When planning a wedding ceremony & reception, there are numerous ways the budget can spiral out of control. Happy couples dreaming of saying "I Do" often times don't realize that the roasted chicken dinner for their reception guests will cost them upwards of $40 per person. YIKES! Whether your wedding budget is $15,000 or $50,000 here are some helpful ways to get the most bang for your buck.
TIP #1: Use what you've got to get what you want.
You know what you want your wedding to look and feel like, but creating it on your budget may present some challenges. When planning your decor, always take full stock of what your venue has to offer. Many times you can get linens, place settings, and even centerpieces that coordinate with your decor as part of your rental fee.
TIP #2: Reuse and Recycle.
We recently did a wedding reception where the head table & cake tables needed floral decor, but it was not in the budget. Enter the planners: we hung around after the ceremony to grab some beautiful arrangements that had been attached to the pews. These colorful gems made a repeat appearance on the reception tables, and the guests were none the wiser. We also had the maid of honor & bridesmaids place their bouquets on the head table. This gave us an opportunity to enhance the decor, and it gave the bridal party a place to unload the bouquets without feeling guilty.
TIP #3: Buy locally.
One hidden cost of planning is delivery & set-up fees. Renting linens from a company in California for a wedding in Georgia could tack on $200 or more in shipping costs. If you want to get around those types of costs, always look for local suppliers first. Depending on how extravagant your needs, or how unique the items are, you can probably get them in your neck of the woods. Even if the cost per item appears to be more with your local supplier, remember that your cost savings from the cross-country vendor will quickly disappear once shipping is tacked on.
TIP #4: Cut the Fluff.
Favors and programs and placards...OH MY! You want your guests to have something to remember the big day by. Completely understandable. Just try not to go overboard. Technically, if they received a customized invitation, your guests already have a favor. Although they may look great on the table, many of the favors that brides & grooms spend hundreds of dollars on are left on the table or get thrown away. Spend that money on something the guests will really appreciate (such as the bar).
TIP #5: Keep it Simple.
The more elaborate the event structure, the more it will cost you. People tend to doubt this, but it's proven true time & again. If you plan to rent coordinating linens, but you also want two cake tables, two gift tables and a table to display a matted picture...guess what? You need linens for all those. Likewise, if you are going with formal, assigned seating, you will be forced to buy some sort of placard or table card so guests know where they should be. Try not to complicate more than you have to, and it will surely help you keep your costs down.
The best tip we can offer to anyone planning their wedding is this: hire a professional planner. They would be able to tell you all these tips and more. In addition, planners normally receive trade discounts and wholesale pricing. In some cases, the money a planner will save you can completely offset the cost of hiring them. Of course, the biggest upside is that you get to sit back & relax while someone else manages all the details. You can't put a price tag on that!
