Invitations and Favors

When I first started researching weddings and costs for the little details that go into them I was astounded when I saw how much people spend on invitation printing! $350+ on something that people will probably just throw away in a few weeks? No thank you, not this girl.

Thankfully, along with being overly crafty, I know my way around a computer. So, when the "print in yourself" invites that I'd been eyeing at Walmart I got them. I also got "print it yourself" favor kits and some sticker seals. Why anyone would spend hundreds of dollars on something they can do themselfs for less money (and probably a whole lot less stress) is beyond me.

The invitation kits come with 40 invitations and envelopes, 40 reply cards and envelopes, and three test sheets. The favor kits come with 50 bags, ribbons, tags and 2 test sheets. All you have to do is go on the company website (both kits are by Wilton), download the templates and get printing!

Although I will probably replace the white ribbons that came with the favor kits for green and purple and I havent quite figured out what I am going to put it them, Im sure Ill be spending a whole lot less than someone who goes and buys this stuff already done.

Dress

As previously stated, I'm the type of person who would sooner spend months making something then shelling out a ton of money for it. My wedding dress was not an exception to this rule. My whole plan, due to the fact that I am EXTREMELY picky when it comes to clothes and the fact that I was convinced I wouldn't find a dress I liked for under $500, was to make my dress.

That is, until I got an email from a very good friend telling me about Light In The Box. Now, why she was on this website I don't have a clue (shes been married for a while now) but the message simply said "In case you decide not to make your dress." Ever the sceptic, I was sure I wouldn't find anything but looked anyway. What I found was the most gorgeous wedding dress-THE dress. I cheated a little and showed Richard (because I have to know what he thinks on everything now) and he LOVED it! So much in fact, he told me to buy it before they stopped making it- keep in mind this was a few months ago so we weren't even engaged yet. Price tag for my dress? $82 (plus about $40 insured shipping from China). The dress is beautiful! It fits like a glove and I cant wait to wear it.

Now keep in mind that this is a whole sale web that sells lots and single units, so they don't have the best selection and I believe they hand make and/or alter all the items so it takes a while for shipping (took about a month to get mine) - but if someone as picky as me can find something they love, I'm sure others can too :-)

Mission: Have my dream wedding withough going into debt

First, an introduction: I'm Jayme. Richard, my boyfriend of just over 2 years, proposed to me 3 days ago on my 21rst birthday- something Ive been hoping and wishing for, for a while now. We had discussed marriage before so it was never really a questions of "If" but "When". Needless to say I'm thrilled! As are our families, friends and co-workers.

Like any girl, Ive imagined my dream wedding numerous times. Where it would be, what i would wear, etc. and the one thing I've come to realize is that I do not by any means want to go broke or crazy planning and having it.

I grew up in a dual (both of my parents were active duty) military family. Neither of my parents came from families were what you would call "well-off". Its not that they were poor, but they definatly weren't going to Disney Land every summer. So needless to say I'm a bit frugal. I was brought up with ideas like"why buy it when you can make it" and "why buy it new when you can get a good used one".

With that being said, I've done a little research. According to The Knot the average cost of a wedding in the US is $23,657 not including engagement rings and the honeymoon. I also found the table below that breaks down where all that money goes. So here is my goal: Spend less than one tenth of that.

So, over the next year and a half (we are planning for late summer/early fall of 2010) I will be comparing what I've spent on my wedding against the typical American wedding. I will also post pictures, ideas and tips I find along the way.