Free Stuff, Discounts, Contests

September 1, 2010 by DetroitGyrl | Filed in: Free Stuff, Discounts, Contests, The Bride's Stuff

I took a MUCH needed break from wedding planning this past August. We just had too much going on: 4 weddings (including one in Vegas), enjoying the last days of summer and gearing up for the fall. Just a few days shy of my Sept. 1st return to planning – I went out with the FMIL (future mother in law) to check out fabric stores. I have my dress but it’s a little plain. So she offered to revamp it for me and make it FABULOUS. We were able to pick up the crystals she’ll be adding, fabric for my train and fabric for my veil. I absolutely LOVE the fabric and I was able to get it 50% off at Joann’s. I’ve never been so excited about a textile in my life!

I have ONE goal for the month of September – FIND SHOES. For some reason it has been very difficult for me to make any types of decisions when it comes to the style of footwear I want on the BIG DAY. I can’t even narrow down color and style. I’ve actually been online browsing the last 4 months.. but I decided that it’s time to BUCKLE down – especially since it’s the end of the season and I’ll have to wait until next spring if I want a chance to snag a summer shoe.. and that’s a NO-GO because we need to start my dress soon and we can’t hem it without my shoe. So – every weekend in September will be devoted to finding THAT shoe. I’ll keep you posted on my shoe journey.

~DetroitGyrl

(PS. Joann’s has a magazine on sale for $2.99 – it includes 6 coupons (including 2 50% coupons) – totally worth the $2.99)

Possibly Related Posts:

Special Offer for 12k Readers on Wedding Registry

August 4, 2010 by Mrs. 12k | Filed in: Free Stuff, Discounts, Contests

So who’s your favorite Mrs. 12k?

I know I know. You flatterers.

I’ve got a deal for you. Head over to A Simpler Wedding Registry. Normally, you’d get a $50 gift certificate to a restaurant of your choice. But I got the hookup for all of you. For the next two weeks if you set up your registry there, you get a $75 gift card instead of the normal $50. Who loves you?

The Details:

Site is A Simpler Wedding Registry
Offer expires on August 18th, 2010
Use promo code 12kwedding10

Don’t say I never gave you anything

Possibly Related Posts:

I Don’t Usually Do This But…

June 28, 2010 by DetroitGyrl | Filed in: Behind the Scenes, Free Stuff, Discounts, Contests, The Bride's Stuff

The future hubby and I got all snazzy to hit the town for a hip hop concert in downtown Detroit on Saturday. I was lucky enough to win two tickets to see Jay Electronica and Slum Village from Public Media Group at St. Andrew’s Hall (or so I thought). I was the first person to respond that I wanted two free tickets. COOL!! Can’t turn down a ANYTHING free – especially during WEDDING BUDGET season. So.. I’m given the option of picking up the tickets or having my name on the list at the door. I love to have paper tickets in hand – but picking them up from Royal Oak when I live way out 94 – doesn’t seem like an option – so I opt to have my name +1 added to the list.

We get there just after 8pm, see our friends in line, have a couple laughs – The future Hubby and I haven’t been on a date in a while and haven’t been to a hip hop concert inside of the city since…. since… We looked forward to the night out. He hadn’t heard of Jay Electronica – so I hoped this would restore his faith in hip hop.

Anyway.. long story short.. get up to the window and hand the woman my license only to be told that my name is not on the list and that it was probably removed because the list was so long.. HUNH? How does that make sense?

So – I get home and e-mail Jeremy D (the guy that told me I won in the first place) about the bogusness (yes – I said bogusness) of the situation and he gives some tidbits that don’t help me: 1. the promoter swears my name is on the list 2. I need to return to the window and get my tix (yeah – that’s cute – I’m 40 minutes away now)…

Then he tells me that basically it was my fault – because I didn’t e-mail him right away from the ticket window. I’m sorry – I don’t make it a habit to carry my laptop around with me to hip hop concerts. Epic FAIL on his part for trying to blame ME in this situation. So – I suggested that from now on he leave paper tickets for winners at the door – since he knows this type of thing is an issue (another tidbit he shared with me – thanks Jeremy) :-/

Whatever… in the end – The future Hubby and I took a nice stroll through Greektown, stopped for some coldstone and thought about how nice it would be to get some wedding shots on the steps of Old St. Mary’s Church.

In other news… I went paper shopping in Royal Oak yesterday with one of my Bridesmaids who happens to be the BOMB graphic designer.. We wanted to check out Envelopments paper for my invitations and programs, etc.

I LOVE Envelopments paper – but what I DON’T love is Write Impressions. They have TONS of great paper goods and fun little gift ideas.. but customer service they do NOT! They were down right rude and inconsiderate. Which is crazy – because there weren’t that many people in the store and it was a good 20 minutes before we even asked for help. Something as small as a quote seemed to be too much for the salesgirl to handle. She didn’t even say – “I’ll be right back” when she got up to give her co-worker money for lunch.. despite the fact that I was mid sentence with a question. And she argued with me for a good minute about envelopes even when I told her to go ahead and put them on the quote – despite my lack of desire to purchase them. And then… she randomly got up to check the weather on the internet.. so we just took the half finished quote and waved goodbye while she chatted on the phone with a friend about the weather.

Needless to say – we’ll be be trying to find the Envelopments paper somewhere else.

Seriously – what is it with people?

Possibly Related Posts:

Technorati Tags: Envelopments, Jay Electronica, Old St. Mary's, Public Media Group, Write Impressions

Bride on a Budget Sale at Roma Sposa

February 18, 2010 by Mrs. 12k | Filed in: Free Stuff, Discounts, Contests, The Bride's Stuff

If you’re in the Metro Detroit area, chances are you’ve heard of Roma Sposa. It’s a couture bridal salon in Birmingham. While there’s no way I could deny that their dresses are gorgeous, I will tell you that they probably carry several gowns that cost more than our entire wedding.

But you’re in luck, my dear readers. Turns out they’re having a sale during the last weekend of this month. They’re calling it the Bride on a Budget Sales Event. There is a $5 entrance fee, but apparently it’s to benefit a charitable cause.

And get this:
Gown pricing will start at $599.

My advice is that you not go in with a single no-other-Vera-Wang-dress-will-do in mind. That’ll likely still cost you an arm, a leg, and your first born child.

Instead, go in with an open mind. Shoot, try on a dress opposite from they style you think you want for yourself. You might be pleasantly surprised. And if not, no harm done.

Possibly Related Posts:

Technorati Tags: Bridal, Bridal Gown, Dress, Wedding Dress

DIY Contest at The Bride’s Cafe

June 27, 2009 by Mrs. 12k | Filed in: DIY, Free Stuff, Discounts, Contests

I just found out about this contest over at The Bride’s Cafe. All you have to do is send in pictures and a description of your DIY project by 6/30/09. That means you have this weekend to get it done. If you win, you get:

An autographed copy of the book, Wedding Photography Unveiled
An address or monogram rubber stamp
A $50 gift certificate to Pottery Barn

So go over to Bride’s Cafe, enter, and keep your fingers crossed!

Possibly Related Posts:

Technorati Tags: Book, contest, DIY, Free Stuff, Discounts, Contests, gift certificate, monogram, project, stamp

Bridal Bargains Contest Winner

April 25, 2009 by Mrs. 12k | Filed in: Free Stuff, Discounts, Contests

Hello 12k Readers!

I’m 12k’s little (and unmarried) sister and I’m here to announce the winner of the Bridal Bargains Book Contest! I’ve seen this book first-hand and it offers a a plethora of tips and tricks to saving money for your big day. She received many responses and there was no way to choose based on the responses so we used a website Random.org that helped us in the decision-making process.

And the winner is–

Crystal!!

Thanks again for participating and continue following Ms. 12k on her quest for a 12k wedding!

Possibly Related Posts:

Bridal Bargains Book Giveaway!

April 19, 2009 by Mrs. 12k | Filed in: Free Stuff, Discounts, Contests

Now I know it’s not a set of custom letterpress invitations or a honeymoon trip to Fiji, however, I figured it’s the thought that counts.

So, here’s how it will work.

To enter, just leave a comment on this post. Doesn’t have to be anything super-inspired but here are a few suggestions:

Your comment could be about:

why you want the book
what kind of stuff you’d like to see me write about
what budget obstacles you’re facing
or anything else, as long as it’s remotely related

The contest will end Friday at 6pm ET. I’ll randomly choose a comment and that person gets the book. Easy Peasy.

Possibly Related Posts:

Technorati Tags: Bargain, Book, Bridal Bargains, Free, giveaway

DIY Wedding Challenge

March 9, 2009 by Mrs. 12k | Filed in: DIY, Free Stuff, Discounts, Contests

Heads Up!

If you’re a DIY bride or even a wannabe like me, head over to Project Wedding where they’re hosting a DIY challenge. All you have to do is create a wiki article, which is probably much easier than actually completing the project.

I know the prizes range from $250-$500. You’ll have to check their site for all the fine print though.

After you’ve created your wiki page/entry, post a link in the comments here so the rest of us can have a look-see.

Possibly Related Posts:

Technorati Tags: contest, DIY, project

Blurb Book Giveaway

July 15, 2008 by Mrs. 12k | Filed in: Free Stuff, Discounts, Contests

I don’t think I’ve told you guys about Blurb yet, but I came across it a few months ago and of course I was immediately taken. The tagline explains it best: Real Books. Made by You. They look so artistic and professional and are all listed at pretty reasonable prices. I planned on using the site sooner than later, but I hadn’t quite decided for what.

Well today, I found out that WeddingBee is giving away 3 Blurb gift certificates! So I entered (sidenote: I was entry #504) and commented that I would use my Blurb books as bridesmaids gifts. We’re all very close and have known each other for so long, what better way to document the occasion than with a bounded picture book.

Even I don’t win WeddingBee’s contest, I still plan on doing this. It’s too perfect an opportunity to pass up.

Possibly Related Posts:

Technorati Tags: Free, Idea

Look for Giveaways!

June 3, 2008 by Mrs. 12k | Filed in: Free Stuff, Discounts, Contests

Look for opportunities to enter contests for free giveaways. Often blogs or companies hold contests to give away all kinds of things.

I’ve seen:

Honeymoons
Favors
Flowers
Photography
Bridesmaid’s Gifts
Bridal Gowns
Shoes
Headpiece

Here are a few running currently

Of course there’s probably only a slim chance that you’ll win, but some chance is always better than no chance at all. So take a few minutes and enter the two contests above. And keep your eyes peeled for others. They come up every day.

Possibly Related Posts: