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| Spending Too
Much On Your Wedding? |
| Here Are Some Quick Ways To Salvage Your Wedding Budget |
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Your
wedding is one of the most important days
of your life, and of course you want to
splurge a little to make it special. But
sticking to your budget is important too,
especially if you don't want to start
your life together neck-deep in debt.
The first step is to identify what's
most important to you, spend on what
matters, and cut corners on the things
that don't. This differs from bride
to bride. Some ask a friend to take
the pictures but spend an open bar and
a big band-others want professional
photographs, and schedule a lunch reception
because it's less expensive than a dinner
menu.
If you're not sure what your priorities
are, ask yourself these questions: what
do I want to remember about the wedding?
Is it "my guests had the time of
their life" or "I had the
dress of my dreams"? Take your
cue from there.
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Also, buy a notebook and write down all your
expenses related to the wedding, and have all
your receipts in a file. Aside from the obvious
costs like ordering the invitations, don't forget
the incidental expenses like having all of them
mailed. Every month, review your tally of costs
with your fiancée. If you find that you
have gone over your budget, then rein the expenses
in.
Here are some ways you can cut corners:
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Flowers - Explore
other ways of decorating the church or reception
tables: Seashells, scented candles, balloon
bouquets. Always use flowers that are in season.
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Photography and
Videography - Don't order the wedding
album or frame-you can do this yourself at
a later time, when you're not as deluged with
expenses. You can ask a friend to do the videography,
or approach a college or university film club.
Most film students would be happy for a chance
to earn a little extra on a weekend, and won't
charge as much as a professional cameraman.
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Reception -
Adjust the time of your reception so you can
serve brunch or tea instead of lunch or dinner.
You can also order separate meals for your
suppliers (e.g., band, host), or a children's
menu for any young guests (they'd be happier
with hotdogs, anyway). Another way of getting
big bargains is to look for those that offer
"special packages" that include
the cake, food, use of the venue itself, and
even extras like limo service.
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Souvenirs -
Make them yourself, if you have the time.
For example, place several chocolate kisses
into a small tin, while the more artistically
inclined can make very inexpensive frames
from materials in a crafts store. Or you can
kill two birds with one stone, and ask a friend
to take "studio" shots of your guests
against a special set-up in the corner. Give
them a copy of the picture to take home as
a souvenir, while simultaneously compiling
an album.
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Cake -
If you really want a high-tiered cake, you
can always ask for mock Styrofoam layers so
you get the impact but don't spend on something
that most people won't eat, anyway.
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For more information
on wedding budgets and many other aspects of wedding
planning, you should check out our Ultimate
Wedding Planning Toolkit. It contains everything
you need to ensure that your wedding plans run
smoothly... |
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