Getting married can be a nervous time for everyone, especially about the cost! Use these tips to save money and still have a memorable occasion!
So the magic moment has come and passed and now you and your prospective spouse are trying to plan that perfect wedding. But unless you have unlimited resources you need to start thinking about how to save money here and there in order to make your wedding a wonderful occasion but not one that'll put you into bankruptcy court. But there are plenty of ways that you can cut back on the cost without sacrificing the beauty of this important event.
First, consider having the wedding ceremony and reception
at your own house, or that of a relative. While you will still
have to pay for the minister or judge to come and perform the
actual ceremony you won't have to rent a reception hall. And
before anyone starts to accuse you of being cheap, point out
that the atmosphere will be a lot less formal. People are more
likely to enjoy themselves when they know that there's no time
limit on when they have to rush out, as there would be at a
fancy banquet hall. And if you plan to have children attend
it'll be a lot easier to deal with them if you have a house
available with suitable rooms and distractions for them to go
off and enjoy, such as a television set or video games.
Next, consider a buffet or potluck dinner instead of paying
for a fancy caterer to come and deliver your meals. Save the
money for a wonderful wedding cake instead of paying for a
small plate of chicken or beef with some steamed vegetables on
the side! Depending on your family and that of your spouse's,
you can create a table of wonderful ethnic recipes that your
family and guests can enjoy with no fear of being cut off
after a single plate. Even the wedding cake and desserts can
be whipped up if you have an experienced baker in the family.
This can not only save you some money but also bring your
families together as you enjoy the variety of foods
offered.
Consider looking to local talent for entertainment instead
of those high-priced bands that advertise specifically for
weddings. You might have some smalltown bands that are dying
for the chance to gain some experience in front of an audience
and do so at a much cheaper rate. The same holds true of a
radio deejay to spin records; it's possible that someone in
your combined families has the wish to see if they have what
it takes to go professional – why not let them try it out on
your back lawn? Not only can you add a personal touch to your
special event everyone can enjoy helping out either a local
band or a relative live out one of their biggest dreams and
possibly encourage them in their career.
Flowers are always the talk of every wedding, but a good
florist can break your budget. Consider creating your own
bouquets for the bridesmaids and the bride herself with craft
kits and plastic flowers. Contrary to popular belief many
plastic flowers now are indistinguishable from the real thing
and will last forever in that special bouquet; making them a
true treasure and keepsake. You can also create whatever sort
of arrangement you wish, including flowers that may be out of
season for your particular time of year. The same holds true
of the table arrangements – using artificial flowers and
building your own unique creation can give your wedding
another personal touch that's sure to make it stand out from
the average flower arrangement!
Lastly, don't feel that you must be married in a
traditional white wedding gown. Many brides are now
considering a variety of options, including beautiful
pantsuits and regular dresses that suit the occasion and the
weather more than the long flowing white creations that you
usually see. You can extend this to the groom, allowing him to
wear a regular blazer and dress pants instead of putting the
money down on a tuxedo if he so wishes. This will allow you to
personalize your wedding and create a wonderful memory instead
of using the same plain design that so many others have used.
Saving money at your wedding doesn't mean it still can't be a
beautiful and memorable occasion for all involved. By using
these few tips and involving your family and friends you can
have a magnificent wedding for much less than you'd think –
and create memories that you and your spouse will treasure for
years to come!