You don’t get many chances to put on a good wedding, but the splendor of it all may come with huge expenses if you’re not careful. There are several things you can do to control costs, and stay in line with your wedding budget. As you begin preparing, follow through and apply as many of the below tips as needed to see what kind of funds you can save up behind the scenes.
If you will be catering your own wedding, look to wholesale markets such as Sam’s or Costco to buy supplies. If you shop wholesale, you will be able to purchase your wedding food affordably. You may even ask for help with food costs from family or friends.
You can get a better rate on almost any venue by booking during an off period. The wedding season traditionally begins in May lasting through September. You can expect to pay more if you schedule your wedding during this time. If you need to book during this time, make sure you book far in advance to get the best deal.
Choose wedding decorations that reflect your personality and that of your partner. Your decorations should also help tell the story of your relationship with the person. Choose a theme that matches your time together!
If you prefer to handle the refreshments and foods on your own, save money by shopping at wholesalers, such as Sam’s Club and Costco. You will get more food for a better price if you shop wholesale. Think about asking friends to assist with the food costs.
Pick a reasonable dress that you won’t have to starve to get into. You may not feel good on the big day if you haven’t eaten enough. You have spent so long planning for your big day, the last thing you want to do is pass out at the altar. Get a dress that has a corset-like back that is removable.
Consider an ethnic or exotic flair for your reception dinner. Too many people serve up chicken and steak, so go against the grain and spice things up. Make sure that your wedding feast is something that everyone will remember for years to come.
Fashionable and luxury-loving brides can choose to embellish their bouquet with a touch of sparkle; think Swarovski crystals, rhinestones, and even a sprinkle of diamonds. You can create this look by using adhesive to affix crystals, a beloved heirloom or costume jewelry to the bouquet. Make sure you stay consistent with these decorations in cut, color and dimensions so it goes well with what you are going to wear.
Of course, the focus of your wedding should be on the person whom you plan to marry. This lifelong decision should not be rushed. See your partner as she really is–the good and the bad. Think not only about the reasons you love her, but all her bad habits and quirks that might irritate you after months or years together.
Practice walking towards a full length mirror to ensure you know how to do it, especially if you are not used to heels. Find attractive flats if you find the walk difficult. Sexy footwear won’t do you any good if you wind up falling on your bum.
Make sure you write down your vows, this is very important and will be important for your spouse. Your vows are a reflection of the strength of your commitment to your partner. Concentrate on the sacrifices you are happy to make for the sake of the marriage when writing your vows. Express your love in your vows.
Choose someone who has an interest in photography that you will enjoy working with. Your assistant can help you corral the wedding party for great photographs.
If the thought of a cake that costs thousands of dollars and packs on thousands of calories ruins your appetite, check with local and specialty bakers and inquire about individually sized portions. Some specialty bakeries also ship fresh, low-cal cupcakes and healthy fare, like gluten-free options if you so desire.
If you are inviting your family to a destination wedding, ask if they want to enjoy the honeymoon with you as well. This saves people money based on hotel discounts for guests that stay longer, and it also helps maximize the fun. They will have great memories from this too.
Make sure your venue has enough space for dancing. You don’t want to have dancers crashing into seated guests or knocking over the dessert table, so ensure you have adequate space available. If necessary, move some chairs and tables out of the way to make more room.
Place your colorful wedding cake on a swatch of fabric that coordinates with the cake. Whether you choose patterns or solids, the fabric should add another dimension of visual interest and help to tie your wedding cake in with your wedding theme.
If you are having a destination wedding, why not treat your guests with an indulgent gift basket delivered right to their hotel rooms? Include useful items like sunglasses, a hat, tourist map, pamphlets and a disposable camera. One piece that will really make this idea a hit with everyone is to include a restaurant guide so that all your guests are able to find options that they enjoy.
Look on Craigslist for talent to make your wedding special. Be sure you always meet the people who you are going to have provide you a service before the big day; you want to get a sense of who they are and what they’re capable of in advance.
Try to arrange to hold your reception in mid-day. People drink less during this time and you will not spend as much on alcohol. In addition, you can save money by serving lunch instead of dinner at your reception. You may be able to purchase a higher-quality menu at lunch time for the price you would have paid for dinner. Keep in mind that if you spend less on food, you can use the savings to pay for another service your wedding requires.
Keep your guests happy while waiting for food by giving them a tray of sweets. Why not look for sugar roses that match your wedding theme.
A piece of fabric that matches your cake can be placed on a table and function as the focal point. A pretty tablecloth made of textured fabric, velvet, shiny satin or a lace that matches the wedding dress are all nice choices.
If you have children in the ceremony, dress them comfortably. Have them wear comfortable fabrics which are appropriate for the temperature, fitting snugly but loose enough to allow air to flow through. New shoes need to be broken in so that they don’t cause pain on the big day. This small detail can ensure that the children remain focused on their part in the wedding, instead of fidgeting with uncomfortable clothing.
If the couple getting married has a strong love for travel, try to incorporate design elements that reflect this in the planning and decoration process. Invitation can be designed to resemble a travel brochure, boarding pass or vintage postcard. Design your wedding program and guest favors to match too.
If you want to have a good wedding speech, see to it that you practice and plan for it sufficiently. If you don’t plan and rehearse properly, you could embarrass yourself by talking too much, making an offensive joke, or simply forgetting what to say.
Each and every component of the wedding should be examined and planned perfectly; you want no surprises during showtime. You want to make sure that your wedding is enjoyable for everyone who has agreed to take part in your special day.
You want your photographer to capture your event perfectly. When meeting with a photographer, ask how he approaches the day. Question their process for shooting weddings. It is imperative that you understand their personal style and how it works with your plans for the day.
If you aren’t planning a reception meal, choose comfortable furniture for seating instead of tables and chairs. A lounge, chaise or even a cushy piece of sectional can give guests a greater way to communicate. Also, seating that is plush can make your guests feel more at ease and comfortable, and you can create separate areas for socializing in your location.
If you want the bride to be happy on her wedding day, it is important that everything meets her standards. If she is unhappy and has a poor wedding, she won’t let everyone else live it down. Make sure she approves all aspects of the wedding, or she might get annoyed.
When starting out with plans for your wedding, create a list of what you want in a prioritized order. Some people place a greater importance on the flowers over the cake, or consider the guest list less important than the venue. Prioritizing your wants can ensure that you don’t step over your allotted budget and still have the wedding day of your dreams.
Plan out the wedding far in advance. You will need 8-12 months in advance for planning. Planning early means more choices.
Create depth in your floral arrangements by using flowers in varying heights. Try using vases that are tall for more compact heads with long stems. Then use shorter vases around the taller ones, filled with big flowers like peonies or hydrangeas. The tall flowers should be in dark colors, and the short flowers should be light.
You might want to think about serving a smaller dinner for your reception. When making accommodations for many guests for your big day, you have to think about areas where you can cut costs. Cutting down on the food at your wedding is one way to save money. If you prefer to serve a larger meal, you may need to cut down the number of guests you invite.
Plan group activities for those who are sharing your special day. Do not let your guests simply wait for the end of the nuptials. The activities that you can incorporate into your wedding day can range from simple games, to contests, to door prizes. The wedding will be memorable in proportion to the amount of fun.
Your mother, and any bridesmaids that are going to aid in helping you get ready, should be dressed and ready to go by the time they are needed to help you with your wedding gown and accessories. It’s important that your assistants are focusing on you in the final moments before the ceremony begins. They should have finished their own preparations so they can help you be ready.
It is entirely possible to have a great wedding with just a little budget. A wedding should not put you into serious debt. Create your own invitations, pick your own venue and combine it for your reception and wedding, ask loved ones to help, make your own favors, and create your own flower arrangements to save some money.
You should open a bank account to use to save for your wedding. This gives you a crystal clear idea of what your wedding budget will be. Open a savings account and start putting money aside if you can wait to get married.
Your budget does not determine the quality of your wedding. Use these tips to get a reasonably priced, yet dreamy wedding.
Once your wedding design is in your mind, put it down on paper and start researching any services that can help with your ideal design. As you identify the services that cater to your wanted design, you can start winnowing the list down by costs and specific services.