30 Ways to
Save
Think you have to bust your budget to get a gorgeous wedding?
Think again.
You can afford what you want. Follow these tips to get your
dream wedding at down-to-earth prices.
- Remember that the early bird gets the worm (and
the best deals). Line up vendors as early as you can. The
best people are booked first (the average engagement is
now 14 months long, so you can never start too soon!).
- Shift the date. You'll get a better deal on a
weekday in January than you will on a Saturday in June.
The reason: vendors will be begging for your business, instead
of you begging for their time. Even switching to a Friday
night in late summer or early winter can save you cash.
- Lose an hour. People will hardly notice that you
reception is four hours long, rather than five.
- Give yourself breathing room. Most brides go over
budget. Allocate at least 10 percent of your total budget
to unforeseen costs.
- Shave the guest list of all but your best pals.
Extra guests mean extra everything.
- Pare down the party. You've got to add the cost
of another bouquet or boutonniere and gift for each additional
attendant.
- Be a savvy shopper. Don't pay big bucks for poor
service. Check out every vendor, and make sure every detail
is spelled out in contracts. Otherwise, you'll have no recourse
if things go awry. Check out our supplier site here
- Ask—you might receive. If you've found a
vendor you like, ask if they'll cut the bottom line. They
may suggest changes to the package that will decrease the
cost-or even lower the price without changing the service.
- Borrow what you can. Drink from the toasting glasses
your parents used, wear your mother's treasured pearls or
your friend's veil. You'll love the sentimental touches—and
the savings.
- Use expensive touches sparingly. Dying for fancy
linens you can't afford? Use them only on the cocktail tables
or wedding-party table-you'll get the look you want at a
much lower cost.
- Do it yourself. Assembling bouquets the night
before the wedding is not feasible, but you can make some
wedding necessities yourself at a fraction of the cost,
like programs or even a prettily decorated guest book.
- Make sure you'll meet the count. Don't guarantee
a minimum number of guests unless you're absolutely positive
you'll meet it. Otherwise, you'll pay for 175 guests, even
if only 150 show.
- Serve simple foods. Beef and seafood entrees are
the priciest, so serve an imaginative chicken or pasta.
- Confirm the "deal." Before purchasing a dress
that's a 'great buy', ask the salon to estimate the alteration
charges. It may be cheaper to buy a dress that totally suits
your taste.
- Think simple. If you're not going for the whole
cathedral-train drama, ask to see informal wedding dresses
or a bridesmaid dress in white.
- Get a band on a budget. With today's technology,
you can hire three live musicians and still have a band
without the huge price tag.
- Go with a DJ. They will almost always be cheaper
than hiring a band.
- Find a gifted amateur. Can't afford professional
photographers and musicians? Scout your local college's
music and photo departments for talented students.
- Don't buy the big package. Hire a photographer
to take formal, ceremony and family pictures. Your friends
can cover the reception with disposable cameras.
- Snap up a real talent. If you want photojournalistic
pictures, why not hire a real photojournalist from your
local paper? A staffer may be looking to make extra cash,
or they can refer you to a talented stringer.
- Go easy on the inserts. Squeeze the reception
info on your invitation to eliminate all but the most necessary
inserts. You'll cut printing costs, and save on postage.
- Toss the bouquets. Your attendants, mothers and
grandmothers can carry a single, dramatic bloom wrapped
in ribbon (calla lily, iris, etc.).
- Stay loose. Simple, loose arrangements are much
less labor-intensive—and much cheaper.
- Be flexible. If you aren't too picky about your
flowers, try a market buy. The florist finds the best bargains
the week of your wedding in your colors, and uses them for
your bouquets.
- Let the season rule your choices. Don't ask for
tulips in October, when they have to be shipped from around
the globe. Ask your florist what flowers will be in season.
- Take advantage of what's there. If the reception
site is beautiful, don't gild the lily-just add a few small
arrangements. Or, try a holiday wedding, when most sites
deck their halls for the season (you won't have to).
- Light up the night. Candles make great inexpensive
centerpieces: try a few votives on a mirror, or a bunch
of candles in different shapes and sizes massed in the center
of the table.
- Share the wealth. Split the bill for ceremony
flowers with another bride getting married that day.
- Ride in a little less luxury. If your dress will
fit, a chauffeured luxury car will be a lot cheaper than
a limo.
- Skip the favors. No one will even notice.
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