5 Wedding Budget Tips

The modern bride and groom reasonably expect to pay $30,000 for their wedding day celebrations. Venue, food, entertainment, flowers, dresses, rings, cars, favours…it all adds up. The ‘Bridal Magazine Mentality’ convinces you all this stuff is essential if you’re to have any kind of ‘proper’ wedding.

But what do you really want? Do you need all this wedding stuff? Is there any reason it has to be this way, other than ‘Bridal Magazine Mentality’? I know expectations of family and friends often influence wedding decisions, but the frugal bride and groom should stand their ground.

Decide what’s important to you and your partner, and scrimp and save on the rest. No one will notice and you’ll feel financially safer and more secure. Here are five ideas for simple and alternative ways to carve the wedding budget to shreds.

1. BYO Alcohol

Find a venue that allows you to bring in your own alcohol. You’ll save thousands. The venue mark up on beer, wine and spirits often exceeds 200% of the retail price, and some venues will charge a corkage fee per bottle as well.

Community halls and historic homes often allow you to provide your own alcohol. If you keep an eye on booze specials throughout the year you can stock up in advance, and the cost won’t seem nearly as high. If you order in bulk from a local bottle store they often allow you to return unopened drinks for money back.

2. Skip the Full Meal

A full sit down dinner can cost anything from $20-200 a head. Instead, why not have a lunchtime picnic reception with cold cuts, sandwiches, cakes and scones? What about a classy cocktail and nibbles party? I’ve heard of some couples who’ve had a late ceremony – 8pm or so – followed by a desert reception. Trust me, in the midst of all that chocolate, not one guest complained about not having a full meal!

3. Buy Dresses Online

I found my dream wedding dress in a bridal shop for over $2000, resisted the urge to fork over half our wedding budget for it, went home and brought the exact same dress online for a few hundred dollars.

When buying online I can’t stress enough to have your measurements done BY A PROFESSIONAL. Also, it’s helpful to visit bridal shops and try on several styles of dresses to see what suits and what doesn’t. Try on dresses even if you hate them, because you never know what you’ll fall in love with.

4. Enlist the Help of Friends

I know you’re an independent bride (or groom) and you want to do it all yourself, but your friends and family want to help. Honestly. Your aunt the cake maker would LOVE to make the cake, your friend the fashion designer would be honoured to sew the bridesmaids dresses. Your brother’s band can’t wait to play the reception.

One of the coolest things about weddings is how everyone comes together to pull the event off. They’re much more fun as a team effort. Your friends and family love you and they want to help. Be gracious and thankful, and they will feel proud to be part of your day.

5. Look for Student Photographers

Ring up your local art school and place an ad for a student photographer. Many students relish the opportunity to shoot for their portfolio. They have access to professional equipment, darkrooms and image manipulation software. They’re enthusiastic and keen to prove themselves.

Ask to see previous work before you hire any photographer. Look at how well the photographer captures people and portrays emotions. Look at their use of colour and composition. Discuss your ideas and sign an agreement. Make sure you have all the details in writing.

When I hire any student and they do good work, I give them a letter of recommendation as a way of saying thanks. These letters are often worth more to them than money.

I hope I’ve given you some creative ideas for slicing your wedding budget. I’m sure you’ll think of hundreds more once you release yourself from the ‘Bridal Magazine Mentality’. I wish you and your partner all the best for your celebration!

Wedding Budget – Budget for Donations, Tips & Gifts for your Wedding

Although most wedding budget planners seem to cover every possible element of your day, there are several hidden costs that you will need to add in. These include things like legal fees, insurance and smaller costs such as tips, donations and gifts, all of which can soon add up to a significant portion of your overall budget.

As you progress with your wedding planning you may well find that you have an ever growing list of ‘extras’ some which may include:

• Church/religious donation: some venues may ask for a donation whilst others may just imply that one would be gratefully received. Ask politely what they amount they consider as a donation if you are in any doubt. As a guide $100-$150 is typical.

• Reception venues: some public buildings such as halls or huts or private venues such as barns, fields or gardens, may not charge you hire costs. But you may feel that giving some kind of donation would be appropriate. As a guide $50-$100.

• Car parking: if you manage to get permission for wedding guests to park their cars in private car parks or those belonging to a public building – offices, schools etc, then a donation to that building is usual. Budget around $50.

• Bridesmaids gifts: these maybe on your budget planner already. But if they are not then you will need to factor them in. These gifts do not need to be very extravagant most bride’s will give simple jewelry, books or a wristwatch. Budget $20-$30 per bridesmaid.

• Best man gift: again this might be on your planner already. Most couple’s choose something such as cufflinks to give as a best man present. Budget $30-$40.

• Parents and others gifts: it is traditional to give the mothers’ bouquets of flowers as a thank you. If you want to give both parents a gift consider a joint present such as tickets to the theatre or a restaurant meal. If you have received help from other people you may also want to arrange bouquets for them. Budget between $20-$30 per gift.

• Reception staff/bar staff: tips are normal at any venue no matter what the occasion so you may want to arrange for tips to given to the waiting staff who serve your wedding breakfast. You can delegate the best man to take charge of this using cash. The amount you give will depend on the number of staff employed on the day. As a guide $50-$100.

• Taxis: have some cash available should you need to hire a cab to take guests home, particularly those who become slightly worse for wear as the day wears on! Budget about $5-$10 although you may need more if you have to bribe the cab driver to take them or even have to pay their fare!