Bride on a budget: How to cut wedding expenses
The proposal was perfect. The good news has been shared. The perfect wedding is pictured ... now what?
Many couples find themselves in the same boat when it comes to wedding plans — how do they find the money to have their dream wedding?
The good news is that with just a bit of creativity, couples can have their dream wedding without breaking the bank.
If large, beautiful flower arrangements, or perhaps a towering cake, are part of the dream, there are inexpensive ways to make that happen.
If including hundreds of friends and family are part of the dream, that can also be a reality if well planned. Here are a few tips to make it all happen.
FLOWERS
—use in-season flowers
—add silk
—make bouquets personally
—utilize a flower market
To cut costs on flowers, start with seeking flowers that are in season. This will immediately cut costs from a florist.
Another way to cut flower costs, but get a desired look, is to add silk flowers to arrangements or bouquets. Many couples opt to use all silk, however just adding silk can create larger arrangements at a fraction of the cost. If going this route, search for flowers that look real and can be easily blended.
Utilizing a flower market or making bouquets and arrangements personally can also help cut floral expenses.
CAKE
—add tiers with styrofoam
—serve sheet cake
—break tradition
In order to cut costs on cake, couples first must establish what is most important — flavor, size, shape?
If a big, towering cake is part of the perfect wedding couples have pictured, try adding extra tiers of frosted styrofoam. Many bakers will happily participate in this and allow couples to get the large, tiered cake effect without paying for additional layers of actual cake.
Couples can also opt for a smaller “couples” cake to cut for one another, while serving their guests sheet cake.
If couples are uncertain about the look of sheet cakes, cake can always be cut and served from the back.
Try breaking tradition and delighting guests with something different and unique. For example, serve cupcakes in lieu of a large cake. Many couples are even following trends that include donuts, cookies or ice cream sundae bars.
VENUES
—seek alternative locations
—consider an alternative time of day or season
When searching for the perfect venue, seek locations that do not typically host weddings, such as libraries, museums, or ranches. These locations may be more willing to negotiate rates than an established wedding venue.
Couples looking to cut expenses can also consider alternate days or times, such as morning or mid week, or even off season.