Weddings can be expensive and time consuming to plan for. Online shopping can save you a lot in both time and money as you prepare for the big day. You can shop at any time of the day and in the convenience of your own home. It sounds great doesn’t it? It is. However, sometimes things don’t always go so smoothly. Here are 10 tips to ensure that your money and details are safe.   

1) It is often easier and quicker to order from Australian sites. If purchasing from overseas you may have additional costs such as import duties.  Allow plenty of time if purchasing from overseas stores before you wedding day as delivery times will be longer. You may also need to make some alterations once your purchase has arrived. 

2) Does the store have a phone number and a physical address? Do they have an ABN (Australian Business Number)? This will make it easier if you need to contact them over any problem s with your order. 

3) Look at reviews from other buyers. If purchasing on sites such as eBay, you are able to see the seller’s feedback score and comments. 

4) Keep an eye on the expected delivery times. If it hasn’t arrived in the expected timeframe, contact the seller promptly. Many sellers are able to give you a tracking number to see where your package is. 

5) Check the total cost of the purchase. Is GST in addition to the quoted price? Check the postage price, especially if purchased from an overseas store.  Are you buying in Australian dollars?

6) Check to see if the store offers a refund policy. Are you able to return a purchase for credit or refund if it is not to your liking? It is often difficult to visualise exactly what something looks like from online pictures. The colour may not look quite the same once it arrives. You may need to pay for the postage both ways and maybe a restocking fee. 

7) Pay for your purchases securely. Pay via a safe payment method. PayPal is a popular and safe form of payment. If paying online with a credit card, make sure that the seller has a secure payment process. Look for a padlock symbol or a web address starting with https:// (with the s) rather than http://. Paying via credit card can potentially allow you to reverse your payment if problems arise also.   

8) Keep records of your purchase, emails and payment receipts. This may come in handy if you have a problem. 

9) Look out for scams. Never click on links from emails, and definitely don’t give out any passwords from links via emails. 

10) If it is too good to be true, it probably is.   

There are many benefits to shopping online for your wedding. Online shopping gives a huge selection of wedding items right at your fingertips. You can share your ideas and pictures with your friends, family and bridal party easily. It is easy to shop around for a great bargain and compare prices on items.  You can also take your time when shopping online, with no salesperson there next to you.  If you follow these simple tips, you will be on the right track to ordering safely online for your special day!

Many couples live together before marriage and already have their homes set up. They may not want or need the traditional wedding gifts like sheets, towels, toasters and dinner sets. It is becoming more popular to have a wishing well at wedding receptions. A wishing well allows guests to give a monetary gift. 

Asking for a money gift instead of the traditional gifts can be challenging. Some more traditional guests may find being asked for money rude. Wishing Wells often allow a more comfortable way of asking for money.  

When sending out wedding invitations, the addition of a wishing well card or note is often enclosed. A tasteful way of including this is with the many wishing well poems or phrases.  This is similar to the cards that have often been enclosed giving information about the wedding gift registry, with details of where the gift registry was held. Many guests are now familiar with the use of wishing wells, but there may be some guests who need the concept explained to them, as they may not be familiar with wishing wells. You may also like to note what you are planning on using the money for, e.g. a house deposit or a bedroom suite. 

If you feel uncomfortable enclosing a wishing well card, you can get the word out about your wishing well via the mother of the bride and bridesmaids. Often when guests are calling to RSVP, they may ask the family and bridal party about suitable gifts for the couple. The wishing well option can be mentioned then. 

There are other benefits to having a wishing well at your wedding reception. Having a lockable wishing well at your reception, allows the money to be kept safe. Your wishing well can also be part of your overall reception decoration and theme. You may like to use this space for a note about what you are using the money for. Also, having some blank cards and notes with your wishing well allows guests to write messages and thoughts, not just using the wishing well for monetary gifts, but for well wishes also. 

Guests are often happy to place money in the wishing well. It saves them having to find a gift for a couple that may be difficult to buy for, or who they do not know so well. It is important to keep the request polite and tasteful, still giving the guest the option as to whether they would like to give a gift or money, some even choosing to do both. 

Many couples are now asking for money instead of wedding gifts.  Often couples have lived together before marriage, or had their own houses set up, and are not in need of the more traditional wedding gifts.  Also, it can make it easier for your guests, as they don't have to worry about what to buy.  Wishing Wells at your wedding reception can be ideal.

Many couples worry about how to ask for money, without sounding rude.  the easy and tasteful way of doing this, is by including a brief note or wishing well card in with the wedding invitations.  I sell some ready-made wishing well cards in my store.The wording on my wishing well cards that I have for sale is as follows:

To made your job easier during the busy time of planning your wedding, you may like to purchase those ready-made cards.  Alternatively, here are some wording ideas which you can use on your invitations.

These are my top budget wedding tips.  Feel free to add yours! We would love to hear your ideas!

1) Reception

Your reception takes a very large percentage of your budget.  Try to keep your guest list down to save costs. A more intimate reception with close friends and family can be lovely.   Be creative with your reception venue.  Check out local restaurants and clubs, or you may wish to hire a hall.

2) Alcohol

This is an area where you can save a lot of money. Many couples are including a cash bar at their wedding.  We provided beer, wine and soft drinks at our wedding.  Guests were then free to purchase any additional drinks that they may require.

3) Day of the Week

Often you are able to have the full trimmings for much less if you have your wedding on a day which is not a Saturday.  Alternatively, having a breakfast or a lunch reception can be a great way to save on reception expenses. You can also serve a smaller meal or finger food at these times.  Also, check the specials some venues have for the time of year.

Many people still realise that the photographs will often be your one thing you will still have for years to come (I know I don't still fit in to my wedding dress aargh!).  So it is important to have a professional photographer to capture the moments on your special day. However, for my wedding, I used my photographer at the ceremony area.  However, I saved a huge amount by not having them come to my house, or the reception after.  I asked family members to take some photographs at the reception for me though. This gave the added advantage of being able to relax and enjoy the reception without having to worry about posing for photos too.  One tip though, make sure you have a few family members taking photos of the important parts of the reception time, like cutting of the cake, first dance etc.

5) Dress

Wedding dresses can easily blow your budget.  Try finding a local dress maker who may be able to create you a unique wedding dress according to your style.  Consider whether you would prefer to hire your wedding dress.Keep an eye out for end of season sales.  Bridesmaids can buy a cocktail dress from a boutique shop.

6) Flowers

Flowers do look lovely and add to the decoration of ceremony and reception.  The flowers I chose for my wedding were lilies, I love them.  Think about the flowers you love, like mine, they can often be much cheaper than the traditional roses.  Check the month of your wedding and what flowers are in season at that time.

7) Wishing Well

Many couples are including a wishing well at their reception for guests to give a monetary gift to the happy couple.  I know when I am a guest at weddings, I often find this a lot easier than having to work out what gift to buy the couple.

8) Cake

Check with your reception venue to see whether your wedding cake can also be served as dessert.  Many cake makers are able to provide you with beautiful mud cakes of all kinds of flavours which make a lovely dessert. 

9) Transport

Scout around you family and friends to see if anyone would be willing to donate their nice cars for the day. I did pay for a stretch limo, but managed to fit my bridesmaids, and mum and dad in with me too.

10) Budget suppliers

Find suppliers like Gem's Wedding Supplies where you are able to buy accessories and decorations without breaking the bank!