SAVE MONEY ON YOUR WEDDING!
Compromise is the name of the game!
Couples want a Beautiful Wedding for Less Money!
On Friday, September 17, 2010, Elizabeth Collins married Kevin Jones. After the ceremony, the sixty guests retired to a location where they had a full sit-down evening meal complemented with wine and beer. All this cost $1,500 less than it would on a Saturday. They had a cash bar. (Liquor was paid for by the guests). They had looked around and been successful in finding ways to save on their wedding.
Rather than a full-length wedding dress, Elizabeth decided on a lovely $200 ivory dress with spaghetti straps. For a splendid effect, she put orchids in her hair.
She had made centerpieces using a piece of round wood that she drilled holes into for candles. She painted the wood green with greenery on top of it. (Painting it the color of the tablecloth can also work well). The candles for each table were ivory and all different heights. The greenery was inexpensive with single flowers placed on top.
“We thought about what was really important to us,” said Collins. “What wasn’t, we did for cheaper – or we didn’t do it” The final bill was $7,000. Elizabeth & Kevin had their two best friends stand up with them. They saved the hidden cost of gifts for bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Don’t be afraid to serve a less expensive meal or have none. Hors D’ oeuvres with a champagne toast and wedding cake are very acceptable for an afternoon wedding. It will be much more affordable than an evening reception. You can save thousands of dollars by choosing Saturday afternoon over Saturday evening. A Sunday wedding may save you as much as 30%!
Food and Drinks usually account for the largest chunk of costs. Wedding professionals say their clients are buying less expensive meals than in the past. “As silly as it sounds, go with the chicken,” says Daniel Briones, NACE president and Director of Catering at the Four Seasons Philadelphia. The price will be $26 per person compared with $40 for steak.
The wedding dress is a special thing for most gals. They have waited a long time for the perfect guy and now it is time to shop for a dress. Yes, you can buy a wedding dress on E-bay but expect that the alterations maybe $200 or more. There is always a risk when something is bought without seeing it first.
It’s nice when you have a salesgirl who can tell you the exact cost of alterations on your gown of choice off the rack. You will know exactly what you are getting and the total cost. There are no surprises, and you have the added advantage of trying it on.
To save money, you might consider renting a dress. There are lovely dresses for a third of the cost of purchasing. Ask at the bridal store if they would consider renting. They may be willing to do it with your credit card. The concept may be new to them, and they are taking a risk.
Be sure to use our Budgeting Worksheets. A pencil will allow you to adjust your expenses.
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