you |
| anyone has old vases or silk flowers they are no | | | | hope to get in return. Finally, if you are trading |
| longer using. Keep your eyes peeled for furniture | | | | professional services, you are supposed to list the |
| being discarded curbside; you might just find a | | | | value of what you received as business income |
| cute old side table or dresser that you can | | | | for tax purposes. |
| re-purpose into an escort card or gift table for | | | | Many brides have found all sorts of incredible |
| your wedding. Paint it a pretty color or re-finish it | | | | deals on the Internet. Looking for pearls for your |
| for a one-of-a-kind shabby chic wedding | | | | bridesmaid gifts? Check out online retailers, who |
| accessory. Using real furniture in unique ways is a | | | | may offer the very jewelry you want for |
| hot wedding trend right now, so this would be a | | | | bridesmaid gifts at a huge discount over traditional |
| terrific addition to your reception. | | | | jewelers. Take a look at sites like Craig's List or |
| When you are looking for free things to use at | | | | the chat boards on wedding websites to look for |
| your wedding, consider borrowing from a relative. | | | | super deals on decorations and attire for your |
| Maybe your grandmother has a beautiful cake | | | | wedding. A lot of brides will try to sell their |
| knife and server that you can borrow for your | | | | wedding decorations like vases, silk flowers, and |
| cake cutting service. Perhaps your sister has a | | | | so forth on a wedding message board after they |
| shawl you can borrow to keep the chill at bay for | | | | are done with them. Having only be used for one |
| an autumn wedding. Be creative! Let's say you | | | | day, most of the second-hand decorations are |
| were planning a rustic outdoor wedding in the fall. | | | | likely to be in excellent condition. |
| Instead of renting chairs, use bales of hay for | | | | When it comes right down to it, there are all |
| seating and borrow an assortment of blankets to | | | | sorts of creative ways to get what you need for |
| cover the hay from family members. If you | | | | your wedding on the cheap. All that is required is |
| would like to welcome your guests with a hot | | | | a willingness to search and an open mind about |
| cider station, perhaps you know someone who | | | | how intriguing items can be used. The extra |
| has a huge coffee carafe that you could borrow | | | | effort will surely be worth it when you have a |
| instead of buying or renting one. Many people | | | | lovely wedding at a fraction of the usual cost! |
| would be more than happy to lend you items for | | | | |