Keeping a Tight Rein on the Purse Strings
When it comes to planning a wedding, most people have to keep a budget in mind. Whether the parents are footing the bill or the couple themselves, the days of the sky is the limit for most couples have become a thing of the past. Having a budget doesn't mean that you can't have the wedding of your dreams, it just means you have to be a little more creative to get everything you want at a price you are willing to pay.
The single most expensive piece of the wedding is thereception. How can you reduce the cost of this vital part of your wedding? You have two choices, limit the number of guests or limit the amount per guest. Only you can decide which way you want to go. Would you rather treat 75 people to prime rib or 150 people to chicken? A less expensive option is a buffet, it offers more choices and no one feels as if this is a budget wedding.
Are you planning to have an open bar? You may want to limit the cocktail hour or the type of alcohol offered. This is an area where a lot of cutting can be done and not affect the overall impression that the wedding leaves in peoples mind. Place two bottles of wine on each table, one red and one white and the guests will enjoy a glass with their meals instead of having much more expensive mixed drinks.
When it comes to favors and decorations, you can come up with lots of ideas that are very budget friendly. Get the wedding party together for a fun day of creative thinking and crafts. Go with flowers that are in season, it is much less expensive than ones that have to be shipped in.
Where will you actually get married? Will it be at the reception venue? In a church or temple? At City Hall? There will be some fees involved. Know all the requirements ahead of time so that everything goes smoothly. Churches and Temples will probably require payment in full when the ceremony is booked.
For the bride one of the most important things is the dress. If you have enough time you can watch for sales. It helps if you have an idea what type of gown you would like. You can then go to one of the dress events and fight for the dress of your dreams. You can save up to 75% off of your dress if you are willing to go to one of these sales. The most important thing is that the bride knows she has the right dress and it doesn't have to be $10,000 to be perfect.
If your mother or grandmother has their wedding dress, for the cost of getting the dress cleaned and fitted you can wear a piece of family history. This is one of the most budget friendly options.
You want to have great photos of your wedding day. Consider all of your relatives and friends. There is often an amateur photo buff in that group. Perhaps they would be willing to offer their services as their wedding gift.
There will be lots of other expenses that will pop up in relation to the wedding, limo, tuxedo, wedding rings, music and the honeymoon. Be sure to allow something in your budget for these as well.
Be willing to negotiate. In the current economy many businesses are also hurting. They may be able to work with you to keep your wedding within the budget that you have set.
This is going to be one of the most memorable days of your life. It doesn't have to be a budget breaker, it just has to be the perfect wedding for you and within your budget.
