Bridal Tips for Budgeting

As most bride's are on a budget, you can save money by doing several things:

DO's:
~Plan your wedding outside of "high season"- In the fall or winter venues can come at cheaper prices, and with the holiday season decorations may already be provided (wreaths, candles, Christmas/twinkle lights, etc.)

~Ask people you know who are skilled at certain tasks rather than booking an expensive vendor. For instance, if your Uncle Clive is really good at photographry, see if he'll do your engagement photos. If they turn out great, you may ask if he'll do the wedding day photography. Or maybe your cousin is a great baker, see if she could do the wedding cake. She could have a trial run at it first, and see how the bridal shower cake turns out.

~Haggle on price and inclusions before signing a contract. Right now with the economic crisis, vendors are desperate to book brides, as much as you are desperate to save money. Although they may stand firm on the price, see if they'll throw in some extras for free. (i.e. - the caterer might give an extra free appetizer or free carbonated beverages, the photographer could give you a print album AND a CD of all the pictures taken, the reception site might throw in some added decor they own like candles, lights, mirrow squares, hurrican glasses, etc.)

~When talking to vendors (like the reception site) just say you are throwing a party for x amount of guests, what would the rental space cost? Sometimes prices are skyrocketted just because it's for a wedding.

~If you have a year or more before the wedding, see if the decor you want for that particular season goes on sale right as that time is ending. For instance, I had a winter wedding, and as soon as New Year's/Valentine's rolled around all the winter decor went on sale, so I was able to purchase it a year out, store it in the basement, and then I had great looking, cheap decor at the ceremony and reception.

DO NOT's:
~Don't ask people to give money only as a present. Wedding registries are acceptable as a way to show people the items you would like, but saying you only want money is tacky and holds no class. If you need money only, prehaps revisiting the wedding budget would be in order. Remember you can always return items after the wedding if it is necessary.

~Don't throw a pot-luck wedding. Guests should not be expected to bring a gift AND their own food. If the budget is tight on the food portion, look into doing an appetizer buffet or check other caterer's prices.

~Don't let the wedding stress you out. The budget is there as a guideline, so that after the wedding you don't stress about being broke with your spouse. Remember, the wedding lasts one day, but the marriage will last a lifetime. Start it off on the right foot!