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Weddings, even those with many attendants and guests, need not break the bank of either the happy couples’ parents or the couple’s. There are many ways to cut corners when planning a wedding. These are small adjustments that will never be noticed and will not make the wedding look like it was accomplished on a shoestring.
If you live in or near a large city, it is even easier to cut costs when planning your wedding. The first, and sometimes the major expense of a wedding is the wedding attire. If you aren’t wearing an heirloom dress passed down through your family, check other sources for discounted wedding dresses. Craig’s List is one resource you can use if you don’t mind wearing a used dress. Keep in mind, a “used” dress was worn only once for probably a few hours. You may find the dress of your dreams for a fraction of the price you’d pay in a retail bridal shop. Even places like Goodwill and the Salvation Army Thrift Stores carry absolutely beautiful wedding gowns for a fraction of the price you’d pay anywhere else.
Consider buying the underwear for your bridal ensemble at a retail store, such as J.C. Penney. There you can often find the exact same bustiers, slips, petticoats, garter belts, stockings and waist cinchers for much smaller prices than if you ordered them from the same store in which you bought your dress.
If you are dealing with a retail bridal shop for your dress, ask the proprietor about dresses she may have that she’d be willing to sell at a discounted price. Sometimes dresses are rejected or returned for one reason or another. Some bridal shops take dresses they’ve sold back on a consignment basis. They may not tell you that information up front unless you specifically ask them. The same is true for wedding attendant’s frocks. If you are having only one or two attendants, you may be able to save on dresses that are on consignment with the shop.
Another way to cut some fat from your wedding budget is to plan double duty for your flower arrangements. Talk to your florist about arrangements that can decorate the church during the ceremony, and then be moved to the reception hall to decorate the cake table, the bride’s table or other uses. If you are open-minded to the idea of silk arrangements, ask your florist if they are available in the flowers and colors you are planning. Sometimes silk arrangements can shave a considerable amount from your florist bill. Be aware, too, there is a new style of flowers for wedding attendants. These are wristlets. They are flowers that are fastened to the attendant’s wrist or styled to dangle from her wrist. Because wristlets need fewer flowers, they are usually more economical. Don’t be shy in asking your florist to suggest ways you can trim your floral budget. Sometimes just adding greenery to the arrangements on the altar and subtracting flower stems can save lots of money. Also, get at least three estimates for the cost of your flowers. It may be tedious to visit three florists’ shops, but it could wind up saving you hundreds of dollars.
Where you hold the reception can be a huge money saver. Most churches have an activities room or have arranged the church basement to accomodate wedding receptions. Some churches charge a modest fee for the use of their recreation hall, others do not. Most church recreation areas have a full line kitchen. Once again, this can save you hundreds of dollars. Instead of having your reception catered, consider having finger foods made by your family. Many times your aunts, cousins and friends would be more than willing to prepare and serve and the food for your reception as their wedding gift to you. If you buy the food for your wedding in bulk from a restaurant supply store, that’s more money you can keep in your pocket. Buying one package of five hundred frozen cocktail meatballs from a restaurant supply outlet is much cheaper than buying ten packages of fifty meatballs from your local grocery store. The same is true for all of the finger food you might like to serve at your reception. With aunts, cousins and friends warming things up in rented chafing dishes and serving, you can have a very modestly priced reception with lots of good food to keep your guests in a happy mood.
Just as you should get prices from more than one florist, you should do the same regarding your wedding cake. No doubt you have in mind the exact cake you’d like to have. But being a bit flexible in the style department might save you money. Also, ask your cake maker if it might be cheaper to have several small cakes and one larger one, rather than one huge elaborate cake. Often, because of the labor of assembling a huge cake, they are much more expensive than the smaller version. Yet, one large cake, surrounded by several smaller cakes can be done very artfully, very tastefully, and sometimes much more cheaply than one huge cake. Get estimates from at least three cake makers. Ask to see pictures of cakes they’ve made. Professional cake decorators will have books full of pictures of their cakes to show you.
Gifts for your attendants need not be either expensive or elaborate. Silver jewelry is much in vogue now and reasonably priced. A simple chain bracelet with a heart dangling pendant and with a personal message engraved is a wonderful, sentimental gift without a high price tag. Porcelain boxes with a theme of friendship are also a good choice. Inside you could tuck a note to your attendant about how much you appreciated her participation in your special day.
Wedding favors need not be expensive or elaborate to polish off your reception tables. Putting thought into what you place on the tables is much more important than how expensive the keepsakes are. Since fewer people smoke, matchbooks with engraved names and dates are out. Small silver frames, perhaps with the bride and groom’s engagement photo, or just a piece of parchment in the frame with your names and date printed on them make nice favors. Bookmarks, either metal or laminated, are very popular and inexpensive. Remember, don’t plan to purchase a favor for each guest. Men and boys won’t be interested in them as a keepsake, and some of the women and girls won’t be interested in them, either. A good rule of thumb is to order about half as many favors as you are expecting reception guests.
A beautiful way to celebrate your leavetaking at the church is with a balloon release rather than a rice throw, bubbles, or streamers. The balloons can be blown up with a helium tank the night before and reflect the colors of your wedding. It is even possible to order personalized balloons. Each guest is given a balloon when they leave the church. The bride and groom leave the church last, and as they stand at the top of the steps or on the porch, everyone can say, “Congratulations!” and release the balloons. There is no clean-up afterward and it makes for a great photo opportunity.
These are just a few of the many ways you can cut costs and still have a breathtaking wedding. Work with the season in which the wedding will be held, get more than two estimates, and keep an open mind about small changes.
The above is a random extract from Associated Content, visit Associated Content for the actual writer of this article.