With 5 daughters I knew someday I would be an expert on frugal wedding planning. We got our first run a few months ago when our oldest got married right before Christmas. I wanted her day to be everything she dreamed of, but that didn’t mean the budget was unlimited.
We gave her a $6,000 budget (very large honestly and we really ended almost $2k under budget). At first the word budget to her meant that we didn’t want things to be special, but eventually we got on the same page and she saw that we were taking her dreams and making them happen in a way that was affordable.
I guess I should also mention that this was a wedding that had over 350 invited guests. That wasn’t the mother’s idea. They started inviting people before we even talked about money and budgets, so it made for some hard conversations. I highly recommend talking about budgets and expectations on all sides as soon as possible. I also wish we had sat down with the groom’s family and all had a chat about who was willing to pay for what as there were hard moments that more communication up front could have avoided.
My brain is still processing everything, but I thought I would share some of the key ways that we stayed under budget while still making it a gorgeous special day.
Utilize Spaces You Have Access To
The largest portion of most wedding budgets go to event space rental and food service. Going with a church wedding and a reception in the fellowship hall meant that we paid $0 on this category!
Whether you are a member of a church, have access to a rec space, or a friend of friend… you probably have some options that are very affordable.
Note: While we did pay nothing, we tried to also help the church out before the wedding and spent quite a bit of time cleaning carpets, and other small projects that needed to be done.
Bought the Dress 2nd Hand But Still New
We did the classic dress hunting with a goal to not spend more than $500. It didn’t take long to realize that in the wedding industry that is almost nothing. I guess if people will pay it…
In case you missed it, yesterday was National Lash Day. Lucky for you the Ulta Beauty sale continues through Saturday!
Get up to 30% off false lashes, mascara, and more! Order today (2/20) and get FREE SHIPPING, too!
Deal Ideas
GrandeLASH-MD Lash Enhancing Serum – $47.60 (reg. $68)
Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing & Lengthening Mascara – $20.30 (reg. $29)
Kiss imPRESS Press-On Falsies Eyelash Curly Clusters Refill Pack – $10.84 (reg. $15.49)
Shop deals thru 2/21. Shipping is good on orders of $35+.
Read More→
If you need a new pair of Hey Dude shoes, this is a good time to grab them! They currently have three different offers running!
Use the following promo codes to score great deals at Hey Dude.
- BONUS – Extra 40% off sale styles (exp 2/25). Shop here.
- FEB25 – 25% off select regular price styles (exp 2/25). Shop here.
- GAMEDAY – Extra 50% off collegiate styles (exp 3/31). Shop here.
Deal Ideas
Karina Duo Classic – $64.99 (reg. $70)
-extra 40% off with code BONUS
makes it $38.99
Wendy Funk Mono – $49.99 (reg. $64.99)
-extra 40% off with code BONUS
makes it $29.99
Austin Lift Classic – $64.99 (reg. $80)
-extra 40% off with code BONUS
makes it $38.99
This deal is good through 2/25. Collegiate sale lasts longer. Shipping is FREE on orders $60 and up. Read More→
Head to Walmart for a steep discount on this elegant Better Homes & Gardens Juliet Arch Accent Cabinet in green. Get it for just $198 (reg. $348)!
This cabinet is made of durable wood and tempered glass. It includes five interior shelves, with two fixed and three adjustable. The euro-style soft-closing hinges allow the smooth and quiet operation of doors.
Get the deal:
Better Homes & Gardens Juliet Arch Accent Cabinet, green – $198 (reg. $348)!
This offer is good for a limited time only. Shipping is free with Walmart+ or free with orders of $35+.
See more deals at Walmart.
I love these mini lamps!
Right now, speed over to Target.com where you can score mini lamps for just $4 – regularly $10!
There are several styles and colors to choose from. These are perfect for a kitchen or bathroom counter, a dorm room, small spaces and more!
Deal Ideas:
Mini Ceramic Lamp $4 (reg. $10)
Mini Stick Table Lamp $4 (reg. $10)
Mini Lamp w/ Glass Orb $4 (reg. $10)
These deals are good for a limited time. Shipping is free on orders $35+ and for Target Circle Card holders.
Read More→
Here are all the top deals running next week at CVS and Walgreens! Stock up on diapers, paper goods, detergent and more.
This is the second week for CVS deals and the last week for Walgreens month long deals. Make sure to shop this week if you want any of these deals!
Remember this is just the highlights, head over and check each list for lots of other deals:
CVS Ad: 2/22-2/28
- Select Kellogg’s Cereal, 7.8-14.5 oz., $1.99
-.90/1 Kellogg’s Cereal, select incl Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops and Froot Loops Marshmallows, , excl bagged and single servelimit 5, Ibotta mobile app
-.50/1 Kellogg’s All-Bran or Cracklin’ Oat Bran Cereal printable (limit reached)
-$1 off Kellogg’s Bran Cereal Products, select, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
-.75/1 Kellogg’s Cereal Products, select excl bagged and single serve, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app
(buy (1), use $1 Ibotta rebates, makes it 99¢) - $2 ECB wyb (2) L’Oreal Elvive Shampoo or Conditioner, 12.6 oz, $5.29, limit 1
-$4/2 L’Oreal Paris Elvive shampoo, conditioner or treatment, excl 2.5 oz, twin & value packs, CVS eCoupon
(buy (2), use $4/2 eCoupon, makes it $2.29 ea. after ECB) - $5 ECB wyb (3) Crest 3D White 2.4 oz, Pro-Health 4.3 oz, Plus 5.4 oz, 3in1 4.6 oz paste, Oral-B Charcoal, Advanced Whitening, Sensitive 1 ct. brush, Scope Outlast or Crest Pro-Health Clean Mint 500mL, $3.99, limit 1
-$5/3 Crest Adult Paste 2.4 oz+, Crest 3DW Deep Stain Remover, Crest Kids Advanced, Burt’s Bees Adult Paste 4.0 oz+, Crest, Scope OR Oral-B Mouthwash 473 mL+, Scope Squeez, Oral-B Adult Manual Brush, Expandable, CVS eCoupon
(buy (3), use $5/3 eCoupon, makes it 65¢ ea. after ECB) - $5 ECB wyb $20 in Kimberly-Clark Products – Huggies Bagged Diapers, Pull-Ups or Goodnites, 2 for $20
-$3/2 Huggies Little Movers, Little Snugglers, Overnites, Snug & Dry, or Skin Essentials diapers, 10-ct+, CVS eCoupon
(buy (2) for $20, use $3/2 coupon, makes it $6 each after ECB) Read More→
Right now at Amazon you can snag Tree Hut Dewy Daisy Shea Sugar Scrub for as low as $4.25 shipped when you Subscribe & Save!
Discounts vary between 5% to 15% depending on how many items you have in your Subscribe & Save order.
This is a great (and popular) item to stash away for a preteen or teen Easter basket!
Here’s the deal:
Tree Hut Dewy Daisy Shea Sugar Scrub $5 (reg. $8.94)
-Subscribe & Save
makes it as low as $4.25 shipped!
This deal is good for a limited time. Shipping is FREE for Prime members and on orders $35+.
See more online shopping deals!
Chick-Fil-A One Members, speed over to your app where everyone gets a FREE Chick-fil-A breakfast chicken biscuit!
Open your Chick-Fil-A mobile app and you’ll see this in your rewards. Hit ‘redeem reward’ and apply it to your next order.
To use Chick-Fil-A Rewards:
- Order in-store or thru the app. If you’re not a member, join for free!
- In app orders will see the reward apply automatically at checkout.
- Drive-thru orders, have the person scan your Chick-Fil-A app before you pay to apply any rewards.
Note: Your reward is good for single-use only and through 2/28.
See more dining deals!
Head to Amazon where you can score this candle warmer lamp for just $12.49 when you use this coupon code at checkout!
To get the deal, just use coupon code 32KZK6SM at checkout for an extra 50% off.
Candle warmer lamps are popular because it will melt your candle more slowly and evenly compared to lighting the wick. This will get more use out of your candle while still getting the scent and the warm glow of the lamp.
This deal is good for a limited time. Shipping is FREE.
See more online shopping deals!
