Joe Palladino asked:
Wedding Favors are to symbolize the true celebration of ever lasting love and marriage. Even more its a part of a standing tradition, an acceptance of a wedding tradition where reception guest party favors are as much a part of the wedding ceremony as the marriage and legality itself. Wedding favors are a part of marriage as is marriage a part of unique wedding favors.
Anyone who has ever planned a wedding knows that, no matter how much or how little help they received, the joys and tears are definitely a part of the experience.
Perhaps the most frustrating thing about planning a wedding comes in the financial arena. As a soon-to-be bride, florists, wedding planners, photographers are known to jack up the prices. It’s not simply a case of getting everyone in place with their dresses and tuxes done up just right. It’s really a budget battle all the way through, especially if you are on a tight budget in the first place.
One area of wedding planning that seems to get a lot of negative hype is with photography. Most anybody is willing to pay the extra money to have their special day turn out just right. And unfortunately, most photographers know it. Many will charge a lump sum to simply show up, that could be as high as $5,000, in some cases higher. Solid advice is to avoid those who claim to have reasonably priced services yet still tack on a hefty fee like this. Prices for a photographer’s services can range drastically, and references from people you know could be a welcomed piece of mind in your wedding planning.
Caterers, dresses, tuxedos – the three call rule is definitely solid advice here. Getting three estimates and talking to people who have used these companies’ services is the way to go. But beyond finances, wedding planning also involves the bringing together of both families. Now more than ever, the bride and the groom’s families are involved in wedding planning, and having too many cooks in the kitchen giving their input on the way things “should” be at your wedding can cause unneeded stress for both bride and groom. The two things to remember here are to keep a cool head, remember what “you” want for your special day and a little compromise probably won’t kill you.
For many, hiring a wedding planner to plan their wedding can be a saving grace. For others, a wedding planner has been a nightmare, and they feel they threw away money for services they could have done themselves. When wedding planning, you may want to ask yourself if you really need a wedding planner. If so, think ahead of what you will need them to do, and be clear then hold them to your expectations.
Some have found that, with the Internet, there is so much information for wedding planning and so many resources available, regardless of the budget, that planning a wedding can easily done without an actual wedding planner. However, some who may be having a very large, or high profile, wedding may need one.
BAIR
Comments Off
Janet R. asked:
Getting married is one of the most important and special day of soon-to-be brides and grooms. Many opt to set a specific budget as to they want to save their money for some reasons. But the thing here is, to have a budget wedding does not mean to compromise the quality of wedding you will be having. It’s all up to you on how to make a memorable wedding and how smart you plan for it.
There are many options on how to cut cost of your wedding expenditures. However, there are few things you should consider so that the quality of your wedding will not be sacrificed.
Your wedding venue should not cost you a fortune. If you think you could save money by having your wedding in your house, then feel free to plan for it. Just make sure your house is comfortable enough to gather around as well as can accommodate a number of guests. Of course, you don’t want to provide uncomfortable space for your guests, rather a good one so that they would stay longer. After all, how could your wedding day become memorable if your guests will be leaving too early? And finally, try to find good matching venue to your theme. You would find that in some days or time, the price could be lower.
Another thing you need to consider is your wedding photography and/or videography. If you are on a tight budget, you don’t wan to pay a professional photographer or videographer thousands of dollar just for photos. You can cut cost of your wedding photos by asking a friend or relative to take your wedding pictures, however, this is not always a good idea. But if you really want to cut your budget but still want to have quality photos that will re-live your special day, you may try asking around from some photography clubs. You might get few members out there who really have passion in photography and won’t mind to give you lower prices. It is always a good practice to pay them first to do your pre-wedding pictures or videos. If you are satisfied with their work, you can contact them again for your wedding day.
Wedding flowers can be very expensive also. Try to ask professional florist on how much will it cost you for wedding flower arrangements. I bet you will get shocked when it could cost you $700 and up. You might buy from flower vendors instead for they could charge you very cheap, but be careful of vendors that will show you a good sample of flowers because they might arrange some ”not fresh” ones for your wedding day. Surprisingly, you can save money here buy ordering the flowers that are in season. Or, you can have a garden wedding without adding more budgets to flower decorations.
Lastly, you might also thought of cutting expenses for wedding gifts and favors. It is not mandatory for to buy expensive gifts for your attendants. You are free to give inexpensive bridesmaids gifts and groomsmen gifts, as well as affordable wedding favors for your guests.
REICHERT
Comments Off
Suzanne E Morrison asked:
Wedding planning can be difficult enough, but if you are on a tight budget, it can be even more challenging. In this article you’ll find some tips for making sure that you have a great day without spending more than your budget allows.
1. Get a firm budget. If you know upfront how much money is available to spend this will allow you to plan a more detailed budget. Just find out what is needed for the wedding, then break the list down with the budget. This way you won’t go over. You also have to remember things like the dress, the fee for the minister or registrar, a church donation, decorations for the ceremony and reception venue, the cake and a wedding planner if needed.
2. Be sure to phone round more than one supplier to get prices. If you know how much the client or you can afford call around to different places and get estimates. This will help you break down the list in number one of all of the items needed for the wedding.
3. Start with what you NEED. For example you need to find a venue for the wedding ceremony and reception, flowers, a cake, a dress and more. But remember you can get a dress at a discount if you shop several stores. You can get married at the same place as your reception. A member of the family or several members can help with the cake, the food and beverages.
4. Ask for help. As mentioned above you can also get friends and family members to help you. You might know a seamstress that can help with the dress. You might be able to borrow or rent tuxedos for the wedding instead of buying them. Someone might babysit any children during times you need as a present for the wedding. You might even be able to barter to get a limo to drive you from the wedding to the reception.
5. Plan ahead. One of the biggest ways to save is to start early. If you start looking for a dress early enough, for example, during the sales, you may be able to get your dream dress at a discounted price. You can get cheaper rates for venues if you plan ahead about a year. This way you won’t end up spending more money because you are booking at the last minute. Remember those who do the wedding such as ministers and such have vacations and other things they must do so be sure to find a minister ahead of time.
6. Have fun. Planning a wedding, if it is your own, won’t be something you will do again. Enjoy the wedding planning and remember that not everything will go to plan. In this world, nothing is ever perfect, so if something goes wrong on the day, remember the most important thing – you are marrying the person that you love.
CHILDERS
Comments Off
Diane Castro asked:
Finding wedding dresses on a budget is not a hard process…you just have to know where to look. Although they may be the most logical place for you to look first, you probably won’t be able to find the best prices in town at your local bridal dress shops. The question is where do I start looking?
Here are the Top 18 Ways to Help You Save Money on Your Wedding Dress:
1. Shop on Ebay – Ebay is a terrific place for the bargain hunter looking for wedding dresses but remember to always read the descriptions carefully and pay attention to how much the seller is charging for shipping and handling fees.
2. Order From the Internet – There are a number of fine online bridal merchants that offer unbeatable prices.
3. Dicker Over the Price – Sometimes local bridal shops will match prices that you find online, BUT you have to ask.
4. Buy “Off the Rack” – You can find some stores such as David’s and BridesMart in the U.S. that offer a good selection of moderately priced dresses with in stock sizes of 2 to 24.
5. Check the Classifieds – Be sure to check your local newspaper classifieds or online ad service such as Kijiji.
6. Shop in the Department Stores – Another great place to look for wedding dresses on a budget. Don’t discount places such as Sear’s and JCPenney. They often times carry a few budget wedding dresses for unbeatable prices.
7. Get It Made – If you have fallen in love with a dress that costs over $1000, you could perhaps consider having a custom copy made for you by a talented local seamstress.
8. Sew It Yourself – If you are a good sewer (or know a friend or relative who is) you can consider making the gown yourself.
9. Buy a “Sample Gown” – Another great source for wedding dresses on a budget is buying a sample gown. You just might occasionally go into your local bridal shop and find a rack of gowns on sale.
10. Wear Your Mom’s Dress or Borrow a Dress – Even if it is a little out of style or date, you would be surprised at how well a talented seamstress could jazz up a vintage gown.
11. Order a Bridesmaid dress or Less Formal Gown – Many bridesmaids’ gowns can be ordered in white. You can easily find a beautiful, less-formal wedding dress this way.
12. Vintage Clothing Shops – Wedding dresses can also be found at vintage clothing shops.
13. Outlet Stores – Yes, there are bridal outlet stores for bridal designers and retailers that can offer you substantial savings on wedding dresses.
14. Fabric Swap – If your perfect gown is made of silk, ask if it comes in other more affordable fabric.
15. Travel to Another City/State/Province/Country – Combine a smaller town with other savings such as lower sales tax or favorable exchange rates.
16. Hire a Student – If you have a fashion school or college nearby, you might just be able to hire a student to make your wedding dress for you.
17. Charity Sales – You can also find wedding dresses on a budget by checking out charity sites such as Brides Against Breast Cancer.
18. Rent a Wedding Dress – Rental prices can range from $100 to $600 with deposit required and the gowns are professionally cleaned after each rental and can be altered to fit (check with each rental shop).
So you see, there’s 18 Ways to Finding Wedding Dresses on a Budget…although you want to look your best on your wedding, you certainly don’t want to pay more than you have to on a dress that you are going to wear for just a few hours!
Happy Bargain Hunting!
SPEARMAN
Comments Off
Gillian Cooper asked:
Planning a wedding has never been more exciting. Today’s weddings aren’t what they used to be as many extra avenues are now open to more people than there once was. Inexpensive travel, cheaper hotel rates, and access to once remote locations can make that special occasion one to remember.
Adventure and excitement for your wedding day may sound romantic, but there are more things to consider when planning a wedding. Location will more then likely be one of the most important decisions to make. If planning a wedding halfway across the world, will it be a place that friends and family will be able to have access to? Some people have held weddings while sky diving from an airplane. This may once again seem adventurous, but is it a place where your grandmother and grandfather will be able to share in the festivities? So, an important factor when doing your destination wedding planning is to consider the people that you would like to be there. If it’s important for the grandparents to attend, it may be better to save the sky diving for the honeymoon, or save it for a pre or post wedding event. If you’re unsure of where you would want your wedding to be, or if you’re unsure about what is available in a certain area, you can check out a wedding planning web site. There are many out there and their sole purpose is to provide you with information to help plan your wedding.
Once a suitable location is selected that caters to the needs of the bride, groom, and guests it is time for the wedding event planning. Wedding events can be catering, music, transportation and other activities. If you are having a wedding in a new location or you’re just not familiar with what may be available in your native area you may wish to consult some wedding planning guides. These can be lists available off the internet, out of a phone book, or you may wish to consult a professional wedding planner in the chosen area. A wedding planner can also help with travel plans, hotel bookings, and handling any odds and ends that may need to be addressed. Remember to try and plan events that everyone can enjoy to help make that special day memorable for everyone.
No wedding planning would be complete without those wedding vows. Some people still choose to write their own vows while others simply go with the more traditional vows. Wedding vows planning can be an important part of the wedding adding or taking away intimacy from the event. A favorite poem or simple words of commitment, respect, and love can be shared and can make all the difference in the ceremony.
Wedding planning can take time and a lot of effort. It’s important to realize the experience you wish to create and make sure that everything remains affordable at the same time. Keeping guests in mind whilst planning can save time and money and also ensure that a full list of guests attend. If however you are looking for that romantic get away for two, there are many non traditional paths to take as well. The important part when planning your wedding is to make sure that the bride and groom are happy with their decisions and that they make them together.
FORT
Comments Off
Kiddy asked:
My sister is having a wedding and my, mom, and my other sister and I are planning it for her. I wanted to know if anyone has had any experience with wedding planning if they can give us a few tips and pointers.
OTT
Supermommy!!! asked:
What do you think is the most important stuff to focus your money on when planning on a tight budget? I’ve been to weddings that were on a budget and thought they spent the money in the wrong places. For instance one I went to spent all the money on the food and didn’t have any decorations at all. Another was all decorations and little food. I’d like to have a happy middle. I found a place that I can get a nice cake at and I figure to save money we can have the cake be nice but a little smaller and use sheet cakes which are cheaper for the rest. We also plan on inviting just a few friends and mostly family. I’ve also seen people on a budget make the mistake of inviting everyone they have ever met and when all the people decided to come they were screwed because they really couldn’t afford that many but had to feed and find a place big enough for all of them. If you had a cheap wedding where you did most of the stuff yourself or found ways to cut corners but still had a wedding that looked like a million bucks let me know what you did. Also if you have pictures that would be great. Thanks.
I want the type of wedding where people go wow this must have cost a ton how did they afford it all and then when they find out the price are like wow there is no way you could have done all this for that cheap. I’m pretty much like that with everything. I’m a cheap shopper and love to find deals.
The one I’m referring to about the all food no decorations deal the meal was over $16 a person (they told us that) so I figured they could have cut down to say $12 a person and had a few candles or flowers or something. The place wasn’t really pretty so it was kind of blah otherwise. Plus they way over guessed on the people and had enough leftovers for about a week for themselves and sent stuff home with all of us too (we had at least three days). The bottom layer of the cake wasn’t even touched. If they would have planned better they wouldn’t have wasted money on all the extra food and cake and could have had a few decorations.
DOHERTY
