Be Creative with your Wedding Budget
When Christina Mead was planning her
August wedding, some web surfing savvy led her to Hawaii for flowers.
"We discovered we could order
tropical flowers from Hawaii over the Internet cheaper than we could
get them locally," Mead said. "The arrangements were not
as large, but the bright colors and uniqueness made them very pretty."
The Collinsville newlywed saved in
other ways, too.
Forgoing a groom's cake saved money
on catering. The reception site didn't allow alcohol, so it was
off to Sam's Club for sodas. A shoe sale at DSW provided the perfect
pumps. And all this meant that she and her intended could invite
whomever they wanted.
"That was a choice of ours...
we didn't want to cut the guest list, so we cut in other areas,"
Mead said.
Even with champagne taste and a beer
pocketbook, you can have the wedding of your dream - if you exercise
some creativity.
Budgeting is
the primary step
"Sit down with everyone who is paying for the
wedding," said Denise Fields, co-author with her husband, Alan,
of "Bridal Bargains" (Windsor Peak Press).
Today, one-third of all couples pay
for their own weddings, which average $19,945, according to "Bridal
Bargains." For the majority, however, it is a combination of
the bride's parents and the bride and groom who foot the bill. So
when it comes to planning, talk isn't cheap - it's essential.
"When someone is kicking in some
money, they may want a say in the process," said Alan Fields.
Prioritizing
is the other key to creating a wise wedding
Have you always dreamed of a horse and carriage?
Or is your heart's desire to have hordes of photographs to remember
your special day? Give serious thought to what you really want.
And work with the people you hire to help attain it.
When meeting with vendors, Carley
Roney, says do your homework first. Make sure that what you want
and what you can spend are realistic.
"Challenge them if the estimates
are too high by saying, 'Help me--how can I achieve what I want
with the money I have?' " Roney said.
Here are some general cost-cutting
ideas:
All in the timing: Thinking
about becoming a June bride? So is everyone else. Considering other
times of the year may afford you more flexibility with your budget.
"Wedding merchants have to pay their mortgage year-round. In
January they are really lonely," said Alan Fields. "The
slowest times of the year to get married are October, November,
January and February--except for Valentine's Day."
Off the beaten path: "There
are amazing places to have a reception," Alan Fields said.
"People e-mail us all the time about zoos, museums. These are
all very affordable alternatives."
Beer vs. liquor: Think about
what's quicker. "Most people believe that a beer and wine reception
is cheaper, but hotel staff tell me that isn't true. People consume
more beer and wine than hard liquor. As a result that bar tab is
higher," said Sue Winner, a wedding consultant in Sandy Springs
and author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Budgeting for
Your Wedding" (Macmillan USA, $16.95).
As for the popularity of cash bars,
Winner warns that you wouldn't invite people to your home and make
them pay, so you shouldn't invite them to your wedding and charge.
Instead, she said if you can't afford liquor, punch is proper.
With the end in mind: Keep
sight of your long-term goals as a couple. Going into debt for the
perfect wedding is never advised.
"Keep that budget in your face.
You want a house someday, which is a worthwhile goal," Denise
Fields said.
Weddings often take on a life of their
own, and it's hard not to get carried away by expenses. So, the
Fields suggest keeping in mind the importance of the special day.
"The goal is to see two people married and have a party (within
their budget)," said Denise Fields. "It is the being married
part that is really cool."
Here are more ways to save money
on your wedding...
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