20 Ways to Stretch Your Wedding Budget – Part I

If you are like any of the brides we’ve been talking this past month you are experiencing a bit of sticker shock, and like them you are looking for ways to cut and stretch your wedding budget.    The current economic climate is affecting you, your wedding plans and your wedding budget.  Am I right?  Well here’s the good news and the bad news.  The good news is that this is the perfect time to think creatively, to think outside the box.  The bad news is that this is the perfect time to think creatively, to think outside the box; bad news if you’re not the creative type.  If you are, then you’ll have no problem. 

First let’s start with the obvious, if you haven’t set a wedding budget – then stop what you’re doing, grab a cup of coffee, a chocolate brownie, your sweetie and pad, pen (or pencil) and calculator and write one out.  If you need help, review our post “Start at the beginning” or give us a call.  We can customize one for you.  Enough said – let’s move on.  Now that you have your wedding budget in hand, let’s look at the first five of thirteen area’s that comprise a wedding budget and examine some cost saving strategies in each area.  Ready?  Here they are:

Accessories: this category would include items like a Cake Knife Set, Champagne/Toasting Glasses, Guest Book and Pen and finally a Ring Bearer’s Pillow. 

Cost saving tip #1

Incorporate your something old, something new, something borrowed something blue strategy here and use your mother, grandmother or favorite aunt’s cake knife set and toasting glasses here.  It will give them a reason to get them out of the china cabinet.  Years ago, I had a bride do just this.  She used her mother’s cake knife set, but before she did we took it to a local engravers and had her parents wedding date engraved on one side of the blade with hers on the other.  Now, not only did she have a knife set to use for the day, but she also created a family heirloom to be pasted down to her daughter .  By the way, we left enough room on the blade for another bride to include her wedding date too; in this case it was her sister who used the set next when she got married two years later.

Bride’s Attire:  this category is extensive and would include the following, the wedding gown, veil,  tiara, handkerchief, hosiery, jewelry, lingerie, shoes, alterations and gown cleaning/preservation.  Now, I know that every bride dreams of the “perfect” dress for her wedding day; however remember, you are wearing it for one day and then storing it for a lifetime; so value for your money is important. 

*Note:  I still have my wedding gown from over 20 years ago beautifully preserved for posterity sake.  Alas neither of my daughters will ever wear it for two notable reasons; #1 – it’s not their “style” and #2 – I was barely a size 3 when I wore it; way to small for either of my abundantly bosom blessed daughters to wear.  I do however take solace in the fact that they were able to wear it when they were 3 and 5 as they played “wedding” around the house.

Cost saving tip #2:

Think outside the box with your wedding gown.  Again, using the something old, something new strategy there are a few options.  Borrow a gown from a family member or friend or shop a consignment shop, E-bay or even local thrift stores; the same is true with your veil, tiara and jewelry.  Here’s a true story:

$19.95 Alfred Angelo gown

Last February my surrogate daughter got married in a stunning Alfred Angelo strapless gown (see photo) with a chapel length train that I “discovered” at a local thrift shop for a whopping $19.95.  Now, we did make some minor alterations to the gown (it was adorned in a simple lace with tiny seed pearls that were not my daughters style) and added a little ribbon embellishment.  Even with the professional alterations, we only spent $102.00 for her wedding gown.  Now that’s what I call a bargain!  Of course, there’s always consignment shops and E-bay.  It’s a little known fact that many of the bridal houses around the country sell their “rack” samples on E-bay.  They are a little shop worn, but it’s nothing that a reputable dry cleaner can’t get out. 

 

Wedding Cake:  this category is pretty obvious, it’s your wedding cake.  Now then I’m sure you’re familiar with the term “have your cake and eat it too”?  Well you can.   I know, I know, you want the mega-tiers with all the decorative accents – no problem.  Here’s how you do it, without busting your budget:

 

Cost saving tip #3:

 

Rent your wedding cake.  Yes, that’s right, you can rent a faux (fake) wedding cake without compromising the

grand illusion.  Now, I am not suggesting the whole cake be faux, just the bottom two or three layers.  Keep the top layer real, so that you and your new husband can cut into it for those ever important cake cutting photos.  Once the photo-op is captured,  have the catering staff roll the cake to the kitchen where moments later plates of freshly cut sheet cake are brought out and served to your guests.  OR you could opt for our next tip:

 

Cost saving tip #4:

 

Make your centerpieces edible by using mini-cakes, cheesecake, Russian pastry, tartlets or any other favorite dessert option; just make sure it is climate tolerant.  You wouldn’t want to serve something that will melt and be sticky if your wedding is in the middle of summer.   Also remember to make sure your dessert option is  large enough to serve 8-10 guests at each table.   

 

Entertainment:  this is an area that we generally don’t suggest making compromises that are too drastic.  In today’s modern techno-age it’s easy to follow the pack, hook up an i-Pod and run through a play-list that you and your fiancee have created; however we don’t suggest it.  An i-Pod is not going to be able to masterfully maintain flow, enthusiasm and excitement  and momemtum during your wedding reception.  These are services that only a highly trained and experienced  DJ/Emcee is able to perform; however if you must make a compromise, here are our suggestions:

 

Cost saving tip #5:

 

If you are a member of a church (one that encourages worship and dances) then hire members of the worship team to sing at both your ceremony and reception  This is a strategy that we have used several times – with LOTS of success.  More often then not, the members are happy to sing for their “supper” as a “gift” to you and your new husband.  Another thought is:

 

Cost saving tip #6:

 

Contact your local nightclubs and see who the up and coming performers are, or ask the local community college about who their stellar performance students are.  Many times they too are willing to perform at a reception for a fraction of the cost of more seasoned professionals; also in exchange for dinner and a well spoken “thank-you” during the evening.

 

Flowers- Ceremony and Reception:  I can’t tell you how many times I cringe when I see the beautiful, artfully arranged flowers for the ceremony and reception thrown in the trash at the end of the night because no one wants to deal with them later on.  So here are a few tips regarding this category:

 

 

Cost saving tip #7:

 

This one is obvious, but worth mentioning again.  Use seasonal flowers.  Check with your florist about what flowers are in season during your wedding month that will compliment and coordinate with your colors and theme.  Using seasonal flowers will save you a bundle verses using the exotics that are featured in the current bridal magazing issue that you are coveting.  In the event you must have the exotic flowers, keep them special by using them just in your bouquet.

 

Silk arrangement courtesy of Wendy and Friends

 

Cost saving tip #8:

Rent your flowers; everything from bouquets, boutonniers, corsages, aisle treatments and centerpieces.  Let’s face it, the groomsmen could care less about their boutonniers, the bridesmaids are going to leave them on the tables at the end of the night and what in the heckare you going to do with all those centerpiece containers you just “had to have” once your big day is over?!  Simple, rent them – rent them all.  Today’s silk florals are head and shoulders above your grandmothers “fake flowers” so much so it’s not unusual to catch guests “smelling” the flowers during the course of the evening.  For that matter, you can rent the containers too thereby eliminating the question of what to do with them later.    Should you still decide that you must have fresh, again keep it minimal and use them just for your bouquet, and the grooms boutonniere. 

 

Cost saving tip #9:

 

Re-purpose those bridal bouquets on the head-table, cake table, guest book sign-in and any other place you can think of.  

 

Cost saving tip #10:

 

Keeping with the “re-purpose your flowers” mantra, once your ceremony is concluded and the altar area must be restored, reuse those artfully arranged urns, pedastals and any other ceremony flowers at the reception site.  Place them in the entry ways, behind the cake table and the head table.  This is especially important if your reception is taking place in any venue other than a banquet hall or hotel ballroom.  Again, over the years we’ve re-purposed ceremony flowers at the reception to dramatically alter the not so pleasant appearance of a mens lodge, community center and gymnasium.  It’s amazing what the eye sees and the brain interputs when you cleverly disguise your surroundings.

 

Well, there you have it; 10 budget stretching, cost cutting strategies that have hopefully inspired you to think a little less traditionally and a lot more creatively.  Of course you have probably thought of a few other strategies for these categories, so please, feel free to share them by commenting on this blog.  Even better, subscribe to our blog by clicking on the “blog info”  tab at the top right of this page and recieve the next installment automatically.

 

Until then remember to take time for yourself, breath and enjoy the planning process.  Be mindful of the fact that you are planning a wedding “day” – and no matter what happens on that “day” it will not change the fact that you reached your goal; you married the love of your life, the man of your dreams and you can now look forward to your wedding night.  A night where you will engage in the same activities that every bride before you has engaged in - you enjoyed a much deserved and long awaited nap!