Yes, You Can Plan A Wedding During Tough Economic Times!
Yes, You CAN Plan a Wedding During Tough Economic times!
Planning a wedding during hard economic times presents challenges for the couple trying
to host their wedding. It can be done with careful planning and some work. But then again,
all weddings involve work, this just takes some ingenuity and though.
Money is tight for everyone, including your wedding vendors. Its hard economic times for
everyone. You may be able to score a good deal from vendors looking to keep their
employees working during slow economic times. Do not hesitate to ask your vendors
if this is their best price. All they can say is no.
Have the wedding you can afford! If you cannot afford a big fairytale wedding, scale it
down until it becomes affordable. If you just have to have a fairytale wedding, give the
illusion without the expense.
Consider having your wedding on a day other than Saturday. Friday or Sunday weddings
are still on a weekend, but a lot less expensive since halls and venues book up on a Saturday
at a premium price.
Budget, and budget realistically for your wedding. Stay within budget without going over
and do not go into debt for your wedding Do not get talked into taking out a loan for your
wedding. If you save money in one category, roll the extra money into a category that
matters to you. For example, if you save money on invitations, take the savings and put i
t towards the reception or your wedding dress.
Keep the guest list manageable. The more guests you invite, the more you will spend.
Prune the guest list until you come up with a guest list that is affordable.
Cut the frills out of the wedding. You can cut chair covers, expensive favors and engraved
invitations. You can buy or make inexpensive favors and use regular printing on invitations
to save you money. You will have the same look at less expense. Cut the desert bar,
the appetizers and the champagne fountain from the reception. Use the wedding cake for
desert, serve chips and pretzels to your guests before the dinner is served.
An open bar because alcohol will eat up a lot of your wedding budget. A cash bar is tacky
and your guests should not have to pay for anything at your reception. Instead, serve
beer out of a keg or put bottles of good but inexpensive wine at the tables. You can have
a spiked punch for your guests if you just have to serve alcohol.
Consider self catering your reception. Self catering does not mean you have to cook yourself.
Grocery stores and restaurants sell cooked chicken in bulk. You can find stores that sell in
bulk quantity for large groups and purchase the precooked food there. Hire some of the
lunch ladies from the local school to heat it up and serve it if your reception hall has a
kitchen. Party rental stores rent the serving trays and covers. Buy paper plates, glasses
and dinner ware in bulk and you have a decent dinner at a fraction of the price of hiring
a caterer. This involves some work and cooperation from family members, but it can be
done. You do not need to serve three meats, most guests are just
happy to have something to eat. Consider a menu of chicken with a rigatoni, cheesy potato
casserole, green beans, salad and dinner rolls. Good, filling, easy and inexpensive.
Shop for your wedding dress during the slow months of October, November and December.
Bridal salons have the best sales during this time of year because manufacturers discontinue
styles and next years new merchandise is arriving. The salons need to clear their racks.
You can find a dress for hundreds of dollars less than you would normally pay. Do not be
afraid to tell them your budget or ask them if this is the best price they would accept.
They may throw in some freebies to get your sale. Ask them nicely if you pay cash will
they give you a free veil or tiara. You may be pleasantly surprised. And don't forget
eBay for your wedding dress. eBay has many wedding dress
closeouts that are brand new and are way below wholesale cost.
Considering renting reception centerpieces and decorations. You can sometimes rent for less
money than making them yourself. If you decide to make them yourself, make sure you have
the skills and time to finish them. You can also decorate with live green plants instead of
expensive floral arrangements. Some florists will rent them to you and set them up. Or buy
them from a greenhouse and use them in your new home.
Save money on your invitations by surfing the internet. It is sometimes less costly to buy
them online rather than printing them yourself. The simpler the invitation, the less the cost.
Have your reception printed as a footnote instead of having reception cards. Remember
to budget for postage on both the invitation and the response cards. Bows, oversize cards
and other enclosures will increase the price of postage. Here are some great invitations
for 61 cents each, that's less money than if you printed them yourself! Scroll down to see
them all.
Hire the best photographer you can afford. Wedding pictures are priceless and irreplaceable.
Buy a less expensive package or ask if you can upgrade after the wedding to purchase
additional pictures when funds are available. Fewer quality pictures are better than
hundreds of off center or blurred photos.
Save for the wedding by forgoing Starbucks, eating out and going to the movies. Make your
coffee at home, pack your lunch for work, eat dinner at home and rent a movie. The savings
will add up and you will have bonus money to add to your wedding budget.
Use your skills, imagination and budget carefully and you will have a lovely wedding that is
affordable during these hard economic times.
great tips! this is definitely something that is on people's mind. weddings are so expensive so any ways to save and still have it be wonderful are great! i have a blog on travel and did a couple posts on destination weddings in cabo. Would love it if you checked it out! Thanks
Chelsea
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