Wedding Savers: Ways to Budget Your Dream Wedding
You’ve been dreaming of the perfect wedding since you were a little girl. However, the planning and spending involved is not so dreamy. So here are some great ideas to help bring out the savvy shopping bride in you.
THE WEDDING VENUE often dictates the budget you will have to work with, so take advantage of our helpful tips for making that first important decision.
-Have your wedding in the off-season. Off-season is between November and April. January through March are good months, but try to avoid a date near Valentine’s Day because flower prices increase.
-Choose a date near holidays like Christmas or Easter since many places will already be decorated.
-Choose any day but Saturday. Weekdays, Friday evenings and Sundays are less expensive than Saturdays. If you do celebrate on a Saturday, try a morning or early afternoon ceremony.
-Choose an already decorated venue such as a garden or restaurant.
-Use the same site for the ceremony and reception.
WEDDING ATTIRE is one of the most important aspects of a wedding. Here are some things to consider when choosing the perfect ensemble.
-Choose a white bridesmaid dress instead of a bridal gown — and don’t feel like you’re compromising style to save a few dollars. If you find that simply perfect, white, silky smooth, A-line dress on the bridesmaid rack, who’s judging? No one will ever know.
-Rent wedding attire. This inexpensive option still yields a beautiful wedding and your wedding party doesn’t have to worry about their ensemble hanging in the closet for years to come.
FOOD and DRINKS will undoubtedly be one of the largest wedding costs. Here’s how to shave a few dollars off:
-Consider an alternative to the full evening meal. Cocktail parties, brunches, tea parties and lunch receptions are all less expensive than a full evening meal — not to mention the liquor bill will be considerably lower.
-Try a potluck as a fun way to involve guests in the wedding as well as provide an inexpensive and tasty meal.
-Don’t assume a buffet is a bargain. It can cost just as much to keep the buffet full as it does to serve a traditional meal.
-Use a small cake for display and buy a sheet cake to serve your guests.
DECORATIONS can take a huge chunk of your wedding budget so take a look at these useful ideas.
-Use flowers from the ceremony at the reception. Just be sure to ask someone to be in charge of moving them.
-Choose one type of flower, and save money on less arrangement time.
-Do your own flowers, but only if you are dedicated to this often daunting task.
-Choose in season flowers.
-Use candles instead of flowers. Votive candles are less expensive than flowers and set a romantic tone for the wedding.
MISCELLANEOUS TIPS
-Look to cosmetology schools or students for discounted hair and makeup appointments.
-Check out culinary art schools for inexpensive cakes.
-Use a credit card with benefits for all wedding purchases and build up frequent flyer miles for your honeymoon.
-Put some or all of your wedding budget into a 12 month CD. $5,000 in one year will yield an extra $500.
-Hire a photographer for just the ceremony and early reception.
by Shanna A. Zuelch
