Easy Way to throw a Charming Wedding Day

Trying to throw a small yet elegant wedding on a low budget? Here's an idea for a wedding that should cost you $1000 or less!I have gotten some "Ask Tinka" emails about throwing a wedding as little as $1000 so I decided to respond with an idea I have.  Afterall, everyone deserves to celebrate their wedding-- even those who don't have $15,000 to … [Read more...]

5 Hidden Costs of a Wedding

Trying to stick to a strict budget? Don't forget these hidden costs of having a wedding!Gratuity! Gratuity is usually added to the final bill for your caterer. However, it is also polite to tip waiters/waitresses, bartenders, church musicians, and any others who you think deserve it. Taxes! Don't forget to include taxes in your budget … [Read more...]

Money-Smart Wedding Planning

10 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY WHEN PLANNING YOUR SPECIAL DAY!When planning your wedding, remember that you are starting your life with the one you love. And it is important to get that life started on the right foot! That means having a special wedding day but also keeping the life ahead of you in mind. You don’t want to come home from your … [Read more...]

8 Little Known Ways to Get Wedding Discounts

Want to know the secrets that are saving brides hundreds or even thousands of dollars? Keep reading!Search "wedding coupons" online. You won't believe how many coupons you will find. Go to the websites of the stores you want to buy things from and sign up for their e-newsletter (if they have one). They will probably send you coupons and … [Read more...]

Average Costs of a Wedding Photographer, Videographer, DJ, and Officiant

I get a lot of questions about the "average" cost of different wedding vendors so I decided to do a little bit of research. I chose 5 major US cities and looked up 3 of each of these vendors for each city. Based on the prices given on their websites, here are the average costs of these wedding vendors: … [Read more...]

Budgeting for a $15,000 Wedding

Dear Tinka,I am having some trouble managing my budget for my May wedding. My fiance and I are always fighting about how much money I spend. Our budget of $15,000 is quickly drying up, and I am beginning to panic! I am almost ready to reschedule the date so we'll have more time and more money. Any tips?Stressed-out Bride named Olivia  … [Read more...]

How to Budget for a $10,000 Wedding!

Here is a sample budget for an average priced wedding!Budget: $10,000 Ceremony venue: $300 Reception venue: $800 Officiant: $100 Florist: $700 Caterer/Food: $1500 DJ: $800 Wedding dress & alterations: $700 Suit/Tux: 150 Bride & Groom Accessories: $400 Cake: $200 Photographer: $1000 Videographer: … [Read more...]