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Money Saving Tips for
Weddings
Sierra M. Koester
One of the most stressful aspects of planning weddings is
financing your perfect day. In the process of planning my own wedding, I
discovered several money saving tips other couples may find beneficial.
First, it is essential to begin
planning your wedding early. Ideally, couples should begin planning their
wedding at least a year in advance. Doing so, will allow for careful,
considerate decision making.
Second, when searching for a site
to host your wedding ceremony and reception, try to find a site that will allow
you to host both ceremonies at the same location. Some sites will offer a
package deal – a lower price for hosting the wedding and reception at the same
location than it would cost to host them at separate locations. If the site
does not mention a package deal, ask if they have one. Additionally, while
they seem to be rare, I was able to locate a site where the staff provided
catering services, tux ordering, and invitation ordering, as well as a place to
host your wedding ceremony and reception. All the services were offered at a
discount price. Keep an eye out for great deals, but remember to read all the
“fine print” in any written contracts and brochures.
If you want to save money on
catering services, and are extremely ambitious, consider making your own
reception dinner. Alternatively, provide snack refreshments instead of a large
meal.
If you are a crafty individual,
it will be easy to save money on ceremony decorations. Decorate a plain white
basket with ribbons, lace, and/or fabric for the flower girl’s basket. Hand
make centerpieces for the reception tables. Get some girlfriends or family
members to help you create the centerpieces; it will provide you a chance to bond
with the people you love while you save money on your wedding!
Next, you can save money on hair
and makeup expenses for the wedding party. Ask your regular beautician if he
or she will give you a discount for bringing all of your bridesmaids and flower
girl to him or her to get their hair done. Alternatively, if you have a
girlfriend who can do hair well, ask her if she will do the wedding party’s
hair for you as her wedding gift to you. Similarly, if you have a girlfriend
who does makeup well, you can ask her if she will provide this service to you
as your wedding gift, or at a discounted price.
If you need alterations done on
your wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses, some altering businesses will offer
group discounts. If the individual who is altering your dresses does not offer
you a discount, ask about this possibility.
Saving money on ceremony flowers
is also a definite possibility. One of the churches I visited when planning my
wedding had fake flower arrangements we could use in our wedding ceremony. Ask
your wedding site if they have any flower arrangements you can use in your
ceremony. If they do not, you can save money on flowers by mixing less
expensive and more expensive flowers together. Using the “in season” flowers
will also reduce your flower expenses.
Along the way, I am positive you
will happen upon your own money saving tips and tricks for your big day. For
more money saving tips, I recommend checking out publications by The Knot and
bridal magazines.
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