Ways to save on your wedding

We are still in the heart of engagement season (that's right, Valentine's Day is coming up). Which means many new couples will begin their wedding planning early this year. With wedding costs on the rise (the average wedding is now between $20-30k depending on the area) it is good to know some ways to cut costs in general. Here are a few tips we think are noteworthy: 1. Cut down. Have 100 guests instead of 150. Have a buffet instead of a 5 course meal. Have 3 bridesmaids instead of 7.

2. Loosen up. The less formal the affair, the more affordable. Instead of a sit down hotel dinner, go for a casual brunch or appetizer only event.

3. Pick and choose. Go for a designer dress but skip the expensive shoes and accessories, serve cake but skip the candy/dessert bar. Have an amazing photographer but settle on having cousin Doug in film school videotaping the event.

4. Hire a wedding planner! Wedding planners are professionals and know even more ways to save and cut costs, they even get discounts with many of the wedding vendors who would normally charge you full price. (Hey, I think I know a planner...)

Stay tuned for more tips on getting started with planning your wedding!

Real Wedding: Dena & Cameron 4/21/12

Dena & Cameron were the winners of our contest for free Day-of Coordination (see previous post). We were so excited when the day finally arrived and we were able to coordinate their wedding at the absolutely beautiful St. James Cathedral in Seattle. Dena looked amazing in her sleeping beauty dress and Cam so handsome in his tux.

An amazing dessert table was stocked by the wonderful Jenny's Cookies and everyone danced the night away and had a great time in the Fun Booth from Kaylee Eylander Photography.

Meet Dena & Cameron- Our Free DOC Contest Winners!

Congrats to Dena & Cameron! We chose their application as the winner for the recipients for free Day of Coordination services, courtesy of none other then yours truly, It's Your Day Events & Expressions! The couple will be getting married April 21, 2012 in a church in Seattle.

Dena's entry essay on why she should win:

I believe that Cameron and I should win the “Win a FREE Day-Of Coordination Package!” because not only do we love each other, we have been through several ups and downs in the past two and a half years. Cam and I met online, but it wasn’t love at first sight. We started off as friends, but slowly but surely, Cam convinced me to become his girlfriend. We were both unemployed for nearly the two years that we dated (before we got engaged in June 2011). It was rough to see a future together because of our financial situation, but I prayed that God would send us a sign that we were supposed to end up together. On our two year anniversary, Cam took me out to celebrate. He surprised me by taking me up to Kerry Park in Queen Anne and proposed to me! It was the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me! Of course, I said yes, and we’ve been planning our wedding ever since.

More about the awesome couple:

What are some of your favorite things to do together?

Cam and I love to go to sporting events together (football or soccer games), we typically hang around the house together, we walk my dog together, and we like to spend time with our family and friends. We've also gone to the ballet a few times together (he calls me Sleeping Beauty).

Why are you looking forward to getting married?

I'm looking forward to our life together. It's not so much about the wedding, and that special day, but really building a home and family together. We talk about our unborn children all the time and I think we are both excited about having kids! We both grew up in a similar type of environment and we are looking forward to passing on our values to our children (one day).

What do you love most about each other?

I love Cameron's compassion and he loves my sense of humor.

Win a FREE Day-Of Coordination Package From It’s Your Day!

Have a chance to win a stress free wedding day, for free!
There are many hours that go into planning an event such as a wedding, and with that comes an immense amount of detail; of which need to be executed with the highest degree of accuracy and care. It's Your Day will be there, to guide your vision into reality!

Wedding must be taking place between December 10, 2011 and April 30, 2012 and be taking place within 30 miles of zip code 98034.

To enter email your submission to itsyourdayee@gmail.com and include:
Brides name:
Grooms name:
Email:
Phone:
Address:
City, State, Zip:
Engagement date:
Wedding date:
Venue location:
How you heard about the contest:
Why we should choose you in 200 words or less:

Lastly, you must fan us on FB and leave us a comment!

Fine print: Winner will receive our classic “Day-Of “Coordination Package which includes 10 hours on site at your venue, one hour rehearsal coordination, vendor verification 72 hours before your event, timeline creation, and 4 week final detail consultation.
Contest not open to friends or family of It’s Your Day employees. Entries must be received by 11:59pm on Sunday, Nov 13th, 2011. Winner will be chosen on Nov 14th, 2011 and will be contacted between Nov 14th-18th.
All contest entries information will become property of It’s Your Day and you give permission to join our mailing list. We will NOT give out your information to anyone.
If selected couple grants permission for It’s Your Day Events & Expressions to use couple’s photos, story and review of services for promotional purposes.