10 tips for a low-cost wedding list

by HelenDecember 5, 2011 0

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Image: www.risparmiando.it

Choosing your wedding list is a sensitive and personal issue, which always causes a conflict between what couples really want and family and friends want to give. In recent years, the practical and convenient concept of the online wedding list has become increasingly popular, which alongside a cheque or cash, is perhaps the best solution for a couple, given that they can use their money as they wish and to buy what they really want.

So, what’s the best way to use the money? Making “low cost purchases”, of course!

Here are 10 tips for a truly low-cost wedding list:

• Special offers

There’s nothing better than saving in order to buy objects that are on sale. Before buying a washing machine, coffee machine or television, it’s worth taking a look at the items on sale. And if you manage to save a little money on your washing machine, you’ll also be able to buy other treats that you really want.

• Avoid waste

When you decide to create a wedding list in a shop, the staff tend to make you believe that everything is essential. Nevertheless, it depends a lot on your lifestyle and the budget that you have. So before you start getting stressed about all the kitchen utensils you can imagine, stop and think about your real needs. If you regularly invite Kate and William to dinner, then you’re going to need the sterling silver cutlery set, but if you tend to have your friends over for pizza and beer, perhaps it would be better to have a re-think…

• Don’t get trapped by your newlywed enthusiasm

This is for all you newlyweds. If you avoid getting trapped by your enthusiasm and the romantic idea of carefully prepared dinners, you’ll avoid impulse buys like a bread machine, a pasta machine, a fondue, an ice cream maker, etc. Unless you really want to spend your Saturday mornings in the kitchen, you’re risking filling your home up with things you don’t even know how to switch on!

• Department Stores

Try and take advantage of department stores for your shopping. You’ll find major discounts in electric appliance chains and homeware stores. If you’re not really thinking about buying hand-decorated porcelain (remember, the more delicate the pieces, you won’t be able to put them in the dishwasher), you’ll be able to find everything you need at a truly reasonable price in your local department store.

• ‘No’ to the latest in technology developments
  

For those who are only interested in the latest products, remember that next generation technology products can be very expensive. I’m a practical girl, so I say a TV is a TV and the important thing is that it works.

• Spend some of the money on your house

If you’ve bought a house and you have a mortgage, it might be an idea to spend some of your gift on paying off some of the debt. Doing this is a major benefit at times like these.

Imagen: Karl Stanzel

• Honeymoon

If you haven’t created a wedding list with a travel agency, you can spend part of the money from your online wedding list on your honeymoon. Organising your trip yourselves via the Internet can also provide you with savings. There are websites where you can book a night in a seaside hotel in Santo Domingo for less than 50 pounds. This means that your greatest cost is the flights, but you can make sure you have a dream honeymoon, spending half what you would have spent at a travel agency.

• Renting

When thinking about furniture you can always rent a furnished property and spend some of the money received on that rent. And if your dream home is unfurnished, remember, you’ll always have Ikea.

• Outlets

Outlets are a relatively new idea and in the case of household appliances, you can often find discounts of up to 50% at an outlet, compared to buying in a high street store.

• Don’t rush

My last tip is that you take your time. You can do things little by little. In the beginning, just spend the money on the things you really need. Then keep the rest of the money for the future and wait for special offers and sales.

Guest blogger: Sandra from Nozze Furbe
Expert in low cost and sustainable weddings, Italy
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