Cutting Costs!

I purchased my dress from Brilliant Bridal- at one of their shops in north Phoenix. The dresses range from 15-70% off the sticker price. What I loved is once you purchase your dress, you leave with it! My dress’ original price was $1700 & I ended up paying $810!

Some things I did: cut down guests to 3 people, no venue and will be marrying ouside; no wedding gown, wearing a regular dress; no favors; no flowers from a floral shop, using flowers from grocery store for ONE bouquet.

Overall, when I calculate my costs, I'll probably be spending less than $700 on the entire ceremony.

View Quoted Comment Wow!! What a steal!

View Quoted Comment Wow, that’s really cutting it down. Meanwhile I’m over the budget almost at 30k 😩😩😩

View Quoted Comment Oh my gosh thats more than the college loan Debt I graduated with.

View Quoted Comment Our parents are paying majority so we decided to go big!

I got my dress originally 3,500 for 1200 it was a sample sale I got my venue for 5,000 instead of 8,000

View Quoted Comment Sweet deal! I’m sure the dress is beautiful! I saved the same 3k on the venue by paying in full, and I’ve been asking for “discounts” and vendors have been giving them.

View Quoted Comment I decided to book in 2020 and having an off month wedding we’re getting married in late April that’s how we were able to save

I purchased my veil from jjshouse, got my shoes from a regular shoe store, paid $20 to add a bustle to my dress (which looked amazing!), no party favors, and most decor was diy, borrowed, or bought from hobby lobby.

View Quoted Comment Sweet! April is a beautiful month. We are having a Monday wedding, July 5th, it’s a holiday so that saved us a ton by having it on a weekday.

I also got flowers from global rose and publix. My mom maid the bouquet and boutonnieres. We also got married on a sunday which made the venue more affordable.

View Quoted Comment I’ve seen JJ house, I was thinking about getting the bridal party gifts from them.


I’m not that’s hands on, or I would’ve done a ton of DIY’s.

View Quoted Comment Love it!


I am using a mixture of silk and real flowers to cut cost.

My dress was $300; flowers from Michaels $500!

View Quoted Comment Omg! Looks so beautiful, and I honestly couldn’t tell! Congrats to you both!

View Quoted Comment Thank you 😊

Sample sale dress, fake flowers, no favors, very little decor, networked to get referral discounts and new-to-the-business discounts, no extras like photobooths, keep it simple!

Also, take extensive advantage of sales on the paper goods websites.

Got married off season (Nov), dollar tree centerpieces, hobby lobby flowers 50% off then had florist cut and arranged flowers, friend made my cake(discount), cousin DJ (Discount), photographer was an old co-worker (discount), No programs, handmade favors, venue provided food, tables and chairs, officiant was my husband cousin( free but still tipped), no planner. I live in Maryland around DC area but I moved my wedding to Norfolk to save money (saved A LOT). Oh I had no invites, did it electronically but i did print save the dates, which was discounted too.
I think that’s all lol overall spent under $12k.