Wedding Budgeting – Top 10 Ways To Save Money

Top 10 Ways to Save Money
By Patti Herioux

With Love, Event Planner
-

-

1. Opt for Off Peak!

The busiest season for the wedding market in Chicagoland is between April and November. By getting married in the winter months you may be able to take advantage of lower minimums or discounted package prices. If you can’t imagine a winter wedding, but you still want to save a few bucks, go for any day other than Saturday. The most common secondary days are Friday and Sunday.

2. DIY – If you are the slightest bit crafty, or have crafty bridesmaids, you can take on some Do-It-Yourself projects to save cash. Invitations, programs, place cards, etc. can all be part of a fun girls night!

3. Shop Online Shopping online is sometimes shunned by bridal vendors, but the world wide web gives you access to many reputable vendors that can save you big bucks! From dresses to toasting flutes!

4. Hire a Planner You are probably wondering how you save money by hiring yet another vendor. Wedding planners have connections and vendors they work with regularly that give their clients price breaks or incentives. Not only will a good planner save you money, but they will save you time!

5. Cut Your Guest List Between you, your fiancé and both sets of parents the guest list tends to grow out of control. Consider who is on that list and cut all that aren’t essential and important to you!

6. Book a Package Deal When you start to book your vendors consider all they have to offer. For instance, if a DJ also offers ambient lighting and a photo booth and you want all those items, book a combination package. A package price will usually merit a discount and hiring one company to come over three will definitely be more cost efficient.

7. Use In Season Flowers You may have dreams of delicate lily of the valley or fields of poppies, but consider the season. Ask your florist what flowers are most affordable for the time of year of your wedding and use those blooms. Keep the unusual or exotic to the bride’s bouquet only.

8. Forgo the Traditional Centerpiece Flowers are most common for centerpieces, but don’t limit yourself to just that option. Candles can be every bit as impactful at a fraction of the price. Another option would be to use your favors as centerpieces. Think outside the box!

9. Recycle, Reduce, Reuse Going back to the fact that you are probably one in your group of friends getting married, consider what you can pass along. Did your friend have a veil you loved? Also, contact your church and ask if there are any weddings on the same day as yours. Talk to the other bride about sharing church flowers.

10. Dance to a DJ When it comes to picking your reception entertainment, some options come with a heftier price tag than others. Hire a DJ to dance the night away to instead of a full band. A full band will not only cost more to hire, but also consider the price of vendor meals and gratuities for one verses many.

…and a Few Places to Spend Money

1. Photography Those pictures will hang on your walls for years to come. Spend a few extra dollars to get the quality you want. Your wedding album will be one of your most precious memories, choose your photographer wisely!

2. Entertainment Most brides and grooms will say it is a priority to have a fun party that goes all night. Your brother’s friend in the corner with his I-Pod and strobe light isn’t a good formula to start that fun. Spring for a knowledgeable and experienced wedding DJ or Band that can read the crowd and keep the party hoping.

If your guests leave early because the music is bad, you’ve wasted a lot of money on food and beverage.

3. Videography Many couples debate on if they should hire a videographer. When budget gets tight it is usually one of the first things to go. But think about this, in 40 years wouldn’t it be great to sit down with your kids and watch your wedding video?

4. Linens Picture this, your wedding reception with tables and tables of white, cotton linens. Now picture this, your wedding reception with tables of luscious satin, custom colored linens. Enough said.

5. Day of Coordinator You’ve spent an average of 250 hours planning your wedding, it’s time to let go and enjoy! By hiring a day of coordinator (or having a wedding planner) you will be able to live in every blissful moment of your wedding day, focused on your fiancé and the fun, while she runs the behind the scenes. With all the money you’ve spent, make sure you give yourself the opportunity to enjoy it!

Show Me the Money

Wedding Budgeting
By Patti Herioux
With Love, Event Planner

Before you take a hammer to your piggy bank take a moment to design a budget that will serve as your financial advisor in your wedding planning process. Be sure to be realistic about what you can afford. You can download a sample Chicago wedding budget here to give you an idea of what percentages to allocate to each area and how much you can expect to spend based on the average cost of a Chicago wedding.
Read more