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Sunday, May 20, 2012
Sixpence...And None the Richer:
My list of Do’s and Don’ts on how to save money for your wedding
Do enlist the help of close family members such as parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles when it comes to financing the Big Day. Don’t take out a loan! Your wedding is going to be a day that you will remember the rest of your life, but that doesn’t mean that you should be paying for it the rest of your life.
Do hire a wedding planner or wedding coordinator. Don’t try to do everything yourself! It is a common misconception that wedding planners and coordinators are a needless expense. Wedding planners are in the business of recommending vendors. They can also provide you with “hook-ups” from their preferred vendors due to pre-established business relationships.
Do buy flowers that are in season. Don’t be stuck on certain types of flowers! Not only will in-season flowers hold up more during your wedding, but they will cost a whole lot less to buy. Also, talk to your florist about your vision and the colors you want to incorporate. He or she can suggest something to compliment your vision without costing you a hefty penny.
Do order a small two-tier wedding cake and serve guests a sheet cake. Don’t order a monstrous sized cake that can feed an army! You will be able to afford a more creative looking cake because it won’t be priced per slice. Plus you won’t have to pay your venue a cake-cutting fee. If you still want that four-tier cake…no worries. Ask your venue if they have a baker on-site as opposed to locating an outside-baker.
Do try to get a venue that’s a one-stop-shot. Don’t space out your venues too far apart! It can be very helpful when your venue doubles as both the ceremony and reception location. This not only cuts travel time for your guests but also for your vendors that might be charging you by the hour.
Do substitute greenery and non-floral centerpieces for floral arrangements. Don’t try to compete with David Tutera! While skyscraping floral centerpieces can be very impactful at first glance it’ll cost you a sky-high amount. Something else to consider is that they can become obtrusive for guests trying to converse with each other from across the table.
Use Do-it-yourself details. Don’t just buy every item because it’s name-brand! From start to finish, there are always ways to make items yourself. For example, you can make your own wedding invitations along with other stationery for the wedding. Just because you are doing it yourself doesn’t mean that you are sacrificing style. Handmade invitations are unique and can be created on your computer and by using some scrapbooking supplies. To take some more stress away from yourself, think about dividing those projects among your bridal party.
Do opt for a Friday or Sunday wedding. Weddings Don’t have to only be on Saturday evenings! A Friday wedding is really fun because guests are sure to stay and party the entire time of your wedding since they can just sleep in on Saturday. On Sundays, wedding venues and vendors often offer big discounts. Also, if you plan to fly out on your honeymoon the next morning, a Monday flight will definitely be cheaper than a weekend flight. If you still want to have a Saturday wedding, then try having it during an off-peak season. No matter what day of the week you plan to get hitched, make sure your date doesn’t fall on a holiday weekend because many guests may already have plans.
Do limit your guest count. Don’t invite everyone you say hi to! This is a special time that you want to share with everyone, but that shouldn’t be taken literally. My rule of thumb is to take off guests that you haven’t seen or heard from in a year or two. Why should you pay for someone that you don’t speak to? If those particular guests were invited by your parents, ask your parents if they wouldn’t mind paying for them. Also, you don’t have to offer a plus one to every guest on your list. However, you should allow a plus one if your guest is married, engaged, or doesn’t know anyone else at the wedding.
Do an À la carte menu. Don’t be fooled by the company’s website or information pamphlet! An À la carte menu is a menu of items that are priced and ordered separately. Many companies will come up with packages that sound great and make you think that you are getting the most for your money. These packages are helpful sometimes, but are often filled with unnecessary items as a way for the company to keep the price high. Try to negotiate with the vendor. For instance, instead of the photographer’s package of eight hours coverage, ask the photographer for a discount for reducing to six hours. Sometimes vendors will be willing to work with you on this and other times they may not, but it is worth a try.
Do serve beer and wine versus an open bar. Don’t nix liquor altogether or make your guests pay for their drinks! Yes, you are footing the bill, but your guests have shelled out a few bucks here and there too. Whether guests are traveling from around the corner or across the country, they have paid for traveling arrangements, a gift, and their outfit. They want to relax, have a good time, and not feel slighted by having a cash bar or no liquor altogether. You and your future spouse may not be big drinkers but you aren’t the only ones at the wedding.
Do get creative. Don’t be stuffy! Think about who the two of you are as a couple and what the theme of your wedding will be. Maybe you are going for a vintage-themed wedding. In that case, search through the attics of older relatives and see what items they have around that you can use. No matter what theme or season of your wedding, make sure to keep your mind open. Always think, “What can I substitute that with?” or “Maybe I can find that someplace else for less!” Also, try to attend bridal expos because they usually give away prizes. You never know what you might win.
Most importantly…Do take a deep breath and Don’t stress!