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by: Shawn Hickman
In Our Store
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Celebrate
Simply
Your Guide to Simpler, More Meaningful
Holidays and Special Occasions |
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Your wedding dress:
- Start shopping right away. You won't feel rushed or pressured
into buying something, and you'll be able to shop smart.
- Simple plain dresses are usually less expensive then the
ones with lace, pearls/beads etc..
- You could buy a plain dress and add lace, beads etc.. yourself.
Or get someone to do it for you.
- Rent or borrow a dress. If you like your mother`s, sister`s
or friends dress ask them if you could borrow it. But don`t be offended if
they
refuse as a wedding dress is very sacred to most women.
- Look around second hand shops/charity shops. You`ll be surprised
at the amount they get given, and they are usually inexpensive.
The venue:
Book the ceremony/reception well in advance you may be able
to negotiate a better price then you would if you left it to the last minute.
Have your wedding on off-peak months. November to April
rates will probably be reduced. Christmas weddings are more expensive though
so if you are planning a Christmas wedding you will have to cut your finances.
Instead of a grand ballroom or banquet hall, think less-expensive
venues, like publicly owned buildings and parks, registry office, the church
or temple hall, the backyard, the beach, a restaurant's private room. You
may have to get a permit to marry in a public place, but it will be less than
a private banquet room.
Catering:
Look around for caterers. Get different quotes before you
decide on one.
Choose cheaper entrees, like prawns instead of lobster,
vegetables like broccoli instead of asparagus will cut the cost, too.
Cut down on courses. If you're having a cocktail hour, do
you really need an appetizer course? Do you need soup and salad?
Instead of waiter service, have a buffet bar.
Think ethnic! Mexican, Indian, Italian, or Chinese food
is fun and much cheaper per person than the traditional wedding menu. See
if your favorite restaurant caters.
If you are having a themed wedding create your menu around
the theme.
Have the wedding cake only as dessert and eliminate any
other sweets (eclairs, pastries, etc.).
Consider a wedding breakfast or brunch (omelettes, muffins,
pancakes, French toast), or a tea (a variety of tea flavors, finger sandwiches,
scones and jams, etc.) to save money.
The more tiers and decorations your cake has the more expensive
it will be.
Buy your own drink it will work out a lot cheaper then paying
the caterers or venues prices.
Photos:
- Compare hourly fees and package deals to see which is more
cost-effective for you.
- Give disposable cameras as wedding favours. Then you can
get copies of the days events from family and friends.
- Have a professional photographer take the formal pictures
and shoot the ceremony; have guests take all reception photos.
- Visit your local college`s photography department and check
out some of the students' portfolios. They will do your photography a lot
cheaper and just as good as a professional
- Ask friends and family to video the big day for you.
Flowers:
- Use flowers that are in season and/or locally grown they're
less expensive than out-of-season flowers that must be shipped to your area.
- Have bouquet with just a few large flowers, like orchids,
tulips, lilies, or sunflowers, tied with a ribbon.
- If you are marrying at Christmas or Easter, your church
may already be decked out beautifully.
- Arrange to share the cost of ceremony decorations with the
couple marrying directly before or after you that day.
- Use silk or dried flowers instead of fresh ones in table
centerpieces.
 Music:
DJs are less expensive than live bands.
Ask a family member or friends child to sing at the reception.
Hire music for the evening reception only. People are usually
to busy chatting to notice any way.
Ask at the local college/university for young musicians.
Invitations:
Send invitations that are light enough when completely assembled
to require only a single stamp for mailing.
Make your own invitation cards. They are cheaper and more
personal.
If you are having a themed wedding make cards to do with
the theme.
Transportation:
Limousines are cheap enough to hire for an hour. Find out
in advance how long the ceremony will take.
Only hire a limo for the bride and groom; have attendants
driven in relatives' cars, or have them drive themselves in groups.
You might be able to hire a horse and carriage for just
as less. Check the Yellow pages for any in your area.
We hope these are of some use to you. Good luck!
Other articles you may find interesting:
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