 Stretch
Your Wedding Budget
Many couples are shocked when they
learn that the average wedding costs $20,000. But, if you use good
organizational skills, ingenuity, flexibility, and enlist the help
of friends and family you could save hundreds.
Today, about 70% of the marrying couples
pay for their own weddings, so setting a realistic budget and sticking
to it is essential if you are to keep the cost of your wedding within
your budget.
What to do? Get creative and examine
your options.
Research the
Internet
Search the Internet thoroughly to save time and money.
Websites like this one provide links to wedding related businesses
which might be your answer to quality products and services. St.
Louis brides can compare and save by searching our local vendors
section by clicking the button at the top of this page. You can
also save money by making purchases online, so be sure to do your
homework.
Set your priorities
and your budget
As you plan your wedding create these three categories:
Must have
Optional
Nice to have
Base your decisions on availability,
budget and ingenuity. Once you decide what your priorities are,
use your creativity. Involve yourself, your friends and your family
in the preparations. Loved ones will appreciate the opportunity
to contribute to your happy day, and they will have fun and save
you money.
Choose vendors and service providers
who can assure your priorities will be met. Be firm when you negotiate
with vendors and service providers. Stick to what you want and stick
to your budget. Do not let them talk you into anything you didn't
budget for or don't want. By the same token, be flexible enough
to spend more or substitute, if you cannot find exactly what you
considered to be a priority within your budget.
Be sure you are familiar with all
changes, return and/or cancellation policies before you sign any
contract or finalize any arrangement. Having to buy something twice,
or having to pay additional fees for changes can and will add up.
Always keep documentation of every contract and receipt in a safe
place and pay special attention to deadlines for returning items.
Always comparison shop, and start
early because you can save a lot of money if you shop bargains,
clearance sales, and online stores. Do not get confused between
inexpensive and cheap. Before you buy any reduced priced items,
check to make sure they are not inferior quality because most of
time you will not be able to return or exchange them.
Use the expertise
of Wedding Consultants and Wedding Professionals
Professionals can save you time and money, but remember to base
your decision on your budget. Engage a wedding consultant to help
you with tasks as small as locating trusted vendors and service
providers, or tasks as large as organizing your entire wedding event.
The more you do yourself, the more money you save. Use this site
to research wedding
planners in St. Louis, Missouri.
Save Money on
Invitations
If you are willing to depart from traditional printed invitations,
you may be able to save a lot of money.
You can create your own invitation
on your computer and print it on specialty wedding paper. Head to
your nearest Office Max or Depot for a nice selection of specialty
papers. You could also e-mail your friends and family an invitation
to a private wedding site where they can get an official invitation,
as well as directions and registry information.
Save Money on
your Attire
Wedding gowns are very expensive but there are many options you
may exercise to get what you want and save money. Do you have a
friend or a family member who sews? Engage them and in return give
them the honor of serving as an attendant in your wedding party.
If you decide to purchase a wedding
gown, go to department stores and check their sale area before you
decide to have one custom made. Occasionally they have wedding gowns
on clearance and you can buy one at a fraction of its original price
and save a ton of money. Another option is buying a sample gown
which was used in a fashion show or display. If you still cannot
find that special gown, and you need to purchase one, consider a
simple gown off the rack, or comb the wedding ads and auction sites
on and off the web. You'll probably be able to buy a gown that was
used only once or even a brand new one for next to nothing. To save
even more, you may consider a white prom or a bridesmaid dress.
To research today's most fabulous
wedding gown designers, visit our sister site Bridal
Gown Designers. The site contains gown designer information,
web listings, and access to exclusive online discounts.
Save on Tuxedos
Rent the groom's tuxedo, shoes and accessories and be sure
to select all of the groomsmen's tuxedos at the same time. Many
rental places will furnish the groom's attire for free if all the
men from the wedding party will rent at the same time as one package.
Its customary for groomsmen to pay for their own rental unless the
wedding is in a far away place and the groomsman must do extensive
travel.
Save on Wedding
Flowers
You can save money on your flower arrangements if you are willing
to be original and creative. If any of your guests create flower
arrangements, even as a hobby, ask them to do them.
If not, you'll need to purchase the
bridal bouquet and flowers for the altar from a reputable florist.
Think about giving the bridesmaids mixed seasonal flowers (sometimes
you can find these in supermarkets). These flowers can later be
put in vases and can serve as centerpieces for the reception tables.
Your bridesmaids may not be able to keep the flowers forever, but
they will remember your wedding every time they see the vase. Plus,
you'll save money. Use this site to research reputable wedding
florists in St. Louis, Missouri.
Save on the
Reception Meal
The reception is the most expensive part of your wedding, but its
possible to have a memorable reception and stay within budget. You
must be very particular when choosing the site. It must be appropriate
and fit your reception plan. It does not have to be a traditional
hall. Consider a historical home, a park, a museum, fairgrounds,
public gardens, even the beach. You also need to know if the reception
site will supply you with furniture and dining needs. If not, you
must calculate rental fees. Use this site to discover your ideal
reception
venue in St. Louis, Missouri.
Want to save even more money? Consider
a slow period, Friday evening, or Sunday afternoon. You'll be able
to negotiate the better deals.
If you invite some good cooks to your
wedding, you may ask to them prepare their favorite recipes for
your wedding reception. Also, if you invite some good bakers, ask
if they could prepare sweets and desserts or maybe even your wedding
cake. You'll save money and they will feel honored for being asked.
If you have your reception catered,
you must consider the number of guests, the time of day and how
the food will be served. Will it be refreshments only? Dessert only?
Light snack? Sit-down? Buffet? Will you serve alcohol? Will it be
open bar?
There is an enormous price difference
between a light brunch and a five course dinner. Try having a brunch
or an early lunch and you can serve fruit and vegetables, salads,
eggs, cheeses, pastries, coffee, tea and cold drinks buffet style.
Try having a late lunch and you'll only need to add a few meats
and poultry.
Save on Wedding
Photography
Compare prices and references before hiring a photographer. Choose
the very best photographer within your budget. When weighing the
value in predetermined packages, always go for quality over quantity.
Use this site to find wedding
photographers in St. Louis, Missouri.
Here are more ways to save money
on your wedding...
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