5 Online Resources for the Budget Savvy Bride

Posted by Stephanie Soong on March 8th, 2010

When I got engaged recently, I was over the moon—but astronomical expectations for a dream wedding came crashing back to Earth when it finally hit me: Wow, we really have to pay for this shindig. Being a freelance journalist (me) and a newly graduated political science Ph.D. (him) we haven’t exactly saved a small fortune for such an occasion.

(image via Bridesmaid.com)

With the average cost of a wedding hitting $38,466, what’s a budget-minded bride to do? Besides browsing the usual suspects, such as eBay and craigslist for bridal accessories, wedding cake serving sets and favors, bookmark these five resources that are sure to save you some dough—and inspire you in the process.

1. Etsy.com: The ultimate DIY and craft marketplace is a treasure trove of beautifully handcrafted items at reasonable prices. From veils to innovative party favors to custom gowns, this is a perfect resource, especially for those who don’t want a cookie-cutter wedding.

2. TheBrokeassBride.com: The name alone says it all. When Dana LaRue set out to plan her wedding on a non-existent budget, she started this blog to chronicle her journey—and share the lessons she learned along the way. It’s all about making the most of what you have, and giving you ideas on how to do it.

3. BrideShare.net: That Dana LaRue is one busy bee. In addition to her blog, she’s also founded this innovative social networking site, which encourages brides to share wedding resources and goods, like attire, rentals and décor. You can easily search for brides in your area who are willing to split costs and share their goods. After all, sharing is caring!

4. RecycledBride.com: If you’re looking for gently used designer wedding dresses, bridesmaid outfits, jewelry, décor and more, you’ve come to the right place. It’s not only free to sell and buy items here, but it’s also got a crystal-clear mission—to save green by being green.

5. APracticalWedding.com: It’s all too easy to get whipped into a “Platinum Weddings” frenzy when planning your special day, so whenever you need a break to remind yourself what really matters—or a kick in the pants when you find yourself considering spending $7,000 on flowers alone—get your daily dose of grounded, inspirational advice and insight from this no-nonsense blog.

These are just a few of the many resources available to brides. If you’ve got some of your own that you’d like to share, feel free to post them in the comment section below!