How to Plan a Recession Proof Weddding
In a good or bad economy knowing how to plan for a recession-proof wedding is good knowledge to be armed with. With the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. costing about $22,500 dollars these days there is plenty of room to cut budget, deliver a great ceremony, and still keep your had above water. Not all ideas will work for everyone, but most people will find the majority of theses simple money saving tips for a wedding easy to employ and a great help to delivering the day under budget.
The first step falls on the bride and that is to cut back on the dress! It may be your fairy tale childhood dream to wear that dress that will cost more than a new vehicle, but it just isn't practical for most people. The average cost of a wedding dress in the U.S. is $1,075 according toBrides.comwhich still leaves plenty of room to trim the bill. Consider a previously owned dress, shop the sales online at places like David's Bridal, or one of the many sites catering tobudget weddings. A quick survey will show that you can get a great dress for half the cost if you plan in advance and do the leg work. No matter what you wear you will be beautiful, all brides are!
Consider setting your ceremony up during off peak times. Wedding season is considered May through October and prices for everything will be inflated during that window. Consider moving your schedule up or delaying it a little as this is a great and easy way to enjoy reduced prices almost across the board, even on the honeymoon. Unless you absolutely have to be married on a date in peak season,. aim for a fall to early spring wedding.
Don't be afraid to ask for discounts, offer trades, or barter your skills. Discounts can be had but you have to ask for them, it is easy to do and the worst anyone can say is no. If you buy a dress at a consignment shop you may have the option of cleaning out the closet at the same time to sign over to the shop to help cut the cost of your dress. It only makes sense to cash in on something you don't wear much or at all, and since you are making a purchase most shops are going to be more receptive to your offerings. Finally offer your skills to cut the costs. People have cited that they have done everything from build websites and maintain blogs, to performing yard work for everyone from clothing stores to caterers to cut the cost of purchases. Don't be afraid to ask about it, because these days people are willing to work deals out.
Cut back on the reception. late receptions with full bars, huge cakes, and full meals are a cash killer. make it a pay bar, get a smaller cake or follow the new trend of foregoing it all together and opt for cupcakes and a small store bought cake for the photos to really trim the fat. Also arrange to have your reception around brunch so you can offer appetizers and very light simple lunches. The reception alone accounts for about 45% of a weddings total cost so this is a huge area to save big money!
Finally whatever you can do yourself, do it yourself! Cut back on the fancy invitations and buy some quality cardstock to print your own out. If you can bake your own cake do it or even ask a close friend or family member to do it. Likewise almost everyone has a friend that can help tailor dresses and tuxes so get them on board too. This goes for doing your hair, makeup, nails, and all those little extras as well. A final tip is to skip the wedding favors as they really are not necessary and are slowly becoming a thing of the past anyway as people tighten their fiscal belts.
It may seem too hard to do, but follow at least a few of these tips and you will see the cost of your wedding drop significantly. Just remember the wedding is about the couple and their happiness. It is not the couples job to make it all about everyone else. Do what you can in advance to cut costs, but when the day arrives don't worry about everyone having a big meal, enough free booze, or wedding favors, let them worry about you, it is your day!
