Simple Ways To Save Money On Your Wedding Without Skimping
In every country around the world, young couples spend thousands and thousands of dollars to host glamorous, even decadent weddings.
But in the process, some are finding it more and more difficult to achieve their wedding ‘dream’ without having to declare bankruptcy afterward — or at the least, start their union with some bitter months poring over the credit card bills.
These days, a wedding for 100 guests often costs well upwards of $20,000. The gown alone can run you between $1000 and $5,000. Tack on the hefty cost of catering, flowers and photography, and you can blow your budget before you've exited your first bridal boutique. Thankfully, there are a lot of ways to save money when planning your wedding.
Save the Date ... Early
The first thing you should do: book the wedding date as far in advance as possible. Caterers and banquet facilities can change their prices frequently throughout the year. If you sign a contract now for a wedding next year, you're safe from price hikes. (Caveat: only do this if you're confident the venue will stay in business, and you've read and understood all the contractual fine print.)
Next: be flexible with the date. Most weddings are held on Saturdays, so if you book your wedding on a Friday or a Sunday, you're likely to get a discount. Most facilities offer a 10 – 20% discount on functions being held on days besides Saturday.
Save money on wedding favors by making and assembling them yourself. Some brides wrap chocolates, candles and other assorted gifts in decorative papers or cloths. Another popular option: forgo these trinkets in favor of donations to local charities.
Simplify the Menu
Selecting a simple menu and wine list can go a long way to reducing a wedding’s overall cost. A simple three or four course meal with some hors d’oeuvres will see all your guests pleasantly full by the time the dessert's being cleared.Wine doesn't need to be pricey to be good. Select a tasty domestic wine, and set a limit on the number of bottles to serve. Wine should never be left on the table for guests to serve themselves. Not only is this irresponsible when it comes to your guest’s safety, it could also increase your wine bill by 20–40 bottles.
Some brides have even found a way to save money when buying their flowers. By ordering directly from a large flower distributor and assembling the bouquets and centerpieces themselves, brides are realizinga substantial 30-50% discounts on the cost of their flowers.
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Where to Draw the Line
Some areas of your wedding don't lend themselves to cost-cutting, and photography is one: it should only be done by professionals. The only way to save money on a photographer is to set a budget and stick to it. Search around for different prices and always ask for their most recent references. If you book your wedding on a day other than Saturday, the photographer may also offer a discounted rate.No matter what higlights you want in your wedding, someone has probably found a way to get them for a little less. Still, it's highly unlikely that your supplier will ‘volunteer’ their discount policies, so ask. Find out if they offer any discounts for certain days of the week, or months of the year.
One last piece of advice: decide what you will and won’t compromise on. If the flowers are crucial to your vision, then spend a little more on them. If you're a foodie of long standing and the meal's more important than fancy flowers, upgrade to a five-course meal and a nicer bottle of wine.
But regardless of what you serve, wear or give away, and regardless of how much it cost, the guests at your wedding are there to celebrate your happiness and future.
