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• Delta naturalist opens watery world to public

• Longtime Lodi teacher Guy Wakefield set to be inducted into Lodi Hall of Fame

• Woodbridge to host first Olde Towne Stroll on Sept. 7

• Lincoln woman killed on Highway 12 near Flag City

• Regional Roundup

• Public Meetings

November 2nd, 2009

• Deputies name suspect in fatal Acampo shooting

November 7th, 2009

• Lodi High graduate was at Fort Hood

• Lining up for flu shots in Lodi

• Tour packs buses as birdwatchers admire Sandhill cranes

• City of Lodi staff looking into possibility of limiting number of taco trucks

• Daytime thieves targeting Lodi homes

• Lodi High School rally featured on 'Good Day Sacramento'

• Out of control

• Homicide suspect Anthony Hubbard arraigned

• Regional Roundup

• New Lodi Memorial rule to combat spread of H1N1: Visitors must be older than 16

November 6th, 2009

• Short sales make up nearly half of Lodi market

• Regional Roundup

• Lodi man accused of smuggling drugs, weapons for inmates at state prison

• 'I-5 Strangler' sentenced to 6 terms of life

• Jury convicts Acampo man of torture, assault of his girlfriend

• Young girl is 200,000th person to assemble AIDS, HIV care kit

• Woman in wheelchair struck by car

November 5th, 2009

• A lower Lodi Lake

• Streetside scarecrows

• San Joaquin County considers moratorium on new Williamson Act contracts

• Speakers address Lodi Unified School District budget shortfalls, plea to keep programs

• Armed robbers still targeting Lodi shops

• Regional Roundup

• California voters have final say over $11 billion water bond

• Weekend bus service to continue until Lodi City Council makes decision

• Paul Tebbel shines spotlight on sandhill cranes

• Your complete guide to Sandhill Crane Festival

• David Diskin is first to give an invocation under new city of Lodi policy

• Man wanted in Acampo homicide gives up to San Joaquin County Sheriff's detectives

November 4th, 2009

• Candle fire

• Rep. Jerry McNerney sets telephone town hall for Thursday

• Jason Behrmann is unanimously named Galt's city manager

• Regional Roundup

• Galt City Council argues over ordinance hiring residents

• San Joaquin County sues state over prison hospital planned for Stockton

• Big win for Allen Baroni in reclamation election

• California sends Democratic loyalist John Garamendi to Congress

• Bicycling father raising awareness of teen suicide

• Lodi City Council weighs raising fares to restore some bus service

November 3rd, 2009

• 500 attend service for Kyle Coumas

• Correction

• Galt considers ordinance that would require city contractors to hire locally

• Regional Roundup

• Have you seen a missing guide dog puppy in Lodi?

• Galt man dies after weekend Highway 12 crash

• Jason Behrmann is top candidate for Galt city manager

• Deputies name suspect in fatal Acampo shooting

• Clarification

November 2nd, 2009

• Downtown Lodi trick or treat

• Public Meetings

• Correction

• Kyle Coumas funeral today

• 27-year-old man shot to death Saturday night in front of Acampo home

• Regional Roundup

• Group investigates reports of haunting

• Sandhill Cranes Festival comes to Lodi next weekend

• Lamborghini lovers gather for show, fine wine, luncheon in Woodbridge

• Lodi's 'Biggest Loser' Christy Richesin runs 5K Halloween race

The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.

• Bible is entwined with American civic life (135)
• I predict: A conservative tide will rise in 2010 (73)
• David Diskin is first to give an invocation under new city of Lodi policy (70)
• The Treaty of Tripoli hoax (60)
• Universal health care solves big problems (54)
• Here's what my father knew about the assassination of JFK (35)
• Stuck in neutral? Hardly! (35)
• Words from our forefathers (27)
• City of Lodi staff looking into possibility of limiting number of taco trucks (24)
• Majority cannot deprive the minority (23)

ADVERTISEMENT

Vowing to save

Do you know how to get a tux for free? Or how to save on rings? Or how to get more photos for your buck? Learn how to shop smart when planning your perfect Lodi wedding.

Weddings can become very expensive, very fast.

But they don't have to.

Lodi bride-to-be Marissa Jacobo found a way around steep prices, and is happier with a smaller bill.

Jacobo, 18, decided to downsize her estimated $15,000 wedding to a simple $5,000 ceremony in Tahoe with a reception a week later.

She and her fiancé, Jose Cervantez, felt the smaller wedding kept the focus on their love — not the festivities.

"The wedding is more about the couple than the decorations. The fact that we are going to be married to each other is more important," Jacobo said.

She added that she first wanted to have a large, princess-like wedding, but as soon as estimates started adding up, she realized that big was not better. So, she downsized her plans.

Jacobo and other brides-to-be quickly learn that weddings can be expensive with so many items involved: food, reception hall, dress, ring — the list goes on and on.

However, local business owners and wedding consultants have a few inside tips for those looking to save money while planning their special day.

Contact Natalie Flynn at natalief@lodinews.com

Classic tuxedos are for rent at Tuxedos of Lodi. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

Tuxedos

According to Peter Westbrook, owner of Tuxedos of Lodi, there are multiple ways to save money when it comes to tuxedo rentals. Tuxedos at his store range from $54.95 for the most basic to $139.95 for the most elaborate.

• Often, the more people involved in the wedding, the less expensive tuxedos will be, and more discounts will be available.

• Choose a classic style, as often the traditional style tuxedos are less expensive.

• Have an idea in mind when going to the store. However, work with the provider and remain flexible. You may find something better than you had anticipated, and for less money.

• Some may think that going with a large tuxedo chain is more economical, but the smaller stores specialize in working with individuals to help them find the best deals.

• Go to bridal shows, as tuxedo companies will often discount or even rent you a tuxedo for free if you attend a show.

— Source: Peter Westbrook, owner, Tuxedos of Lodi.

Sandra Gonzalez looks over a sample wedding dress at Gonzalez Bridal Boutique. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

The Dress

It is often said that the wedding dress is the center of the wedding, and the rest revolves around the bride's choice. However, aside from the ring, the dress is often the most expensive part of getting married.

But, Sandra Gonzalez, co-owner of Gonzalez Bridal Boutique, said it doesn't have to be.

"There is something for everybody and for every budget," Gonzalez said.

She recommends finding a sample dress that has been on display or was new the previous year.

That way, she said, you get the dress you love for an unbeatable price.

Also, Gonzalez said to plan ahead of time. She feels the wedding should revolve around the dress, so it is important to have your dress about eight to 12 months beforehand.

But in the end, Gonzalez said there is one important thing to keep in mind.

"Be prepared to shop," Gonzalez said. "Look at the style, and come with ideas."

Sharon Borelli shows a white gold engagment ring at Borelli Jewelry in Lodi. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

Rings

When it comes to rings, you are going to pay what you want to pay, said Sharon Borelli, of Borelli Jewelers. However, there are some ways to have the beautiful ring without the hefty price.

Borelli said the price of platinum has gone up, so it is almost $2,000 an ounce. So, many couples are choosing an alternative: white gold.

White gold looks similar to platinum. However, Borelli said it wears different, so it is up to the buyer.

"(The price of) gold is up high, but platinum is up even higher," Borelli said.

General money-saving tips

• Have a wedding planner. They will help save money in the long run.

• Try to have as many things play a dual purpose as possible. Cakes can be centerpieces, and colored linens can reduce the need for elaborate table decorations.

• Look through photos and magazines for ideas.

• Decide what type of food you want. Dessertor buffet-style receptions instead of a formal sit-down dinner will save money and may end up being more fun.

• Try different ways to tell people about the wedding besides standard invitations. Ideas include "save-the-date" magnets or postcards.

• Know exactly how much you are willing to spend, and have ideas about how much money you are OK with setting aside for specific parts of the wedding.

• Remain flexible. Money saved in one place will give you more spending power in another.

— Source: Lisa Hegdahl, owner, Tender Loving Care Weddings.

Photography

Photos of the special day, along with all the other expenses, can add up pretty quick. But Ed James, owner of Budget Wedding Photography, has a solution.

"Don't have the photographer stay for the reception," James said. "Move on with life; everybody has a digital camera these days anyway."

According to http://www.do-it-yourself-weddings.com, other ways to cut back on photography costs include asking a local community college photo instructor if they have any students interested in earning extra money.

Another tip the Web site offers is to place an advertisement on Craigslist, or pass out disposable cameras to guests to take photos for you.

Jennifer Silveria touches up a centerpiece that could be sold for weddings at her floral shop, The Flower Basket. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

Flowers

If you know your color scheme and are willing to work with florists, you may end up saving money. Cinda Cody-Coffey, owner of Village Flowers and Gifts, offered some tips for saving money when it comes to shopping for flowers:

• Let the florist work with your color scheme.

• Allow the florist to choose what flowers to use. As long as the same colors are used, your arrangements will essentially look the same.

• If you are planning on decorating with flowers, consider using a few large arrangements instead of multiple medium-sized ones. This will help give the area the feel of being completely decorated, but save you money in the long run.

• Don't worry about decorating the aisle with flowers. After the bride walks down the aisle, the little arrangements will soon be forgotten. Instead, focus on decorating the altar area, because that will be where everyone's attention is directed for the majority of the time.

— Source: Cinda Cody-Coffey, owner, Village Flowers and Gifts.

Limousines

Like all costs, limousines will take a large chunk out of the total wedding budget. However, there are some cost-saving tips out there that may make the trip in the long car more feasible.

• If you are trying to accommodate a large wedding party, decide who will use the limousine when. That way, only one will be needed, reducing transportation costs.

• First, have just the bride and bridesmaids go from home to the church.

• After the ceremony, just the bride, groom and honored attendants can go to the reception in the limousine, eliminating the need for two limos.

— Source: Stephanie Schneider, co-owner, Vintage Limo Service.

The Merlot is a banquet hall in Lodi that it is used for weddings. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)

Reception halls

If you are looking to save money on reception halls, Greg Soligan, owner of the Merlot Hall in Downtown Lodi, said to simply ask how.

"Ask if there is a deal," Soligan said. "If you don't ask, you'll never know."

Soligan said that April and May are the most common wedding months. If you schedule in January, February or March, you may end up saving money.

However, Soligan said some reception halls will charge extra for tables, chairs and linens. So, finding a hall that provides eating areas will also save money in the long run, Soligan said.

Money-saving Web sites

There are multiple Web sites and blogs written about how to save money while planning your wedding. Here are a few:

• http://www.wedfrugal.com

• http://www.frugalbride.com/frugalhintstips.html

• http://www.weddingyellow.com/budget