The Frugal Family: Event Planning on a Budget

My fiance and I are getting married this September. Between having a child to support and our frugal natures, we are dedicated to planning a budget wedding. Usually the words budget and wedding don't go together. In fact, the average American wedding racks up a bill of around $19,000. In many areas of the country, that amount of money will serve as a down payment on a house, which is a much smarter investment for a couple starting a new life together. Still, we don't want to completely give up elegance just to save money.

While weddings have more pomp and circumstance than your average party, the elements of food and decor (not to mention the people involved) are constants in event planning. Many times the different in price tag is merely due to the mention of a bride or groom. Thankfully our society loves convenience and there are fantastic options out there for help with event planning that won't destroy a small budget.

In everyday life I rely on Yelp to find local restaurants and entertainment. Not only can I find merchants of all types, but I can get reviews from people like me and see budget indicators. It was through Yelp that I was able to find a well reviewed but new-to-the-industry cake maker who charges a fraction of the more established vendors to provide a beautiful cake. Customization and personal touch are built into her prices, which is something that busier budget-friendly companies can't always provide.

Yelp also led me to a beauty school in my area that charges much less than salons to do hair, make up, and nails on my wedding day. Receiving a little bit of pampering prior to the party will double as stress relief, and the money I'll save can go toward something a little more memorable - like the honeymoon.

Catering companies can be found through Yelp, but to my delight I've found that Delivery.com has expanded from just take-out to catering, groceries, and liquor delivery. We plan on self-catering currently, but ordering prepared food is not out of the question if we change our minds.

From party favors to invitations to formal clothing and even jewelry, Etsy has it all. Etsy is like the farmer's market of handmade goods: a collection of storefronts operated by independent, skilled crafters. There is a sense of pride that comes with supporting home-based businesses and if you don't find what you are looking for, most merchants are more than accommodating when it comes to customizations. For the design-challenged or those who can't decide on a theme, Etsy's Storque blog provides plenty of inspiration.

These are just a few of the invaluable sites out there to aid in event planning. What are your favorite resources for parties? Do you have any tips for saving both effort and money in the planning process?

Crystal Ritchie lives and blogs in San Francisco with her preschooler son Jack and her partner in crime/fiance David. She loves to share stories, tips, and tricks related to the parenting gig. When she is not parenting, writing as the San Francisco City Guide Editor for Savvy Source and on her personal blog, Ewokmama.com, or scoping out awesome deals, she can be found working at a software company in her favorite city.