Savings Tip for Wedding Expenses: Borrow

March 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment

All MOBs’ ears perk up when they catch wind of a way to save some money, and I’m sure you’re no exception, Mother of the Bride. Be sure not to overlook the value of today’s tip: Borrow when you can!

You’ll be amazed at how many dollars you can save by borrowing. And you’ll be equally amazed at how many items can fall into this category.

Some items you might try to borrow include cake knife and server sets, champagne buckets, white rose garland, hurricanes and other glassware for candles, a wedding arch, pew bows, extension cords, flower girl baskets and ring bearer pillows, and plant stands. If the bride doesn’t mind, you might even be able to borrow a veil, headpiece, or bridal slip. After all, she needs something borrowed for the big day! And you might even be able to borrow a small purse to match your ensemble, MOB.

So MOB, make a list of items and then check with friends and family. Someone might have just what you need. Be especially sure to check with friends who’ve hosted weddings themselves recently. One of the things I was happy to do during my post-MOB days was loan items to fellow MOBs eager to save dollars where they could.

Be bold, MOB. Ask to borrow when you can!

*You might also like to read Savings Tip for Bridal and Bridesmaids Bouquets,  Quick Tip: Getting the Most Bang for Your MOB Buck , and Making Her Beautiful—Bridal Primping on a Budget.

*I hope this slightly revised encore post from April 2014 is a help to you today, MOB!

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride and also my Wedding Inspiration cards, check out my Books/My Work page.

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, will come out in early May. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*Photo by Flowers Photography

Filed Under: advice, bride, free, help, money, Mother of the Bride, preparation, wisdom Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bride and Bridesmaid Bouquet Savings Tip

October 23, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, are you interested in saving money on the floral expense for your daughter’s wedding?

Silly question, right? Every MOB is interested in saving money. I heard a great tip about wedding flowers a few years ago while watching Wedding Wednesdays on Katie so I wanted to share it with you here.

Simply ask your daughter if she would be willing to select flowers with large blooms for the bridesmaids bouquets and possibly even her own. Large blooms means less flowers needed overall for the bouquets. And less flowers means less expense. And of course, less expense means welcome relief for the parents of the bride!

I realize the bride-to-be may have her heart set on particular flowers already, but if not, suggesting those with large blooms is a terrific idea. Like the gerber daisies pictured above, large-bloomed flowers can make beautiful bouquets. Peonies, dahlias, hydrangeas, and sunflowers are also some other great options.

So go on, MOB, ask away—and have fun saving a little money! 

*You might like to read this piece by Anne Chertoff that features lots of great ideas for saving money on the wedding flowers. 

*I hope this slightly revised post from May 2014 helped you today!

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early November. One lucky subscriber (new or current) will receive a $15 gift card to Starbucks and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*Flickr photo by shelleyelizabeth, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: advice, bride, bridesmaids, flowers, money, Mother of the Bride Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Wedding Expenses: Get the Most Bang for Your Buck

January 30, 2018 by Leave a Comment

At the beginning of a new year, many of us are looking for ways to trim down, both physically and financially. Saving money always feels good and getting the most value for our money makes us smile as well. Sometimes we get downright giddy over a good deal!

Want to know how to get the most bang for your MOB buck, Mother of the Bride? Here’s my tip: Put your checkbook away and use your credit card when paying for wedding expenses.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not advocating racking up charges that you don’t have the money to cover. But since you’re going to be making lots of purchases—and some of them very big—why not take advantage and rack up the points on your credit card so you can purchase free flights or other free items?

In other words, let the money spent on the wedding work twice for you—once to make your sweet daughter’s dreams come true and the second time to make your dreams come true. Another win-win on the wedding front!

*You might also like to read Wedding Planning Tip: Ask for Price Breaks, Wedding Savings Tip: Make It Yourselves!, A Simple Wedding Expense Tip, Wedding Savings Tip: Borrow!, Let Bridesmaids Bouquets Perform Double Duty, Wedding-Themed Shower Gifts, and Christmas Gifts for the Bride.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out on Thursday Feb. 1st. One lucky subscriber will receive a $15 gift card to Starbucks and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. New subscribers this week won’t be included in this giveaway but will be included in all future giveaways. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*Flickr photo by Images Money, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: advice, money, Mother of the Bride, opportunity Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Quick Tip: Getting the Most Bang for Your MOB Buck

January 1, 2014 by Leave a Comment

5856793551_2efa2e32af_zMany times as we begin a new year, we’re looking for ways to trim down, both physically and financially. Saving money always feels good. And getting the most value for our money makes us smile as well. In fact, sometimes we get downright giddy over a good deal, don’t we?

Want to know how to get the most bang for your MOB buck as we kick off the New Year, Mother of the Bride? Here’s my tip: Put your checkbook away and use your credit card when paying for wedding expenses.

Now I’m not advocating racking up charges that you don’t have the money to cover. But since you’re going to be making lots of purchases—and some of them very big—why not take advantage and rack up the points on your credit card so you can purchase free flights or other free items?

In other words, let the money spent on the wedding work twice for you—once to make your sweet daughter’s dreams come true and the second time to make your dreams come true. Another win-win on the wedding front!

*What other tips will help MOBs get the most bang for their buck?

*Flickr photo by Images Money, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: advice, free, money, Mother of the Bride, opportunity Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,