Hey everyone -  we’re putting “Color Monday” on hold til tomorrow- in light of telling you about our SUMMER BLOWOUT SALE that starts today!

Now is the perfect time to order your Save the Dates and Invitations from MagnetStreet Weddings! And your Reception Items too … In fact, with a deal this fab -  20% off everything – treat yourself to the entire suite!

Save the Dates … Wedding Invitations … Reception Items {Place & Table Cards, RSVP, Menu Cards} … Embellishments {Envelope Liners & Belly Bands} … Thank Yous … Shower Invitations … Bachelor Party Invitations … Bachelorette Party Invitations … Rehearsal Dinner Invitations … Programs …

Ready to personalize. Set. Go!

Today, through September 5th, 2011 … use promo code WBLOG822 for an entire 20% off!

Make any design your own by personalizing with your wedding colors, special wording, fonts and photos!

Your wedding. Your way.

I think we can all agree … we love to save money … but we hate watching the budget- no fun at all!

And, because wedding costs add up very quickly, many couples go way over their wedding budget. That said, it’s important to know your costs so you’re not taken by surprise and have to cut things later. Continue reading for 10 creative ways to help you save …

First, check out this post Who Pays for What for a traditional breakdown on who pays for what- it’s one of the first things on the “to do” list after getting engaged. Then, soon afterwards you’ll want to talk about what you really want in your wedding- the desires of your heart stuff. Then, do your research on what things and services actually cost while comparing prices and perhaps doing a little negotiating for those things. In fact, check out this post to see read how Nicole and Nick bartered many of their wedding costs {very creative + cool e-session photos}.

10 Ways to save on your wedding budget:

1. Save postage by sending RSVP Postcards.
2. Wedding dress: shop off the rack, clearance or sample sales. Go vintage and restore your mom’s/grandmother’s dress and her jewelry.
3. Veil: DIY.
4. Decorations: DIY. Clip coupons from local craft stores. Choose pre-decorated venues at holiday times. Rent or borrow rather than buy. Nature provides a lot of her own decorations.
5. Flowers: Arrange by color rather than flower type and choose in-season. Use single flowers rather than bouquets. Silk over fresh. Grow your own flowers from seeds.
6. Venues: Generally less expensive are university chapels or your home church, backyards, flower gardens, zoo, city or state parks, your home etc.
7. Reception: Buffet or hors d’oeuvre meal style rather than a sit-down. Host the reception on a Friday night or serve earlier rather than later. Cupcakes instead of cake. No alcohol or limited alcohol. Consider a venue that allows you to bring in your own food and drink.
8. Professionals: Although I am a proponent of using professionals, hiring or not hiring depends on your needs but alas, you set the limits on their time and services. Check with the local college or university for interns in photography, floral, music, etc.

MagnetStreet Weddings has created a Budget Guide to help you track and categorize expenses. Plus, cool interactive features help make the categorizing and tracking all the easier! Download our Budget Guide here.

Two other ways to save with MagnetStreet Weddings:

9. Subscribe to Bride Vibe- and receive exclusive discounts {and other cool stuff}

10. Check MagnetStreet’s coupon codes – for the latest and greatest deals and discounts

What is one way you saved big or are saving big on wedding costs?

image source

Country charming … love love the look of mason jars as wedding decor! They’re so versatile- and great for adding sweet and budget-friendly DIY touches like these wedding centerpieces.

Spray paint … it’s our friend! Its inherent ability to transform and renew has helped me on many occasions.  Here are  a few ideas to show off how transforming using spray paint on mason jars can be…

Share your country flair in your wedding colors!

image via {Joy’s Hope}

Painted white and used as hanging luminaries, these mason jars have an ethereal glow to them – that is just so pretty.

image via {re-nest}

Eclectic and creative.

image via {colour her hope}

Bright and cheery!

image via {curbly}

What do you think of using mason jars as wedding decor?

Happy Friday!
It’s the weekend. A three-day weekend.
A three-day holiday weekend.
A three-day holiday weekend, that’s bursting with savings!

Have fun. Celebrate our freedoms and let the sparks fly!

In between the boating and the BBQs, be sure to pop on over to MagnetStreet Weddings and take advantage of this weekend’s 20% discount! Did you know that every design can be personalized with any color you want? Choose from over 60 popular colors in Design Studio or create a custom color if you’d like.

We’ve got gorgeous, brand-new save the date designs {from peacock … to watercolor … to floral illustrations} and 5 different types of wedding invitations to choose from. Every thank you card can be coordinated with your invite suite. Oh, and have you seen our sweet new rehearsal dinner invites yet?

Beyond the wedding … personal stationery designs and address labels and seals to round out your look.

Plus … I can’t forget about bachelorette invitations and for the guys~ bachelor invites. I could go on and on but if you want to just follow me over- you can see everything for yourself.

Get 20% off ALL your stationery items this weekend- through 7/5/11. Use promo code WEDHAPPY at checkout.

Have a great 4th of July everyone!