 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
| Keeping the wedding costs manageable. |
| DaBee passed away in 2004 but her backgrounds sets are lovely to use |
| The costs of weddings these days are costing far too much. It is not necessary to have every single little traditional thing that everyone else thinks you should use. Be individual and have the wedding you want not necessarily what tradition dictates. Keep it simple with your own special touches. Here are a few tips (read other Newsletter sections for more) that will help you curb your costs a little (or a lot). Reception costs usually make up a large proportion of the costs. Just have 1 entree choice or none at all. Serve wedding cake as dessert. One idea for the cake could be have a layer made as a rich fruit cake which you can keep for your 1st anniversary - one that will store well or freeze. The other cake layers can be something that is suitable to cut and serve as your dessert. Offer beer, wine and soft drinks at the bar, and only bring out champagne for toasts. Haggle suppliers for the best prices. Trim your guest list to a manageable level. Keep the list to special friends, and relations. Invite others to a casual get-together before or after your wedding. Remember if you have child attendants, then you are open to guests bringing along children. And children's meals add to the costs and many children are far too excited to eat at such functions. Use the skills of talented friends and relations for video services, making stationary, doing the hair and makeups, helping set up tables. Do you need to have chair covers and bonbonniere or can you leave them out. A nice table decoration to use to cut costs is to have tea-light candles in nice glassware. They burn for 4 hours, so they only need to be lit just before guests come into function room and the glasses can be used again in the household. Do you really need to hire a band or DJ. Do you have friends who could play music or play your own CD's. Schedule your ceremony during an off-peak time - maybe during the week or not at expensive holidays times. The mention of the word "wedding" sends prices much higher! You will find venues easy to get for a weekday evening, and the prices will be less expensive. Used pre-loved gowns and veils. Consider pre-loved outfits for flower girls and pageboys if you intend to have children attending. Consider the little ones just wear a lovely frock for the girl and smart trousers and shirt for the boy. Items of clothing they can wear again that won't cost the earth. Attend Bridal Expos and check out supplies and discount vouchers. You may pick up some wonderful non-expensive ideas by visiting bridal displays in your local area. Avoid stress, keep your wedding beautiful and simple, and your budget will not be blown. |