By: Harmony O'Talon
A wedding is a wonderfully special day and you want to remember it for years to come. The bride has champagne tastes and caviar dreams, on a soda and beans budget!
A wedding can still be astoundingly beautiful and memorable without going into debt for years, and without compromising quality. On a budget wedding flowers, invitations, flowers and food may be made by the bride, friends and family. Some may require extra preparation time or more manual labor, but will save money. The money that’s saved can be spent on other wedding essentials.
Wedding Planner A planner can help you plan your wedding within your budget, but sometimes you don’t need to make that another expense. Instead, rely on a friend to keep your spending in check, so you don’t over spend.
Big Wedding Expenses Ceremony, reception and honeymoon.
The ceremony: have it at a family or friends house.
The reception: again have it at a family member or friends house in the back yard; it could be their wedding
gift to you.
Your honeymoon: keep it small, cozy and real (within your budget). Take a road trip to a nearby quiet town and relax, rest and have fun with your new partner. Stay at a ranch, a hotel room or a bed and breakfast.
Trim Your Guest List Don’t invite anyone you haven’t talked to in five years. Don’t feel obligated to let single people bring a date. Eliminate relatives more distant than first cousins or friends from where you volunteer. Avoid inviting all your work colleagues. Also don’t let your guests bring their children. These are all savings to your budget dollars.
Save Postage & Printing Costs Dispense with the inner envelope and blotter paper (not necessary). Instead of using a reply card, ask your guest to reply by phone or online. Invitations can also be printed with the do-it-yourself invitations on your home computer. All this will not only save money and time at the printer, it could also reduce your expense for postage.
Wedding Dress Check out sample sales, Ebay, Craigslist, special deals at bridal shops, borrow grandmas’ wedding gown, or you may be able to “rent” a wedding dress.
The Day of the Week Vendors will often give a better rate for dates, or days that are in less demand, such as week nights or a Sunday.
Pool Your Friends–Ask For Help Think of musicians you know, friends who could be your officiant. Always be on the look out for money-saving tips. Check out web-sites such as
wedfrugal.com and
frugalbride.com and ask friends and family what they did to save money on their special day. Throw a “pitch-in party,” ask for help assembling centerpieces, making invitations, inexpensive touches. Make it a party atmosphere, play music and have good, healthy food, they are friends; not workers, (and it is a party.)
Wedding Food and Drink As far as liquor is concerned–have a dry wedding and reception. Serve punch and tidbit trays purchased at a local store. Or if you have a family member who is a good cook, ask them to make the eats. Make your own wedding cake, or a new trend is to have a cupcake tower, what could be simpler.
Flowers Be honest with your florist about your budget, and have them recommend inexpensive flowers. Some might offer a discount for loose lots of flowers. Tell them your color scheme, theme and flowers that you do not like. Choose your date wisely–during Christmas and Easter season a church will already be decorated. In February flower prices are at an annual high. Find a venue that is already beautiful and lush, such as a park or a garden. It’s possible if other brides have booked the same day that the two of you could split the cost. More brides today are arranging their own flowers. Such as a bouquet of beautiful roses tied with a ribbon. For a table centerpiece–use wide shallow bowls filled with water and floating garden daisy blooms, or candle pillars on top of rose petals.
Wedding Favors Buy in bulk, and think about people that are creative or crafter’s who can help make or assemble your wedding decor and wedding favors. Order online from a
wedding favor retailer in large quantities to get the lowest price. Favors for guests that are simple and within a budget are
candles and votives.
By budgeting properly you can save a lot of time and money. Brides are being creative and discovering ways to help themselves save money. Enjoy your special day without blowing your budget, or breaking the bank, and your guests will appreciate your care.
