Wedding Ideas

In today's climate of extreme budgeting and cutbacks, you might not feel certain that you can afford the wedding of your dreams – or even the wedding ring of your dreams. However, an inexpensive trio wedding ring set might be just the answer you are looking for to find timeless, elegant style at an affordable price.

Some jewelers offer better prices on three rings purchased together as a set an engagement ring, a ladies' wedding band, and a men's wedding band than these three rings purchased separately. Basically, an inexpensive trio wedding ring set saves you money because it saves the jeweler money. It is less expensive for a jeweler to manufacture, ship, and market coordinating rings as a set, and it saves you time and money, too.

You are likely to save even more money if you are willing to forego a diamond solitaire ring and instead invest in a diamond cluster ring. Just like a solitaire ring, a diamond cluster ring is made from real diamonds that are certified conflict-free. However, instead of one big expensive diamond, the ring is made from a cluster of smaller high-quality diamonds. The visual impact of a diamond cluster ring is the same as a solitaire ring, as the grouping of diamonds gives both elegance and luster. However, the cost is much less, since it is cheaper to mine perfect diamonds that are smaller in size.

An inexpensive trio wedding ring set that is comprised of diamond clusters will save you even more money, but they will still last you a lifetime. You will likely wish to insure your wedding jewelry, just as you would for more expensive selections, and you care for the jewelry in the same way. Now all you need to do is decide what style suits you best!

Photo Credit: Flickr (dccraftaholic128)

In today’s fast-paced world, flexible bargain hunters can often find amazing deals on anything from clothing to vehicles to travel to food. However, bargain hunting is not an exact science. When it comes to planning a budget wedding, it would not be smart to wait until the last minute looking for the best possible deal, not find a deal, and then need to go far over your budget in order to find a caterer or other service provider available at the last minute.

No, the best idea is to plan ahead. From picking an inexpensive trio wedding ring set to booking a venue, sooner is generally better. If you have more time to plan a wedding, then it gives you the time for things like getting a ring resized or a dress altered without the stress (and added expense) of needing a quick turnaround, and it gives you more of an opportunity to look around for the best deal before you absolutely need to make a decision.

How Planning Ahead Saves Budget Wedding Bucks

1. Purchase your budget wedding dress several months in advance. This gives you plenty of time to order the dress without paying for more expensive shipping and handling. Most bridal stores do not sell off the rack, so it often takes several weeks for your dress to come in. This also gives you more time to shop around for a good deal or to hire a seamstress to copy a designer dress for you at a much more reasonable cost. And if you need alterations made, having a few months as a cushion also saves you from having to pay significantly more to a tailor for a rush order.

2. Select and order your inexpensive trio wedding ring set with months to spare before the wedding. Ordering ahead allows you the luxury of time to choose the right rings for your budget, saves you money on shipping, and gives you the chance to get the rings resized if they don’t have the perfect fit when they arrive.

3. Allow yourself plenty of time to shop around for the venue, caterer, photographer, etc. that will give you the best value for your money. You might even have the time to take on a few DIY projects to save a little cash. But at some point, you will need to make a decision and commit to your choices. The perfect deal may not be out there, but at least you won’t be trying to scramble at the very last minute to find a professional and reasonably priced wedding photographer who isn’t already booked. And if you are not in a rush, you can make plans to book an off-season budget wedding to save even more money.

What are your tips for planning ahead to save money? Share them in the comments.