weddingmoneysavers

July 14

Wedding Savers

    Planning a wedding can be draining.  There are details upon details to consider, each draining couples of energy and funds.  Here are a few things to consider that might help:

1. What are your priorities?What is going to make this your dream wedding?  Sit with your fiancee and each of you can make your top 5 list, then swap lists and compare notes. Maybe his list includes having the ceremony in the church where he grew up, a great party with friends, a classic car (or convertible!) to whisk you away in, and an awesome honeymoon in the islands.  You might list the gown, reciting your own vows, having the reception in a castle, and making sure there is a wedding videographer. Once you have this list, you can start to blend and formulate your perfect occasion.

2. Enlist the help of a wedding planner. No, really. It’s true, many think this is just one more expense, but in the long run a decent wedding planner will save you a ton of money and heartache. Planners can help you to negotiate a good deal, they specialize in finding things that are ‘off the beaten path’ so that your event is filled with everything YOU! They are also essential to mediate and on your special day, their main job is to take care of YOU! I’ve asked brides-to-be the question, “Who will take care of you on your wedding day?” and they usually answer ‘my mom’ or ‘my maid of honor’ or something like that.  But let’s face it, mom and maids all need to have their hair done and are worried about their dress and flowers and such, too.  They will still be able to help you, but having a wedding planner just gives everyone an extra set of hands and really allows everyone to enjoy the day (because that’s what it’s all about, even for moms and maids!)

3. Don’t eat your budget.  Don’t feel that the menu options provided by caterers are the final word on choices.  Most provide that as a starting point but would be more than happy to customize your meal. So many weddings today start with an obscenely overstuffed cocktail hour buffet, at the end of which there is tons of wasted food and your guests are so full and bloated that they won’t have room for the main course.  You could pay for all that food - most of which you will not even get a chance to see, let alone taste - and then they are throwing away, or you can reel it in a bit. During the cocktail hour, keep it simple.  Is there a certain menu that has special meaning? Maybe your first date was at a fondue party, so your cocktail hour could be fondue stations with fresh fruit and chocolate and different cheeses and breads and such to dip.  Not only does this option make your reception memorable and special to you, it can also save you a bundle. Maybe you love Chinese Take-Out, so do a little Dim-Sum to start the party, then head to the dining room for a more traditional, sit-down menu.  When it comes to desserts - you will have cake (or some variation of it) so a Viennese table is not really necessary, as guests are usually too stuffed or too busy dancing anyway.  If you think more sweets are needed, some less extravagant options include plates of candies and cookies served to each table with the coffee - think chocolate-covered strawberries for each person or a special family cookie.

4. Details add up. Do you really need cocktail napkins with your names on them? Rule of thumb: if it is disposable, don’t put your name on it! Favors and place cards and centerpieces can swallow your budget, so when you’re considering options, weigh out the napkins with the gold writing vs. having the DJ play the extra hour at the reception so you can enjoy your guests longer. Hopefully the memories you’ll make will outlast the napkins.  

5. But some details are worth it. Certain things, such as having the rights to your pictures/proofs, you’ll want to make sure are included in your price/package, or include in your budget so you have them.  Having a tip for officiants and church servers, champagne in the limousine, and pretty tissues to share with mothers-in-law all are the niceties that are worth the extra splurge.  

6. Simple, comfortable, safe. You want everything to go smoothly on your wedding day, then don’t put your new shoes on for the very first time that morning. Leave plenty of time to let nail polish dry, go with the same shampoo you always use (I know a groom who tried a new product and ended up with a rash.  Do you itch? I do.)

Your wedding will be special because it is yours, so don’t sweat the small stuff.  No one will notice if you have rhinestones on your stockings (they probably will barely see your legs!) or remember if you had studs on the buttons of your tuxedo shirt.  The more details and gadgets, the more chance there is of malfunction.  Fancy stockings still rip (and the rhinestones aren’t really comfortable), studs fall off, bows untie, and so on. Simple is elegant…. and safe.

7. The show will go on.  In the long run, only the bridal couple and those directly involved in the planning know what the outcome is supposed to be.  If you cut corners by using Uncle Ernie’s limo service, as long as he is a professional, the outcome is the same as if you paid the going rate.  Pay for things that make the day memorable, the guests feel special, and helps you meet the items on each of your top 5 lists.  At the end of the day, the bottom line is that you are Mr. and Mrs. Every thing else is just icing on the cake.

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