Sometimes, Less is More...

I often have brides contact me who have an abundant budget for their wedding day... money is no object!  But just because you can afford it, does that mean you have to spend it? Sometimes you can go less and no one will be the wiser for it but you...

Here are some tips that will save you lots and lots of $$$...

• You’ve always turned to J.Crew for everyday classics, so it’s no surprise that their gorgeous wedding collection offers the same easygoing sophistication. Take the Isla embossed beach gown, for example. Designed in pure cotton, this beautiful gown drapes elegantly, is lightweight and flatters practically any figure. This is a perfect (not to mention affordable) gown for a ceremony in the sand and on sale for $99.
  
• For your beach wedding, create an inexpensive centerpiece that will bring an inviting glow to the table. Blumen Design arranges tea lights or votives in large glass cubes and then layers pale-colored sea glass, shells and sand between the candles. The textures of the sand and the sea glass beautifully complement the warmth and light of the candles. Check their website out for inspiration.
• Mountain Cow has hundreds of ingenious ideas for inexpensive save-the-dates and invitations. You can purchase software, fonts and paper to customize your own stationery affordably. There are many different styles that are perfect for a beach-themed event — my favorite is the green-and-blue sand dollar.
•  Checkerboard has a large variety of "beach" theme invitations at reasonable prices. The invitations are handsome yet relaxed. Details like a ribbon sweeping across the paper and tucking neatly between the layers give it a "luxe" detail at an affordable price. They offer many blue-and-chocolate palettes which is a nice change from the usual pastel-colored beach theme and on a personal note my favorite.
• You can always find the cutest things from Sundance, and for an inexpensive beach-themed accessory, look no further than their Website. They have a good-luck sea horse necklace, handcrafted in sterling silver and then dipped in gold, it is simply adorable. Legend has it that good luck will abound when the silk thread from which the talisman hangs finally wears away. This necklace adds subtle beach charm to your big day, and is perfect as a gift your lucky bridesmaids will love to wear.
  
• Check out Bliss Weddings Market for tons of great wedding favors, wrappings and gifts like these little pretties. Palm-size starfish soaps are lightly scented and finely textured. Your guests will even love the packaging — a crisp white box with sheer organza ribbon and a starfish gift tag. It's almost too perfect to open.
  
• When you think of a beach-inspired cake, seashells and fancy pearl detail surely come to mind. The ladies at Frosted Art created this cake with just those features. This three-tiered masterpiece is adorned with white-chocolate.
  
• This Cotton Cady Claudine tank dress is a crisp cotton with a fitted bodice and and full skirt. It would compliment just about any body type or shape comes in gorgeous bright yellow, green or chocolate brown. The full A-line skirt drapes beautifully to the knee. The dress is available only through J.Crew.com
• Keep friends and family hydrated and happy with bottles of water that are customized with labels from MyWeddingLables.com. Personalize a message or include a photo, and then choose from dozens of patterns, fonts and colors to create sentimental and practical refreshments your guests will love.
  
• When it gets a little cool out, we know you don't mind borrowing a cute guy’s tuxedo jacket, but with her Chilly Jilly wrap, designer Jill Boehler may have made that tradition a thing of the past. For any beach wedding, you’ll want this must-have cover-up once an offshore breeze joins the party. Made from a silky fabric, it offers the perfect amount of warmth, folds down to purse size and yet somehow never wrinkles. Check out her site you can buy one for yourself and give it as a gift to your bridesmaids.
  

Now don't you feel great that you saved so much money! And furthermore now you can afford a wedding planner :)

Good saving advise from

Your wedding planner,

Lisa