Ebay - Latest Purchase

Large "French" Cannisters (48cm/49cm tall!) - $15 each (got 4)

Small cannisters - $5.95 each (from a small shop near our house

These will be for the dessert buffet.

We will fill them with cookies/lollies/chocolates

Ebay - A Budget Brides Bestfriend

I have spent an awful amount of time on Ebay this weekend.....

I have been doing a lot of research.

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One thing I have decided to try and do is to purchase chairs and tables at VERY cheap prices.

Sometimes the auctions end at $15

Considering a 8 person table is going to cost $18ea to hire + $3 ea chair, if I can PURCHASE one with chairs for $15 it would be a very good buy!!

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These are 2 of my weekend Ebay buys.

I know we said we weren't getting presents for our bridal party, but when you can score 6 x stainless steel hip flasks for $13.83 (inc postage) why wouldn't you!!!

It's all good though! The money we saved buying these black ties from Ebay (7 for $32.95 - budgeted $120!) makes it ok

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Don't forget that THE KNOT AUSTRALIA became live today!!!

VistaPrint

I'm a sucker for a bargain.

If something says "75% off" I'm the first to run on over and check it out.

I've lived my life like this from the start, and I doubt I will ever change.

THIS is why I love VistaPrint.

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Last night I was doing a bit of exploring on Martha Stewart Weddings and fell in love with the Lace Stationery Ideas.

I have our invitations now planned out in my head.

Just need some supplies and away we go.

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That doesn't mean I couldn't organise the Save The Dates though!

I ordered 50 small magnets (with the lace design and wording), and 100 postcards (with the lace design only).

In my head I will stick the magnet onto the postcard with a sticky dot, and tie it all loosely with twine (As I said - In my head).

The Post Cards - Were FREE (Saving of $41.99!)

The Magnets - Were $11 (Saving of $50.00!)

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While I was there a few more deals sucked me in......

A Small Banner, with the lace detailing and text (our names and wedding date) - FREE!

I will use this on the backdrop of the self made photo booth! (Saving of $23.99!)

I also ordered 140 return labels (lace once again!)- FREE (Saving of $15.68)

And 10 Christmas Cards :P - FREE (Saving of $13.99)

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I was worried about how much the postage was going to cost

How can they make any money when they GIVE everything away.....

Postage - $32.88

I selected EXPRESS postage, a little splurge getting express.

TOTAL Saving of products - $150.62!!!

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The final verdict will be the quality hey.....

Have you ever used VistaPrint? How was it?

(If you would like me to send you their latest freebies, leave your email address in a comment - They ship to basically ALL countries)

Changes in the Budget

Thank you for your comments yesterday :)

You had some fantastic ideas.

I thought I might break down everything and explain a bit more?:

x
Ceremony Site - $303 (inc wet weather option) - $181 for the amphitheatre, $122 for the wet weather back up - We COULD always not book the wet weather back up but we do not want to risk it! Thankfully we do not need to get permits etc.
Celebrant - $580 - The running rate for celebrants in Melb seems to be $500....
Reception Food (Pizza) - $500 - We are having 100 people at the reception (approx). Feeding them for $5 per head is obviously a bargain.
Drinks - $750 - I think we can make this $500. We had nearly 2 slabs (from 5), 6 bottles of champagne (from 12), 5 bottles of white (from 9) and 5 bottles of red (from 7) left over from the engagement party. Just need to do a bit of research and grab things when they are on special.
My Dress - $300 - This is from an online site Becky gave me. There is no way we can get a dress cheaper than this (unless I bid on something local on Ebay)
My Shoes, Accessories - $75.00 - Thongs $20, so $55 for accessories - I am going to wear simple pearls, just a stranded necklace, stud earrings, perhaps a bracelet. I will stalk Diva for these on special. Re: Thongs - Can I get the $3 target ones when they are on sale? If so, we could make this $50
Bridesmaid Shoes - $200 - A lot of people have said we shouldn't pay for the shoes, or either to pay for the shoes and not give them presents. I have decided to pay for their shoes/accessories, and to bake cookies and give it to them in a giftbag. Once again - Can I get the $3 cheap thongs from Target (They look the same, but aren't really as comfy as Haviannahs) So this COULD go down to $24.00
Bridesmaid Accessories - $100 - See above - This is a very ROUGH estimate for how much. I am slowly gathering jewellery when I see it go on sale (Diva etc) and I am also going to DIY head pieces/flowers/belts.
Hair for ALL of us - $200 (Sos friends sister) - This is mega cheap already.......
Make Up - $0.00 (BF#1's sister is doing) - Free
BF#1 Suit - $200 - This is a rough guess.
BF#1 Shoes - $20.00 - Thongs again. Or perhaps his black ninja shoes he already owns? He has a problem with getting grumpy when his feet are uncomfy - maybe ninja is the best option! This could go down to $0
Groomsmen Shoes - $120 - Once again - Can I get the $3 cheap thongs from Target - This could go down to $18
Groomsmen Ties -$120 - This is another guesstimate. I am wanting simple black thin ties - Can anyone suggest where to get them?
Puffing Billy - $20 trip x 20ppl = $400 - We aren't hiring limos, etc, and we feel this will make the day so special for us to have that 1hr alone with our bridal party and parents. $400 is a lot but it's something we don't want to sacrifice. It's one of our "luxuries" I guess.
Marquees - $600 - 3 x 3mx9m Marquees with Walls from ebay - $200 each. They are $500 each to HIRE. We are having the reception in the backyard so this will provide a wet weather option, as well as privacy. I will email ebay sellers asking for discounts perhaps?
Stationery/Invitations - $200 - Yes this is high, but this also includes the stamps. We will be making all the stationery. I really think we can do it for under $100. Change the budget to $100. Thanks
Photographer - $500 - Cheap.
Cars other than Puffing Billy (Thankfully working at prestige car companies - we will get these for free).
Flowers - Sos and Tin's (2 BMs) Mum owns a florist - I am budgeting $500.00 - I honestly have NO idea how much flowers cost. I will go in to see her on saturday. She is basically my second Mum and I hightly doubt it will cost $500. I have also offered to go in on the saturday and help MAKE the flower arrangements! Lets take that down to $300?
Decorations for the Reception AND Ceremony (inc favours) - $500.00 - For favours, BF#1 and I are going to be giving everyone a plant - We will grow these :) Ikea have white planters for 99c each x 100 = $100., $100 for fairy lights (will get a lot while on sale after Christmas) and perhaps $100 for other decorations (we are getting everyone to save their jars etc) = $300
Other hire equipment - $500.00 - Chairs, Portaloo, ROUGH guess. Will do more research
Dessert Buffet - $300.00 - Ok I know we can change this to $100 already. Tin has volunteered to make cupcakes. I will make a whole heap of slices etc, we will spend $100 on getting 2 x cafe cakes. Ooo
Plates, glasses etc - $300.00 - I am researching this also - I do NOT want to serve the pizza on paper plates - I am sorry.

Gifts for Bridal Party - $400.00 = See above - $50 (for the bags etc)
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NEW total = $6045.00

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That's a bit better (and still includes some REALLY rough estimates)

I'll post pretty things later on :)

Mock Budget/Pricelist.

I would really love to say that we are going to stick to our $5k budget but I can already tell we are going to break it......

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I'm just going to write a quick tally of what we are/think we will spend.

x

• Ceremony Site - $303 (inc wet weather option)
• Celebrant - $580
• Reception Food (Pizza) - $500
• Drinks - $750
• My Dress - $300
• My Shoes, Accessories - $75.00
• Bridesmaid Shoes - $200
• Bridesmaid Accessories - $100
• Hair for ALL of us - $200 (Sos friends sister)
• Make Up - $0.00 (BF#1's sister is doing)
• BF#1 Suit - $200
• BF#1 Shoes - $20.00
• Groomsmen Shoes - $120
• Groomsmen Ties -$120
• Puffing Billy - $20 trip x 20ppl = $400
• Marquees - $600
• Stationery/Invitations - $200
• Photographer - $500

= $5168.00

This does not include the following

--> Cars other than Puffing Billy (Thankfully working at prestige car companies - we will get these for free).

--> Flowers - Sos and Tin's (2 BMs) Mum owns a florist - I am budgeting $500.00

--> Decorations for the Reception AND Ceremony (inc favours) - $500.00

--> Other hire equipment - $500.00

--> Dessert Buffet - $300.00

--> Plates, glasses etc - $300.00

--> Gifts for Bridal Party - $400.00

TOTAL with this added in = $7668.00

Shit, fuck, shit - I mean it's not the end of the world, but it's not what we budgeted.

Do you have any ideas on how we can cut costs?

(p.s - I must remind you that a lot of these are GUESSTIMATES - eg: Flowers, Decorations etc and we may spend A LOT less than guesstimated)

How to pick a wedding dress?

I have an image of my wedding dress in my head.

That image keeps changing and it's starting to drive me crazy.

Straps? No Straps? Sleeves? No Sleeves?

One thing is fairly obvious to me now, after trying on 15 dresses with one of my BM, The above is the silouette I need to suit my body.

These images are from DuoSheng an online store based in China! The dresses are about $200 including delivery (Thank you to Beck for this site)

Sponsor: Lacey Lou Designs

Welcome Lacey Lou Designs to The Organised Bride!

Lacey Lou Designs is now a sponsor :)

Lacey Lou Designs offers beautiful handmade invitations at a very friendly price!

About Lacey Lou Designs:
"Who doesn't love receiving an invitation? Whether it's to a small gathering, to a wonderful wedding! I know I do!"
"My dream now is to help others create their perfect invitaitons at a cheaper price! I now work with wholesalers, which gives me even more savings to pass on!"

You can visit Lacey Lou Design's Blog HERE
(www.laceyloudesigns.blogspot.com)
Or the Ebay store - HERE

Reception Inspiration

Researching a few Wedding Hire sites has been interesting.

The prices of Marquees are horrible! We currently own a 3mx3m Marquee (which we scored for free) but it's looking a little bit sad (read: Hole in roof).

I have checked a few stores for these, or 3mx6m Marquees for the engagement party and while on Ebay I stumbled across these (3mx9m!):

Would you like to know the price INCLUDING postage?

Around AU$200 (max).

Did you know that is cheaper than hiring a Marquee of this size?

I started to research the set up of the marquees on TheKnot.com

Long Tables? Round Tables? Lots of Fairy Lights? Lanterns?

There are so many options!

Above are a few of my favourites.

Link: The Knot.com

Budget Centre Pieces #1

I would love your opinions in regards to these worked into the reception decor.

These are the KaiserCraft "Love" plaques/decorations.

They stand up by themselves, and are 26cm x 28cm.

They work out to $10ea retail, but I am lucky enough to be able to get them for $5ea.

I think these would look beautiful painted white, maybe with some sort of flowers attached to the tops, on the reception tables between vases/candles etc.

What are your thoughts?