Tips for Saving Money on Your Wedding

Every bride wants a fairytale wedding. She wants to feel like a princess, complete with all the royal touches on her wedding day.
If she was born to royalty or to a wealthy businessman, she can live her dream without ever worrying about how much this dream will cost.



But, if she is like most of us, she must save and plan to have her Cinderella wedding day. She may be marrying her Prince Charming, but he is more likely to have a taupe Dodge Charger than a white charger of the equine persuasion! Along with this more mundane method of transportation, he is usually saddled with everyday bills and payments, as is the bride, so an extravagant wedding with no spending limits is definitely out of the question.

To foolishly ignore reality could turn the fairytale wedding into a nightmare which stays around a long time to haunt the newlyweds. Here are a few tips to help you get started on planning your wedding to avoid breaking the bank.

• Start Early and take your time. There are bargains and good buys to be found, but if you are under pressure of time you are much less likely to shop wisely. Haste makes waste! If you allow enough time you can explore what options are available at both ends of your price range and decide which one better fits your style and wallet.
• Make a budget and STICK TO IT! If you take the time to do a little research and make a realistic budget it will be much easier to follow through with your intentions. When planning your budget decide what can and can't be cut or modified so there are no arguments or disputes later.
• Start with your venue and see if you can recreate the atmosphere of the expensive hotel conference rooms in a more modestly priced venue. With the right decor you can transform many rental halls into an attractive banquet/dance facility without the expense. Do a thorough outline of what is provided at each and at what cost. If the hotel provides dishes, tablecloths, tables and chairs and other amenities, what would the cost to rent the equivalent be. Would this extra cost to rent items be offset by the lower price of the venue and the freedom to hire less costly caterers, servers and entertainment?
• Caterers prices vary widely and what they provide varies just as widely. What could be $30 or $40 (or more) per plate at a hotel or conference center may be provided at 1/2 to 2/3 of the price from a small private caterer. If you plan on 150 or 200 guests, the savings per plate could amount to a sizeable difference in cost. But make sure you are getting an acceptably comparable meal for the lower price.
• Know your numbers. Send your invitations out in good time, and once the deadline for return has passed, go over your list to see who has not replied. If you are missing some replies, it is not considered poor taste to call invited guests to see if they can confirm their attendance. After all, their reply card could have been lost in the mail or otherwise misdirected. Most venues and caterers allow for a certain number of extra plates, but knowing a more definite number of confirmed guests means you won't pay for a large amount of extras and won't run short either.
• Enlist the help of friends and family if hiring a decorator is outside your budget. Many decor items can be made, borrowed or rented, but make sure you are allowing the time and manpower that will be needed on your wedding day and the day before and after. You don't want to be lugging centerpieces or backdrops on your wedding morning when you should be relaxing and having a manicure or getting your hair done.
• List the pros and cons of having live music at your ceremony, reception and dance. Perhaps you could hire a soloist who also plays an instrument to provide your ceremony music, then entertain your guests at the beginning of the reception.  Asking your DJ to provide a muted background music during the reception might not add much to the overall cost of his services. Weigh the benefits of live music for your dance against the variety that can be provided by a DJ, usually at a much lower cost.
• Be realistic and candid when meeting with vendors. Ask your florist what she can provide for the price you have in your budget. If you can't get the look you want in florals for the amount you have planned to spend, opt for candles or some other type of centerpiece that can be created by yourself or a family member. Wedding vendors know their products best and will work with you to find something within your price range if you let them know your limits.
• Beware the extras. Make sure everything is in writing so you know exactly what you are getting and at what price. Be prepared to pay deposits and reservation fees, and make sure your contract spells out the vendors and your obligations and rights regarding downsizing your order or cancelling.  Read your contracts carefully to avoid penalty costs associated with late returns of rentals. Check if picking up your rentals, floral or other items will save you delivery costs, but make sure you have someone available to to these tasks so chaos doesn't happen on your day.

Above all, remember that the day is about you and your partner being joined as a couple, and celebrating with your family and friends. You want it to be a nice day for everyone, but overspending will not guarantee anything other than headaches after the fact!