Wedding Cost-Cutting Tips

Weddings cost entirely too much money. The following will hopefully help you keep some of your hard earned dollars in your pocket, and not giving it to vendors who will be more then willing to take it. There are many Wedding Cost-Cutting ideas and these are just a sampling.

Avoid saying "Wedding" whenever you are dealing with vendors in the wedding planning process. If you can get a quote for a product you are trying to purchase or rent for your Wedding Day, you will get a much better price if they don't know that it is for your Wedding Day. This is not possible with every item (it would hard with your Wedding Gown) but with other things (such as chair rentals) they don't need to know that it is for a wedding, they just need to know how many, when and where. You might think that people are good by nature and everyone is happy for you and when they say that they are going to give you a deal because of your wedding, that they are being honest. Truth be told the "Wedding Package" typically adds 10-20% to the cost other customers would pay. So keep that it mind when trying to save money on your "big party".

Don't upgrade when you don't have to. This is a simple solution and one you probably could figure out on your own, but it is worth saying. Consider what an extra $400 could get you besides other than fancier linens. Now, I'm not saying don't get linens, but I am saying get the cheapest, nicest ones you can.

It is possible to have a fabulous reception that is not the typical sit-down meal. You can consider Brunch, Family Style, or Buffet. Each type comes with its perks.

Brunch is a unique way of offering a elegant meal- not just breakfast foods- without the expensive full-service dinner options. It also can make your Wedding stand out in the winter months as an early event that lets people get home before it gets too late.
Buffets really only work well with a top shelf caterer. It is cheaper than a sit-down meal, but maybe not the cheapest way to eat. If the caterer is not of good quality it will be to your disappointment.
Family-style is a great alternative to the other choices. It gives you the perks of a sit-down meal, with the bonus of being cheaper. The waitstaff bring all the fixings right to the table and the guest get to serve themselves. This is a great way for breaking the ice at a table of new friends and a nice way for old friends to reconnect.

Invitations can easily be a cost-cutting venture without losing quality. Do you really want to spend hundreds of dollars on an item that most people will not even keep? You can get the highest quality stock paper from your local retailer and print the invitations from home. If you don't have a good printer you can experiment with a Kinko's and have them copy the inviations for you. In this day and age you can even have a website set up to receive RSVP's and you will save money on the return postage stamped envelopes.

Florists can charge you entirely too much on your Wedding Package. First off shop around with a list of items, and find the cost of them individually. Secondly, you can go to a floral wholesaler and get twice as many flowers for half of the cost. Third if you pick certain times of year for your Wedding, Churches and Reception sites might already be decorated. Consider how many flowers you want and then get only that amount at the best price possible.

If you are lucky enough to have a Filene's Basement's "Running of the Brides", you can easily find a designer dress at a fraction of the cost. Keep in mind Wedding Gown alterations can cost hundreds more-which you might need on any dress you buy- but you might find a $9000 dress for only $249.

Guest list cutting is another easy way to save some money. Do you really need to invite your parents' kindergarten teacher? You don't have to invite your childhood friend whom you haven't seen in fifteen years. But make sure you don't start cutting family members just because you don't like hanging out with them. Friends you can cut, but you are stuck with family.

Well, hopefully some of these ideas will get you started. I am sure I will have more to come. These are many great ways to save money. Feel free to add yours through a comment.

--Mickey

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