The thought of a wedding is typically closely followed by that of money. Many people tend to associate tens of thousands of dollars with a wedding ceremony and reception. While such lavish services are indeed beautiful, many couples simply do not have such money. The other side of this coin is that sometimes wedding budgets need to be balanced so additional funds can be given to one area and cut-back in another.wedding budgetA dream-come-true wedding does not have to strain your wallet. Following a few simple tips can help you establish a manageable wedding budget that sacrifices nothing in terms of celebration and memories. With the solutions provided below, you will have a successful reception that is both fun and sophisticated.
The type of bar you offer: this single element can actually save you a great deal of money. If you hold your reception at a traditional venue, consider ways to reduce your drink tab. Opt to provide guests with a house-only list of alcohol. This will substantially reduce your overall reception bill and still provide plenty of drink choices to guests. However, you will not be charged for such elite liquors as Grey Goose and Maker's Mark. Instead, the bartender(s) will only serve house liquors that are much more affordable for you. You can also elect to have a cash-only bar, where guests pay for all of their drinks except soda, tea and coffee. Such can be offset with a champagne toast, where you provide one glass of champagne to everybody during a specified toast time.
Party favors: these gifts are proper etiquette for expressing your gratitude to guests who celebrate your wedding with you. However, party favors do not have to be extravagant or expensive. You can make a lasting impression with simple but elegant favors. Such small gifts as chocolates, candles or exotic tea bags are fun and affordable. Incorporating party favors with your centerpieces is another way to eliminate additional costs. You can easily use miniature potted plants, for example, with both. Or, simply arrange a table at the reception venue where you display various wrapped chocolates and candies, and have guests select their favors from that. Beautiful packaging and tasteful gifts are really the mainstay of party favors, but do not employ an astronomical budget for either.
Skip the salon trip: although it is quite indulgent to pamper yourself with a manicure or pedicure from a paid professional, you can achieve the same results by doing both at home. Moreover, you can also elect to have your hair done at home. A friend or relative who is handy with styling tools can provide you with a fresh and affordable look. Not only will you save yourself several hundred dollars, but your guests will never tell the difference. If you are comfortable with the idea, speak to someone who is attending the wedding and ask if he or she would be available to help you prepare for the day. Another alternative is to hold a girl's night before the day of your ceremony. Have the members of your bridal party provide each other with salon-type services. You will enjoy yourself immensely, relax with friends before the big day and create a more affordable option.
Pass hors d'oeuvres instead of holding a sit-down dinner: traditional wedding receptions commonly feature a series of events with drinks, dinner and dancing. Consider a spin on your reception with passing hors d'oeuvres as opposed to the usual three-course dinner. This will save you a substantial amount of money, and your wedding will likely be more memorable to guests. Many reception halls and banquet rooms can provide you with an alternative menu that is tasteful and elegant. You will not need to sacrifice any degree of style, and the hors d'oeuvres can be fashionably served by wait staff members who pass trays. This allows you some flexibility in the flow of your reception, and you can still hold a room-wide toast where everyone sits for a few moments and celebrates your union.
Employ a photographer only for the actual wedding ceremony: many photographers charge a great deal of money for their time and services. You may be able to save substantial expenses by using a photographer only for the ceremony itself. At your reception, you can provide guests with disposable cameras, and ask that they take pictures of all memorable occurrences. With such an idea, you add more creative fun to the reception and actively engage your guests in the memories. Moreover, you will still have professional photos of your ceremony that include your friends, family and wedding party members.
Establishing a budget for a wedding can be tricky. Many different elements must be considered and planned before any purchases are actually made. The tips provided herein are intended as viable ways to reduce expenses. You can also download wedding budget spreadsheets from Internet websites. Carefully monitoring your expenses, while employing some of the ideas provided herein, will help you immensely as you plan one of the happiest days of your life.
Jeany Miller is the co-founder of Freelance Workers of America. This is an online organization dedicated to providing freelance writing services of all nature to promote personal and business growth. Please visit our website at http://www.freelanceworkersofamerica.com for additional information.
Jeany has worked as a freelance writer for two years. Her specialty is creating and editing website content. She holds a B.B.A. from Cleary University and is also a contributing author with Suite 101. Please feel free to email your comments for her to jeanymiller@rocketmail.com. wedding budget
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