Categories:
A foodstuff
1. Use expensive ingredients like lobster and shrimp for hors d'oeuvre instead of the main course.
2. How dinner is served affects the price. French service and regular plate service are the most expensive options. Offer family-style dishes or buffet-style dinner to save on costs.
3. Consider breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, or a cocktail party style reception. They are smaller in length and fare lighter and less expensive. With the exception of the cocktail reception, guests drink less earlier in the day.
4. Ask your caterer for seasonal dishes. Ordering dishes that use ingredients that are not only in season will save you money, but will also be fresher and taste better.
5. Check with the caterer when the price is guaranteed. You want to make sure that the price you sign will not go up today if the price of some food items goes up.
6. Consider a signature drink or make a specialty drink (s) and serve it instead of having an open bar. The cost of having a full bar can be quite expensive.
7. Limit the choice of wine to wine and beer, both of which will satisfy most guests. Limit champagne for just the initial groom and bride toast.
8. Instead of buying wine through your reception hall or caterer, consider purchasing wine wholesale. Many companies will offer discounts when large quantities of cases are purchased. Some wines are available in Magnum sizes, reducing the cost per ounce of wine. If you decide to buy your own liquor, discuss with the caterer how much their corkage fee is; But the possibility is also with the corkage fee, you will pay a lot less than buying liquor directly through your caterer.
9. If your catering contract allows it, shop for a local baker. Your caterer may charge a cake cutting fee in this way, but you are still more likely to spend less overall. If the caterer does not allow it, skip the extra dessert option and serve only coffee and cake for dessert.
10. There are several options for saving on cake fees. You can order a small cake with a wide topper and another sheet cake to cut the cake which is cut in the kitchen for guests. Or, order just enough cake for guests, with large layers made of iced styrofoam. (No one will know the difference, and you will have a long cake for pictures!)
B. Flowers
1. While most popular bridal flowers are available year-round, some are seasonal. Talk to your florist about cost savings in in-season options. It will be extremely expensive (and possibly quite difficult to find) if you require a flower arrangement that is not in season.
2. Make your flowers double duty. Design your ceremony pieces on reception tables as well.
3. Combine economical non-floral embellishments with flowers to fill bouquets and centerpieces. Check with your florist on what is available and what looks best with your flowers.
4. Think simple If you want a wide bouquet, perhaps your bridesmaids can grab something simple - such as a single rose or some Gerber daisy tied with a simple bow.
5. Instead of arranging flowers at the reception table, the group favors in a tower at the table. With so many pretty friendly packaging options, you can certainly design a centerpiece to remember.
6. The arrangement of single pillar candles or votes adds a calm, peaceful feeling to the tables. Check with your reception hall first - some ordinances do not allow candle burning for fire safety purposes.
7. If you have a friend who has a flair for crafts and decorating, you can visit them at the local market on the day of the wedding and select seasonal flowers, and arrange them for you.
8. If you are planning to use rose petals for your wedding, consider using freeze-dried petals (they are the real thing) or high-quality silk rose petals. Either of the two options will save you money - and will last longer than fresh rose petals. Both will protect you from a possible slip and fall (real rose petals are slippery) and won't stain.
9. Do not ignore flower standbys such as carnations and deis. They are available year-round, are generally extremely inexpensive, and look beautiful when arranged in a group.
10. Flower bulbs can provide a beautiful centerpiece in a clear storm vase with stones. This is something you can do yourself with pre-planning
C. The ceremony
1. Instead of hiring a band, harpist, or string quartet to play at your ceremony, see if they allow pre-recorded music.
2. Ceremony programs are not always needed, some couples do without.
3. If you want to use a function program, print your own, or have a callgirl. Just design and print the cover and attach the internal pages yourself.
4. Check with the ceremony location what decorations (if any) they will have at the time of your wedding. Depending on the season and location - they may have decorations already in use (such as churches during the Christmas season).
5. Make your flower girl bounce silk rose petals instead of the real thing. This will save costs, be less slippery, and ease of cleaning.
6. Isle or pivot decorations are not necessary for the entire church or venue - just use them to sit for the most important guests in front of the venue.
7. Ceremony place fee. If you are not getting married in a traditional religious setting, shop for prices. Setting up a backyard or park can just be romantic and reduce costs.
8. If you are hiring an officer, get multiple estimates. If you particularly like an officer, see if you can negotiate prices.
9. Search around quotes and love poetry sites to inspire you for your vows. Instead of hiring someone to do this, write your vows.
10. See if your reception room or area can accommodate any function. You will save on transportation costs and decorations and can be transported quickly and easily from the ceremony to the reception site.
D. music
1. Instead of hiring different musicians for the ceremony and reception, see if they can accommodate both.
2. DJs can be less expensive than bands. You'll be able to have different styles of music - something that some bands can't quite mimic like a DJ.
3.See local cover bands. Although not your typical wedding band, cover bands usually perform cover songs, and may simply perform a more expensive traditional wedding band.
4. Look in the local high school or college band. You may be able to do a great search - both in price and musical style.
5. Look for DJs who are new to the market. Beginners are usually starting out with new devices such as computers and digital music devices - which hold hundreds and thousands of songs. If they don't have your songs, they can find them for you. Beginners will offer better rates than more established DJ companies.
6. Catch auditions - either pick up a lot or bid them play at your event.
7. If your reception area has the capacity - use their stereo. These days many stereos will play through dozens of CDs in a row so that the music lasts for hours. Make several CDs of recorded music and press "Play". Creating a playlist on an optional MP3 device and plugging the player into the sound device. However, some maintenance is required during your reception, so make sure that you nominate someone to handle this task.
8. Check the back of local advertisements and bridal magazines. Some companies and bands offer discounts.
9. Check-in with the reception, some have DJs or bands they work with and offer package deals.
10. Respect from friends and family. Maybe you don't know a band or DJ personally, but maybe someone you know. Ask around, you can get a referral and a friend and family price.
E. transportation
1.When hiring a limo company, check local newspapers, and magazines. Many companies offer discounts.
2. Ask if they have any wedding package. Many limo companies have standard packages that will cover the limo in a number of hours, red carpet service, champagne, and/or beverages.
3. Some companies may offer cheaper rates during off-peak seasons and on Sundays. Limo companies can often book all or most of their organs for Friday and Saturday nights, and therefore cannot offer discounted rates on those days.
4. Bentley or Horse drone abandons the cart. Make sure they are eccentric, but if you want to cut costs, these are two things you can live without.
5. If you are looking for a drink and drink, see if you can bring your wine, champagne, or liquor. Purchasing through a limo company will more than likely be more expensive than bringing your own beverages.
6. Use a personal car to and from the reception, and ask a friend to drive.
7. Do not buy a limo for the whole day. Paying a limo driver an hourly rate to wait hours is not only expensive - but also a waste of your bridal budget. Hire them to take you to the ceremony, bring you to the photoshoot location, and drop you off at the reception. If necessary, you can hire them to take them after a reception in a plain black car.
8. Before signing with a company, check the contract for their overtime rates. Make sure you stick within the purchased time frame; 15 minutes of overtime can also be expensive.
9. If you find a great price with a company that is slightly out of your area, make sure that they do not charge extra for drive time to get to and from your event before signing a contract with them.
10. Decide what kind of limo your wedding will be without going overboard. If you can go with a bigger limo then do a bigger stretch. Or it can be cheaper to fit everyone in a larger bus than to rent several small limbs.
F. Dress / Accessories / Dress
1. Borrowed goods from friends and family. It can provide you with "something borrowed"
2. Look out for your costume at designer sales, trunk shows, and outlets. Checking the sales of chain stores, vintage shops, consignment stores, and samples can also provide you with a cheaper solution.
3. Consider wearing your mother's gown. The cost of cleaning and alteration will be much cheaper than buying a new one.
4. Accessory and comparison-shop online. Chances are you'll make a good deal.
5. Consider tux rental centers, when you rent an "x" number of tuxes.
6. Unless you plan to show off your feet, consider a simple casual style under your dress. When he moves the garter no one pays much attention to your heel.
7. If your wedding is not very formal then consider bridal dresses or evening gowns.
8. If you have a design in mind, a local dresser can design something similar to fit your body perfectly without the often expensive designer label.
9. If your budget is for $ 2,000, then you might want to look for gowns priced from $ 1,000 to $ 1,200. You will need additional money for the rest of your ensemble and changes, which can be quite expensive.
10. Replica jewelry without an expensive price tag can look authentic.
G Favors / Gifts
1. Homemade favors can be just as appealing as shop-bought favors. Think candy, chocolate, soap, and candles.
2. Comparison shop online. If you see a favor or gift in a store, browse online for the item - with many retailers out there, you can get a better price.
3. Ask a talented friend to do cookies or other food favors and treats. Cookies must be baked within a week, so if you choose this route, don't make them yourself, chances are you don't have time to do it right before your big day.
4. The purchase was made a year ago. Sure you may have seen the bottle stopper before, but last year's designs may be slightly different from the same favor in a different style package marketed as "new for the season". Prices usually skip over old favors as new styles are released.
5. Discard fancy packaging. Simply and elegantly wrap your gifts or gifts on tulle, organza, or white gift-wrap.
6. Choose wedding party gifts in bulk. Perhaps you can get the same engraved picture frame for the whole party with wholesale discounts.
7. See closeout and shop in outlets. If you are looking for an item like Mikasa Crystal, see if there is an outlet store in your area.
8. Instead of giving one side per guest, consider one side per couple. However, if the side you are considering is sold as a "set", such as a coaster, give one set per pair. Set items should never be split to save costs; After all, you won't go to a store and buy a salt shaker or a coaster just for yourself.
9. Limit the bride's side. The more attendants you have, the more bridal party gifts you will need to buy.
10. Scout Free Shipping, Low Price Guarantee, Discounts, and Coupons.
H. Invitation / Stationery
1. Although invitations are the first thing your guests see, they are probably the last thing they miss. Although the invitations should look and feel good, they do not require luck.
2. Print your own invitations. Many companies sell "do-it-yourself" invitation kits at a fraction of the cost.
3. If you are getting your invitations professionally printed then go with thermography style inks - this is an effective and very popular option. Skip to engraving.
4. Some couples leave on reply envelopes - saving on both postage and invitation costs. Rather, request your guests to RSVP online, by email, or by phone.
5. Skip the save the date cards. Although quite popular these days, it is just an extra expense. Instead set up a free wedding website online and announce the date to your friends and relatives.
6. Cut your guest list. This will save in many areas - from caterers to invitation costs. Instead of inviting all your coworkers, neighbors, and children - just invite the people who mean the most to you.
7. In this digital age, most people are online. Drop the invitations all together and create an e-card.
8. Perhaps you or a friend are scrapbook enthusiasts - design and create your own invitation. You will receive a kind of invitation to the guests.
9. Browse online - Many stores work with the same printing vendors - and some are priced competitively - often saving you 25% or more off the retail price.
10. Postcard invitations are a unique way to invite guests to a destination wedding. In front, a beautiful beach photograph, on the back, details of the wedding. RSVP online or email them. You will save on printing and postage costs as the cost of a postcard is less than an envelope to mail.
Colored inks and lined envelopes can add significantly to your invitation budget. Black ink on a simple white or cream invitation can look simple, elegant, and classy.
I. Photography / Videography
1. Hire a videographer to work from the ceremony through the first dance instead of the entire wedding.
2. Instead of taking pictures at every table, place disposable wedding cameras on your reception table.
3. Consider hiring a photographer who is in his final year at art school or has recently graduated.
4. Some companies offer both photography and videography as a complete package. A package deal can save you money rather than hiring two different companies.
5. Lose print and go digital. Proof printing costs money - your photographer makes your proof available digitally, saving money
6. Visit a portrait studio to take photos of your engagement. Some major department stores offer photography service, and usually offer coupons or package deals.
7. Reduce the number of hours for which you hire the photographer. When you get your hair and nails done, instead of running them, have one of your bridesmaids do it.
8. Collect your own wedding album. Depending on the number of photographers and photos taken, you can save hundreds by putting together your own albums.
9. Choose photography packages instead of buying pictures separately. If something is included that you don't necessarily want, see if you can trade it in for something else.
10. If you have a trusted friend or relative who is good at video editing software and knows how to use a camcorder, then think about letting them take charge of the wedding video
J. General Planning Tips
1. Fridays, Sundays, and weekends are the cheapest for all services. If possible, plan your wedding on those days. Winter weddings are cheaper than in summer.
2. Talking, talking, talking. When you find the service or vendor you want, negotiate the best possible price.
3. Prioritize those aspects of marriage that are most important to you. By compromising in some areas, you can chastise others.
4. Pay the costs with a credit card that earns rewards or frequent flyer miles. Just make sure that the bill is paid in full every month. You can earn your honeymoon flight, and maybe even the hotel room, simply by using your credit card to fund your wedding.
5. Think beyond imagination. Perhaps your wedding can take place in a non-traditional setting. Try to think of places that are different but meaningful to you. Gardens, museums, parks, zoos, planetariums, aquariums, an amusement park, a 50s-style retro restaurant, even a friend's large backyard can be a potential venue.
6. In some states, for a small fee, a person can become a married person. See your personal rules.
7. Be realistic when planning a budget. If you are not receiving financial support from your family for your marriage, then look to the future as well. Is a down payment more important for a home? Have you and your fiancé been paying a big wedding loan with both for several years?
8. List all the things that you, family, or friends can do or make on their own. Perhaps most weddings can be prepared without the help of a professional.
9. If you have been married for a year or more, then start buying the item because you have extra cash.
10. If you are planning a winter wedding, shop for your accessories and other items a year before your wedding. Wedding vendors will have to make way for new season items, and you'll save some cash.
Plan early, make a list, and keep good records. By writing everything down, you'll know how much you've spent, and how much you still need.