Wedding Budget Savers

Imagine the next time you join a discussion about wedding budgets. When you start sharing the fascinating wedding budgets facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed.

Almost every couple struggles to stay within a budget for their wedding day.  Here are a few tips to help you cut back on spending without cutting back on class.

To save on flowers, have a December wedding.  Usually hotels, reception sites, and churches are already beautifully decorated which keeps expenses low.  Also look into historic homes for a more intimate setting.  Consider having your wedding, reception or both at a local garden club or botanical garden.  Both will offer a beautiful setting all year long, and your decorating expenses will be low.  For a more intimate setting, consider a pretty bed and breakfast.

It is difficult to save on photography costs because you don’t want to skimp on such an important and timeless item.  Your formal portrait should be taken by a professional photographer and not by a friend or relative.  Since photographers usually charge partly based on hourly rate, consider sending them on their way following the ceremony.

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there's more to wedding budgets than you may have first thought. 

Scatter disposable cameras on tables at the reception with cards asking your guests to take pictures.  Provide a well-marked basket by the exit for your guests to drop the used cameras in when they leave.  Have your families and bridal party make certain that guests understand this.

If a friend or relative does offer to take pictures, thank them, and suggest that they take photos at the reception.  You could offer to pay for film and/or developing.  You should make sure to get the negatives so you can order your own enlargements and reprints.

One of your biggest expenses will be the reception.  A buffet is less expensive than a seated dinner, but have you considered something unique, such as a picnic, barbeque or afternoon tea?  While you will save money if you have a Christmas wedding, many venues up their prices, especially for a Friday or Saturday night. Consider a Sunday wedding since this is usually an ‘off’ day for most restaurants and clubs.

Try to prepare some of the food yourself.  Cook ahead and freeze some items.  Have family members cook up some family favorites with secret recipes.  These will be sure to please every guest in attendance.
 
There's no doubt that the topic of wedding budgets can be fascinating. If you still have unanswered questions about wedding budgets, you may find what you're looking for in the next article. 

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