A Bit of Creativity Can Save!
We all wish that we had unlimited resources to spend on a day as important as our wedding day! But the reality is that most of us have budgets. And for many of us, that budget has us whittling down the day of our dreams.
But does it have to? Here are some ideas for taming the wedding budget and maybe still have the wedding you so dreamed of!
- Consider an "off day." Saturday is the most sought-after day for weddings. Some sites and service providers offer discounts for other days of the week. You may want to ask if there is a price difference for a Friday evening or Sunday afternoon or evening wedding. Don't rule out Monday holidays either!
- Be creative and shop alternatives. You may find that reserving space at your favorite park and contracting with a rental company and a caterer could be a reasonable alternative to the outdoor wedding you wanted at a local resort. A word of caution, though -- if you decide to take a route like this, get some help! Have a trusted (and well-organized) relative or friend help you, otherwise you'll stress yourself out.
-- Tap into friends and relatives who are willing to help. Don't be afraid to ask them to add a little polish, though. To ask your cousin who sings great pop music to sing "Ave Maria" at your wedding may call for just a bit of voice coaching. But that could be less expensive than hiring a vocalist.
-- Think about online resources. Lots of wedding (and event) needs can be purchased online. Sometimes you can find substantial discounts because the online vendors have low overhead. You can get practically anything from invitations to party favors. Just shop carefully!
- Don't rule out bridal show discounts. Watch for bridal shows in your area. Oftentimes specials are offered by the service providers participating in the show. You CAN find bargains!
Hopefully this will prime the pump and you'll come up with your own ideas on how to have a dream wedding on a limited budget!