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Media Contact: Luke Knowles, (970) 672-1136, luke@freeshipping.org
Go Frugal blog’s “Cheap Weddings” articles a must-read for soon-to-be newlyweds on a budget
[Fort Collins, CO, June 22, 2009] – Wedding bells emanate joyous sounds if you are part of the lucky couple, but the memorable day can be painful for the wallet if you are on a budget. With this in mind, FreeShipping.org’s Go Frugal blog features a section of articles designed to help you save money on the big occasion and have a wedding that you will fondly remember.
The Go Frugal blog’s “Cheap Weddings” category showcases posts written by Cara Davis, who is the author of “Cheap Ways to Tie the Knot: How to Plan a Church Wedding for Less Than $5,000.” Articles include tips on how to save money on wedding dresses, flowers, honeymoons, and the event itself among other topics.
The Go Frugal blog was created by FreeShipping.org founders Luke and Maisie Knowles last March. The blog offers valuable tips and money-saving ideas from the web's foremost deal-hunters, savvy shoppers and cost-conscious bloggers. Luke and Maisie introduced FreeShipping.org, which is a one-stop destination for online shoppers to find free shipping deals offered by more than 1,500 online retailers, in December 2007.
“With the Go Frugal blog, we’re not just giving our users more opportunities to save, but we’re also helping them make a fundamental shift towards a more frugal lifestyle - something that’s become more important than ever in the current economic climate,” Luke Knowles said. “Weddings can be a major expense, so the ‘Cheap Weddings’ articles are extremely beneficial for readers who are planning for their wedding on a budget.”
Here is an excerpt of “The Go Frugal Guide to Honeymooning on a Budget,”:
There’s nothing more rewarding after six to 12 months of meticulously planning wedding details, negotiating with vendors and trying your hardest to appease your family and your in-laws than leaving it all behind to veg out for a few days with the person you just committed to spending the rest of your life with. Don’t think of your honeymoon as a normal vacation — use it to truly unravel all the stress you’ve been feeling and to enjoy your new spouse.
Make your honeymoon last as long as you have the vacation days for, but use them wisely. Time spent recuperating and relaxing at home can be just as much or more memorable than spending the entire time in another city. And if the number one honeymoon destination is Hawaii, why not do something more original? Below are some tips for honeymoons of all shapes and sizes.
The Reason for the Season
There are three seasonal categories in the tourism and hospitality industry that will cause rates to fluctuate — high season, low season, and the shoulder season. Costs are lowest, obviously, during the low season, but there’s a reason. The weather could be horrible. The high season could carry the most favorable weather conditions, but not always. The shoulder season bridges the other two season and often has just as nice weather as the high season. Use Internet travel sites to do research about what you can expect during these time periods.
Do Not Disturb
A stay-at-home honeymoon is the least stressful way to spend your first days together as husband and wife. It can also be just as romantic. Ask your florist for a bag of extra rose petals (they often do this as a service anyway) that you can line your bed or bathtub with. Candles will set the mood, along with music, and the right foods. Often couples who do choose to stay at home get the added benefit of being able to hang out with friends and family who are still in town after the wedding. Now that the wedding day is over, you’re free to relax and be yourself again.
Book a Single Night
My husband and I spent our first night together in a four-star hotel downtown that I found a discounted rate for by booking online. The room was luxurious, and we didn’t have to travel after the wedding ceremony. We got to relax before driving to our destination the next day. If you have your heart set on a really nice hotel, consider booking just one or two nights there, then go to a hotel or resort that’s more affordable for the rest of your stay.
Another option is to find a family member or friend who has a timeshare or owns a vacation home they’ll let you use for free or at a steep discount. Instead of spending all your money budgeted on the honeymoon for accommodations, you’ll be free to splurge on eating out or local activities.
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The Go Frugal blog was created by FreeShipping.org founders Luke and Maisie Knowles last March. The blog offers valuable tips and money-saving ideas from the web's foremost deal-hunters, savvy shoppers and cost-conscious bloggers. Luke and Maisie introduced FreeShipping.org, which is a one-stop destination for online shoppers to find free shipping deals offered by more than 1,570 online retailers, in December 2007.
