Eventista: Tips for keeping your wedding budget-friendly
Written by Brittany Craig | | brittany@crowningcelebrations.comIt used to be that you graduated from school, married a nice chap or lady, settled into a home, worked the 9 to 5 and raised a happy family. Mom and Dad threw you a nice soiree of a wedding reception and afterward you started playing house. It sounds so easy! Well, things have changed and so have the order in which we do them.
Today’s couples are getting married older and choosing to climb the corporate ladder before marriage. And saying “I do” is no longer just on their parents’ tab. Couples are contributing to the wedding and simultaneously house-hunting for the first time. So budgets are tight and spending is down from prerecession averages to an average wedding cost of $26,989. Here are some ways to keep yourself sane and your wedding budget-friendly.
The first is obvious — set a budget and lock it in. This will be one of the hardest parts of planning a wedding. It’s like being on a diet. You cannot cheat or you will only be cheating yourselves. The budget will help you make decisions because it will either fit your budget or not.
More brides are wearing in-season pre-owned wedding dresses than ever before. Brides are putting their gowns on the market as soon as the week after their wedding to make a return profit. But whether choosing a gently used gown or a new one off the rack, be very conscious of the alterations. A simple hem can cost $200 and taking it in, moving the zipper or altering the bodice can be as much as $500. So make sure there is really a savings to be had.
Get all your costs itemized. Simple charges like cake cutting and corkage fees can add up. Event the “all inclusive” deals have hidden costs.
One-stop shopping at vendors that supply a multitude of services does not always save you money. Often you will find yourself giving in on what you really want and spending more to make up for it. Ask for a price breakdown from caterers and facilities that supply tents, tables, linens, etc., in addition to food. Know exactly what you are paying for and make sure you can’t do better.
Set limits on DIY (do it yourself) projects. The best way is to create a sample to see how much time and cost it really takes to get it done. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family. Most importantly, don’t feel like you have to do one. DIY is trendy but it’s not for everyone. Use your talents wisely.
Small and intimate weddings under one roof have many advantages. Large groups require more spending: more food and drink, more tables, more centerpieces, more space, etc. Smaller receptions allow couples to interact more with their guests, often making that DIY project useless because the time spent with people has a greater impact than some craft you made. Having your ceremony and reception at the same location omits added transportation costs and can save you fees on churches and ceremony locations. Additionally it saves on décor and entertainment. The flowers used in your ceremony are easily transferred to your reception with no added delivery costs and your musicians can go right from your recessional music into lively cocktail tunes.
And what kind of wedding professional would I be if I didn’t tell you that hiring a wedding coordinator does, in fact, save you money? Yes, there is a cost for our services. But our expertise and exclusive cost-saving relationships with other professionals makes up for it.
There is no greater savings than the stress-relief and peace of mind that a professional wedding coordinator offers. Being smart with your money starts with hiring one.
Brittany Craig is the principal event designer and coordinator for Crowning Celebrations. She specializes in weddings and social celebrations. Follow her at www.crowningcelebrations.com.
Tags: Brittany Craig, Budget, Crowing Celebrations, Eventista, Wedding
