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Wedding Money Saving Tips
Planning a wedding can get very stressful, especially
when you start adding up the seemingly unending list of
expenses. In reality most brides have a limit on their
wedding budget. Just because you may not have an
unending budget to work with doesn't mean you are
limited as to how beautiful your wedding day can be. So
how does one have it all and still have enough money
left over for a honeymoon? It may not seem possible, but
we have come up with some helpful tips to keep in mind
while planning your big day. Read on for our
suggestions.
Your
wedding dress
Rent
your wedding dress instead of purchasing one.
Buy
your dress from a consignment shop instead of getting a
new one.
Visit a bridal outlet store. You can usually find some
fantastic bargains without having to pay the full retail
price. (Look for your veil and other bridal accessories
here too.)
Make
your dress. If you have a sewing talent, use it! Or if
you have a seamstress in the family, have them make one
for you. Just remember that certain extravagant fabrics
can get costly too.
Buy
a bridesmaid's dress. This is a great alternative and
you can usually order many of the styles in white.
Borrow your wedding dress from your mom, an aunt, or a
good friend.
The
flowers
Be
sure to choose flowers that are in season and grown
locally. It will be cheaper if the flowers are easily
available to the florist.
Use
silk flowers and arrange them yourself. Keep in mind
some silk flowers can run just as expensive as the real
thing. Be a smart shopper and use the simpler variety.
Buy
from a flower wholesaler.
Choose simpler, less exotic flowers or use more of the
simpler ones in the bouquets and arrangements to help
fill them out.
Avoid having your wedding on or near a holiday. Flower
prices will be more expensive at these times.
Try
minimizing the amount of flowers and greenery you use at
the ceremony. You could save money by eliminating the
use of arrangements at the end of the pews.
Reception site
Rent
the parish hall or community center. This will be much
cheaper than a banquet facility.
Call your local parks and recreation department. Many
parks have a community center for public use at a
reasonable price (and a beautiful setting).
A small reception could take place at a family member's
home. Or if someone you know has a beautiful spacious
backyard, you could have your reception outside (weather
permitting of course!). Just keep in mind the fees for
renting tables, chairs, etc.
Look in the phonebook for facilities used by the local
community service groups or clubs (Lions, Elks, Kiwanis,
etc).
The
food
Have
family members prepare the food for the reception.
Buy trays of prepared food from one of the local grocery
stores. Be sure to buy extra trays to have on stock in
case the food should run low.
Have a cake, punch, and champagne reception instead of
having a lunch or dinner reception. Remember to plan the
reception at the appropriate time of day so that the
guests will not be expecting a meal. Late afternoon is
best.
Choose a simple buffet instead of having a sit down
dinner.
If having a sit down dinner, choose less extravagant
entrees. Chicken will be cheaper than beef or seafood
dishes.
Remember that having a fancy hors d'oeuvres reception
can be just as expensive as a full meal. Keep the hors
d'oeuvre's menu simple.
Photography
Find a
reasonable wedding photographer and book your date with
them as far in advance as possible.
Visit bridal shows and preview all of the albums the
photographers have out on display and get referrals from
other Brides before making a decision.
Buy some disposable cameras and place them at each table
at the reception. You can use these pictures to fill out
your album, and the guests will have a lot of fun taking
the snapshots.
Music
Hire a
student musician. Check with the local colleges and
universities.
Use a Wedding DJ rather than a live band. (Be sure to
discuss all details with the DJ before the wedding day.)
If there is a musician in the family, have them sing or
play music at the ceremony as their gift to the both of
you.
Hire a smaller band or fewer musicians. Fewer band
members will be less expensive.
Be sure to reserve your date with any music professional
far in advance. You should get the best rate this way.
Invitations
Buy
thermo-graphed invitations rather than engraved.
Buy your invitations through a mail order catalog
instead of going through a stationery store. The prices
in these catalogs are hard to beat and there are many of
these catalogs to choose from.
Order through a discount printing service.
Stay on the simpler side when ordering invitations
(eliminate getting lined envelopes or other fancy
embellishments).
Skip ordering the reception cards and have the reception
information printed on the bottom of the invitation (in
smaller print). This could save you a lot of money.
Honeymoon
Choose
a less expensive weekend getaway instead of a week or
two-week trip.
If you live in a coastal state, plan a trip up or down
the coast and scout out some reasonable Bed and
Breakfasts to lodge at. Reserve the rooms far in
advance.
If you
both enjoy the outdoors you could plan a camping,
hiking, or rafting trip.
Planning on taking a cruise? Look for an all-inclusive
package to get the best deal.
Look for package deals when honeymooning to Hawaii,
Tahiti, etc. You can find some great deals this way.
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