27-year-old Fenni Wang is unlike any other bride-to-be.
The online entrepreneur is hoping to get everything needed for her wedding, second-hand.
While most brides would spare no expense in getting brand-new items for their all-important wedding day, Ms Wang is happy to receive hand-me-downs.
In an interview with Shin Min Daily News, Ms Wang shared that she has already collected a few accessories she can use for her impending wedding in November.
These include an ang pow box, a pink feathery pen, a box of rose-shaped soap, a brooch, and some pink crystals.
They were all given to her by other former brides, after she posted notices online requesting for items that they no longer had any use for.
Ms Wang says although some of the items she received are old and slightly damaged, it was nothing some DIY handiwork couldn't fix.
For example, the white ang pow box she received had a few scratches, but after decorating it with some pearls and ribbons, it now looks as good as new.
Ms Wang says although weddings are once-in-a-lifetime, she does not see the need to waste money in buying items that you will use only once.
She hopes to receive more hand-me-downs from former brides, and says she will be happy to return them when her wedding is over.
Her money-saving methods even extend to forgoing the usual pre-wedding photoshoot that many bridal couples easily splurge more than a few thousand dollars on.
Ms Wang revealed she felt the photoshoot was a waste of money as most couples end up keeping the albums in "cold storage" after the wedding.
Instead, she says she will set aside two hours on her wedding day for the photographer to take a few posed shots.
Ms Wang reasons that a bride is supposed to be the most beautiful on their wedding day anyway.
When it comes to the all-important wedding ring, Ms Wang has also gone against the grain, rejecting a diamond ring for a simple gold band that costs $300.
Ms Wang says based on what everyone has told her, the "market rate" for a diamond wedding ring is supposed to be at least two months of a man's salary.
Based on her fiance's income, that would be able to net her a 5-carat diamond ring, she says. But after doing some research, the former civil servant says she realised diamonds do not hold their value as much as gold, and opted for a simple band instead.
She reckons she has saved about $15,000, just from the ring alone.
Including the amount saved on the photoshoot and accessories, she estimates the savings come close to $20,000.
But she is still on the look-out for other items that she needs, these include:
- Five bridesmaids' dresses
- Five groomsmen suits
- Two baskets (for the flower girl and page boy)
- One bridal bouquet
- One umbrella (used to shelter the bride from her home)
- Props for photoshoot
Ms Wang says she and her fiance are all for thriftiness and 'green' living, a cause she firmly believes in.
She even left her job in June last year to set up an online peer-to-peer renting portal, renttycoons.com.
The site, with the tagline "make money, save money, and be green", offers a multitude of items for rent.
The most interesting "to rent" and "for rent" notices on the site?
One person paid more than $100 to rent 80 wooden clothes hangers for a week, while another wanted to rent two ovens for a day, says Ms Wang.
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