I know you probably already know this: weddings are expensive! There are so many details and nearly all of them cost money. The dress, the venue, the flowers, the pictures, the music, the lighting, the food - it can all add up to thousands of dollars. After the wedding, the money is gone but hopefully the memories carry on for a lifetime. I still look back on my wedding day with great affection. Of course, I wasn't the one footing the bill!
Saving money is always nice. It makes us feel good when we know we got a great deal. We already have an idea of where to spend the money we are saving! Maybe it's a trip to Hawaii or a down payment on a first home. Maybe it's a car or concert tickets.
But no one wants their wedding day to appear thrifty. So how do you plan a wedding and cut costs without cheapening the biggest day of your life thus far? Here are 3 rules that can help you save a lot of cash:
Rule #1 - Write down your ideas. Come up with your theme and imagine the day in your mind. It's not hard especially for the bride who has been day dreaming her whole life about getting married! What are your colors for your decor? What kind of music do you think best establishes the mood? What types of foods do your family and friends like? After writing down your thoughts, don't stray from them. Instead, find ways to make it happen. A little imagination goes a long way!
Rule #2 - Spend money in the right places. Know your capabilities and leave the rest to professionals. Make sure you get the pros for the projects you can't accomplish on your own. Sometimes you have to spend money for peace of mind and to free up time for your other tasks. Do you really think you can prepare the meal for 250 guests and create the bouquets for your bridesmaids the day before your wedding?
Friends can really come in handy too. If you have talented friends or family members, use them! Okay, that sounds bad. But they'll want you to return the favor on their big day! Be careful though to insure that your friends can deliver a quality product. Yes, Uncle Bob was a great DJ in the 70's but will he embarrass you by making it cheesy? If you want dancing, is your IPOD capable of reading the crowd and going with the flow? Is your little brother's band varied enough to entertain all of your guests?
There are many other do it yourself ways to save money. Choose a cheaper (or even used) dress. Rent the tuxedos. Use your dad's car as the going away vehicle. Have Aunt Mabel bake the cake. Elope!
Rule #3 - Pick your date wisely. The most expensive days for a wedding are holidays. If you have to have your wedding on New Year's Eve or the 4th of July, be prepared to pay for it! For non-holidays, the most costly days are Saturdays. The demand is just too high in most cases to get a price break on a Saturday. However, sometimes procrastination can save you big time! If your wedding is in the very near future (and the vendor is available) you can get a good deal. All vendors would rather be working and making money than not. Most businesses offer discounts for Fridays, Sundays, and especially weekdays. Don't be afraid to ask.
Your wedding can be the greatest day of your life but it doesn't have to be the most expensive. Follow these money saving ideas so you can spend it on each other and live happily ever after!
Band Of Gold - Band Leader
Orpheus and Aphrodite Music and Photography - Owner/DJ
