How to Save on Wedding Invitations

This is a sponsored post.

Sending out invitations is one of the first steps that you take when planning a wedding. And between save-the-dates, invitations, envelopes, RSVP cards, inserts, and postage, it’s also an expense that adds up fast. If you’ve been pricing out invitations and getting sticker shock, don’t worry – I have three suggestions that can help you trim your invitation budget:

1. Go Virtual

Our Wedding Invites

I love snail mail and sending handwritten cards! But since we are sending out over 300 invitations to our wedding – many of which are being sent internationally – traditional invitations would have been an unnecessarily high expense. Instead, I used Paperless Post to send digital save-the-dates and invitations out for free. They’re really cute and come with a lot of benefits, like a fun matching website, being able to track RSVPs in real time, and countless hours saved, since email invitations are much quicker and easier to send than mailed invitations. And for those on our guest list who don’t have email addresses, I was able to order a set of 10 physical copies of our digital invitation (Shown above) for $32.40, not including postage. Given that average prices for wedding invitations can easily be around $500-1,000+, that’s a big savings!

2. Get Crafty

If you’re the creative type, making your own invitations can be another way to save. This could be as simple as designing your own invitation using a free template and printing it off on nice card stock, or creating a piece of physical artwork and having it photocopied. If your guest list is small enough – and your ambition high enough – you could also consider handcrafting each invitation out of cardboard, or if you want to skip the Post Office entirely, use a unique object like a message in a bottle and hand-deliver it. The cost of this will vary on how many guests you have and the type of materials used; be sure to plan ahead and price out supplies if you decide to go DIY, because crafts can quickly get expensive if you’re not careful.

3. Use Coupons

Groupon Coupons

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of using Groupon Coupons to save on wedding supplies, and invites are no exception! For example, Groupon Coupons has a page of Shutterfly promo codes that currently includes an offer for 5 free wedding invitation samples. If you like what you see, you can save on ordering a full set of invitations from Shutterfly with promo codes for free shipping and 40%. Alternatively, you check out the Groupon Coupons page of Vistaprint coupons and get 25% off invitations or $10 off an order of $50.

Do you have any tips I missed? Share them below in the comments!

Save The Date: August 21st, 2017!

I’m so excited to share a wedding planning update: Jai and I have our date set for August 21st, 2017. We picked this day to coincide with the Total Solar Eclipse that is happening that morning, and will be viewing the eclipse with our guests as part of the wedding ceremony. It’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and I’ll be sharing all the planning details with you right here!

How to Make DIY Decorative Wedding Champagne Flutes

DIY Decorative Wedding Champagne Flutes

Photo Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media Family Networks/Photographer: Jeremy Lee

Getting crafty is a great way to save money on your wedding budget. The Home & Family show on Hallmark Channel is all about the DIY, and today they’re sharing this awesome champagne flute craft with us that will only set you back $35 for 8 glasses:

How to make your own Wedding Champagne Flutes

Photo Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media Family Networks/Photographer: Jeremy Lee

Materials:

• Acrylic Paint
• Satin Ribbon
• Tulle
• Rhinestones
• Hot Glue Gun
• Paint Pens
• Small Paint Brush

Directions:

1. For the women’s glasses, attach the ribbon and tulle to the bottom with a glue gun to create the same look as a dress. You can scrunch up the tulle for extra volume. For the bridesmaids, use pink. For the bride, use white.
2. Add rhinestones and any other embellishments you would like to complete the look.
3. For the men’s glasses, attach a matching bow to their ladies (so in this case, add a white bow to the Groom’s glass, and a pink bow to the Groomsmen’s glasses).
4. Add any embellishments you would like!
5. Voila! Raise a toast to your cute new bridal party champagne flutes!

Home & Family airs weekdays at 10 am ET/PT on Hallmark Channel.

Finding my Bridal Bouquet at Commercial Silk

Mini Cymbidium Orchid Bridal Bouquet
Sample product provided.

Until recently, it hadn’t even occurred to me to consider artificial flowers for my wedding – but then I discovered a company called Commercial Silk. They offer a wide variety of artificial flowers, topiaries and trees for homes, offices and outdoor displays. Their subsidiary company, Silk Plants Direct, offers smaller items like centerpieces, bouquets and corsages, and I became a fan last year when I chose one of their beautiful bouquets for my bridesmaids. Now that I realized what a great option silk flowers can be, I decided to pick out my own bridal bouquet from their selection.

Mini Cymbidium Orchid Bridal Bouquet in White Green

After looking through the bouquets and thinking about what I want my dress to look like, I decided on these Mini Cymbidium Orchid Bridal Bouquets in White Green from Silk Plants Direct. This is a pack of two bouquets that measure about 6.5″ tall. It is a more substantial bouquet than I expected, with some weight. It is small enough to just fit in my hands, giving a cute and traditional look. The flowers themselves are quite pretty – I wanted something that had a very classic look to it, and I think I succeeded here. I didn’t realize just how elegant artificial flowers could be until I was introduced to this company, and I’m so glad to have found them! I love the fact that these flowers will remain as mementos after the ceremony has ended, instead of just getting thrown away – whichever lady wins the bouquet toss will have a trophy long after the wedding has ended. I’m happy with my choice and can’t wait to walk down the aisle with my bouquet in hand!

5 Top Picks From The Best Buy Wedding Registry

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

I recently introduced you to the Best Buy Wedding Registry, where you have a plethora of options for outfitting your home. Many people think of Best Buy as being primarily for computer parts, so you may be unaware of the variety of products available! Whether you’re creating your own wedding registry, or shopping for a wedding present to give to a recently engaged couple in your life, I’ve put together my top five picks of great, wedding-worthy items available at Best Buy:

  • #1: The iRobot Roomba 870 Vacuum Cleaning Robot
  • iRobot Roomba 870 Vacuum Cleaning Robot

    When I was a kid, a robot maid was a fantasy seen on The Jetsons. But today, it’s a reality! Isn’t living in the future great? The Roomba cleans your house for you, on autopilot – just turn it on and watch as it vacuums all the floors! This one is a no-brainer for any couple setting up house.

  • #2: Insignia™ HDTV
  • Insignia™ HDTV

    A TV is the focal point of most living rooms, providing hours of enjoyment both for a quiet night at home, and for entertaining company. The Insignia™ HDTV is a very nice, high-quality television compatible with various gaming systems, DVD and Blu-ray players, all at an affordable price.

  • #3: KitchenAid Professional 600 Series Stand Mixer
  • KitchenAid - Professional 600 Series Stand Mixer

    I bet you didn’t realize that Best Buy carried one of the most classic wedding registry items: a KitchenAid! These stand mixers are a tradition for a reason, making it possible to create all kinds of amazing things in the kitchen. I’d go with this model, simply because it comes in pink!

  • #4: Sony – HD Flash Memory Camcorder
  • Sony - HD Flash Memory Camcorder

    Remember when our parents would pull out piles of VHS tapes containing home movies? Today, those memories are all stored in the cloud, with compact, digital camcorders replacing the large and clunky tapes of old. The Sony HD Flash Memory Camcorder is perfect for new married couples as they begin to document their lives together!

  • #5: Lounge & Co. Gaming Chair
  • Lounge & Co. - Gaming Chair

    Every new home needs furniture, and for millennial couples, this gaming chair from Lounge & Co. is the perfect pick! This comfy chair includes a side pocket for things like gaming controllers, and includes a handle for you to carry the chair around easily – perfect for LAN parties, and also makes it easier when you need to move house!

Many of these items are larger purchases, which is why Best Buy offers Group Gifting, which allows guests to pitch in any amount towards a big-ticket item on a couple’s registry. And regardless of the item’s price, all items on the Best Buy Wedding Registry ship for free, with no minimum purchase amount.

What items would you put on your top 5 wedding registry list?

Saving Money on Wedding Supplies With Groupon Coupons

Groupon Coupons

This is a partnered post.

With the average cost of an American wedding hovering around $26,000, saving money is a big concern for engaged couples! Being the frugal coupon maven that I am, it should come as no surprise that I’m always keeping my eyes peeled for wedding deals. I recently learned about Groupon Coupons, the newest addition to the Groupon family which offers a large database of promo codes and deals at online retailers – no purchase or login required. They have sales listed by both store and category, with a whole section just for wedding coupons!

There is a slew of wedding shops listed in their database – here’s a few examples of bridal deals you can snag:

Promo Codes

Sale Databse

Getting married doesn’t have to break the bank! Checking for promo codes is super fast, super easy and can save you some cash when you’re ordering wedding supplies online. Then you can put the money you save towards your honeymoon! Pssst…Groupon Coupons has a category for travel coupons, too! 😉

How have you been saving money on your wedding?

Gift Inspiration For Active Couples

Gift Inspiration For Active Couples

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Part of the fun in wedding planning is daydreaming. Since I was a child, I’ve thought about the different details that would go into my future wedding – it’s funny how many ideas you can have for a wedding ceremony before you even meet the groom. 😉 And the fun in thinking ahead doesn’t just stop at the wedding ceremony, of course. The most exciting part is dreaming about your plans for the future and life together. And when you’re putting together your wedding registry, you’re doing just that: Looking ahead to what life will be like, from hosting parties together to starting a garden in your new home.

But the world has changed a lot, and wedding registries aren’t the same as your grandmother’s. Now, tech gadgets sit side by side with more traditional items like casserole dishes! For today’s modern couples, a Best Buy Wedding Registry can be the perfect place to start your shopping. As you daydream about the adventures you’ll go on with your new husband, you can really get creative, creating a registry for everything from travel to game night with your spouse. With that in mind, I’ve created a fun inspiration board with gift ideas that would be perfect for the active couple on your list who love to hike, exercise and play sports together:



I firmly believe that working on goals together makes your dreams easier to achieve – it’s a lot easier to run that extra mile when your partner is cheering you on! Plus, it’s way more fun to go jogging together than doing it alone. For the couple that love to support each other in their fitness goals, his and hers water bottles, fitness trackers, and sports-friendly headphones are perfect gifts they can use every day. And since Best Buy offers Group Gifting, guests have the option of pitching in whatever they want towards a gift if the couple wants to register for one or two larger items (Like that elliptical!) instead of a variety of smaller items.

What gift would you buy for an active couple? What should I add to my Pinterest board? Weigh in (No pun intended) in the comments!

Beautiful Blooms Spotted at The Toast Wedding Showcase

Pink & white flowers

Admission provided.

Among the inspiration spotted at The Toast Wedding Showcase in Portland were a slew of stunning arrangements by local florists. The combination of gorgeous flowers paired with creative presentation made the looks memorable and clever.

Closeup of pink and white flowers

Cute vases

Arrangement in a small vase

Flowers hanging over the table

Beautiful pink flowers hung from the ceiling

Roses hanging from a coil spring mattress

A Well Crafted Party

Inspiration Via:

A Well Crafted Party
Selva Floral Design
Intimo: An Intimate Occasion Florist
Christopher David
Swoon Floral Design
Anna Mara Flowers

Inspiration From The Toast Wedding Showcase: Tablescapes & Food

Light tablescape

Admission provided.

Bridal expos are a great place to get inspiration for your big day. I recently had the pleasure of attending The Toast Wedding Showcase in Portland, which took the wedding expo concept and turned it into an intimate event, featuring the best of PDX bridal vendors and highlighting artistic, stylish ideas. This week, I’ll be sharing some of the concepts I saw on display, starting with these gorgeous wedding dinner concepts.

H'ordeuvres

Drinks

Salad

Pretty vases

Floral centerpiece mixed with vegetables and fruit

Deviled eggs

YUM

Cheese & fruit

White flowers

Featured Vendors:

Commonwealth
Vanity Affair Event Planning & Design
Swoon Floral Design
Black Sweet Raspberry
Sweetheart
Thrive
Dalton’s Northwest Catering
Anna Mara Flowers
White Pepper
Dream State Unique Wedding & Party Gifts
Christopher David
The Lamb’s Table
Intimo: An Intimate Occasion Florist
Something Borrowed
Selva Floral Design
Westcoast Event Productions, Inc.

Event Host:

Elli

More Inspiration:

A Well Crafted Party