Round Up: Our Favorite Budget Wedding Planning Tips

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Consider Wedding Packages

Believe us or not, a wedding package can save you a lot of cash. As they include everything from venue and food to host and the decorations, they come out to be much affordable than buying individual items. Moreover, it will take away a lot of efforts that you need to put in when finding things for the venue. The best part? Wedding packages can be customized to your need and the theme.

Buy In-Season Flowers

Wedding flowers can easily run you up in thousands. To cut costs, make sure to order the ones that are in-season. Not only will it help you save money but will also be beneficial for the mother earth as blooms that are seasonal can be sourced locally helping to keep the transportation emissions low. Also, if your creativity allows, order loose stems and consider making the arrangements by yourself. Trust us; it’s not as difficult as it sounds. Alternatively, you can order flowers online at much cheaper prices instead of a traditional florist.

Trim Your Guest List

One of the easiest ways to cut your budget is by trimming your guest list. We agree that wedding is a celebration, but it’s also a very intimate moment. When budget is a concern, stick to a guest list that doesn’t go beyond immediate family and closet of friends. Not only will it help you save tons of cash, but you will also end up spending this meaningful day with those you value the most.

Choose an Off-season Date

Weddings can be celebrated at any time of the year, but if you plan your big day choose off-season wedding date the savings can be significant. During off-season the wedding vendors hunger for business. This provides couples an opportunity to negotiate better pricing and save significantly.

A budget wedding does not mean you have to skimp on style. All it requires is a little imagination, creativity, and of course cutting on those extras. Let us know what’s your take on planning a memorable evening without going overboard?

Fore more budget wedding tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Are your furnishings sabotaging your home-selling efforts? Before lowering the price of your home, you should evaluate whether improper (or no) staging could be turning prospective buyers off. In a 2010 study by the Real Estate Staging Association, homes that were staged spent an average of 67% less time on the market than unstaged homes. Whether your home is vacant and decorated with little more than a “for sale” sign or is occupied, try these 5 staging secrets for an edge over the competition:

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1. Get Inspired

While hiring a professional has generally proven to have a good return on investment (586% according to one report by HomeGain), cash-strapped sellers may not be able to make that initial investment. To get educated and inspired for ways to stage a home yourself, visit other staged homes during open houses (often higher-priced homes will have professional staging) or even furniture stores for ideas on room arrangement and modern decorating. Actually visiting the space will give you a better sense of the impact good staging has, but articles and photographs can provide helpful insight as well.

2. Make It Their Home By Clearing Personal Clutter

Homebuyers have a hard time envisioning the potential of a space, and it gets even more difficult when the home has overwhelming evidence of other inhabitants. If you only do one thing while preparing your home, get rid of any clutter or personal artifacts. That means family photographs and sentimental knickknacks in living spaces, appliances on kitchen countertops, and bathroom toiletries, for a start. Don’t forget about closets and garages, where extra space is a big selling point. By creating a more “generic” environment, buyers can better visualize the home’s potential for their own use.

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3. Bathroom Upgrade on a Budget

You don’t have to break the bank to give your bathroom new life. Rather than replacing those outdated-looking tiles, consider having them professionally painted, which can be more cost-efficient than a total redo. Dull and grimy faucets and other fixtures instantly grab attention, so be sure to give these a thorough cleaning and polishing. If they are decades old, consider upgrading them to sleek, modern fixtures — many are less than $100. Make small bathrooms appear larger by replacing a bulky vanity with a classy pedestal sink (these can be purchased for under $200). If storage is an issue, consider an over-the-toilet cabinet to nip those concerns in the bud.

4. Set the Mood with Light and Texture

Give instant warmth and appeal using visual elements like light, fabrics, and color. Make living spaces feel more inviting and warm with lamps, which can be found in garage sales and upgraded inexpensively with modern lampshades. Since color can be overwhelming, it’s best to paint the walls in warm, neutral tones and add pops of color with subtle decorative elements. Throw pillows and window treatments provide a great medium for adding color, while providing a visually soft and homey texture. For contrast, add flower arrangements, wooden bowls, and other classy decorative elements that will heighten your home’s visual appeal.

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5. Smell Sells

It’s a well-known fact that smell evokes strong emotional reactions and is tied to memories. Smells of mildew, smoke, animals, or even bleach could put your visitors in a negative mood the moment they walk in the door, putting your home at an immediate disadvantage. Conversely, smells of fresh baked cookies or bread can have strong positive influence on visitors. To give your home the best scent edge, tackle any issues that could be causing odor — dirty carpet that needs to be shampooed, pets that need to stay with a friend for awhile…you get the idea. Then, keep a stock of “comfort treats” — rolls, cookies, etc. — in the freezer so you can pop them in with little notice or cleanup. Alternatively, you can use candles or oils to scent your home, just keep it light and general (like vanilla)to avoid overwhelming potential buyers.

After only two years as a realtor at Smith Mountain Lake, Paul Moore achieved the Diamond Award, the highest sales level for a Roanoke Valley/Smith Mountain Lake VA realty agent. Through applying principles of direct response marketing and Internet technology, his Smith Mountain Homes Team has sold tens of millions of dollars of SML real estate and has continued to expand during a generally contracting market of the past several years.

For more home staging ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

The exterior of your house is the first thing to make an impression on your guests or passerby’s, and as the expression goes, you only get one chance to make a great first impression. Whether you are thinking about putting your house on the market, or simply wish to keep it in tip-top shape, check out these tips on how to maximize your home’s ‘curb appeal’:

Image via: Houzz

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Landscaping:

Who doesn’t love beautiful flowers, bushes, and trees? However, when not properly cared for, plants can become overgrown and unruly. Make sure you are pulling weeds and inspecting your landscaping for damage and disease. Replace dead or dying bushes and trees, and keep your lawn looking fresh by watering and mowing it regularly.

Sidewalk and Driveway:

Sidewalks and driveways are prone to weather related damage and wear-and-tear, such as cracks. If you have an asphalt driveway, be sure to seal it every year to three years. Sweep them and keep them clear of debris.

Image via: Larry Boerder

Siding and Roof:

According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, homeowners should be inspecting their roof and siding twice a year: in spring and in fall. The summer sun or winter snows can do a number to your property, so you want to keep an eye out for the following: torn, cracked, or missing roof shingles; loose materials; and warped or peeling siding. If your roof or siding is in need of repair, hire a contractor to assess the damage and update or replace it.

Front Door:

Your front door is more than just simply a door. It’s the main passageway a guest approaches and sees as they step into one of the most intimate places they can be invited: your home. You want your door to be clean, unique, and inviting. Whether modern or traditional, your front door makes a statement about you, and says a lot about your home. If your door is deteriorating, consider replacing it. A beautiful door will do wonders for the exterior of your house.

Image via: Hgtv

Power Home Remodeling Group (PHRG) has provided families with energy saving solutions for their home improvement needs for more than twenty years. Whether your home needs new doors, windows, roofing, siding, or gutters, the PHRG professionals offer you superior products and services.

For more outdoor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.