Cutting Back On Your Budget Doesn't Mean You Can't Have a Fabulous Event!

Cutting Back On Your Budget

 Eliminating A Huge Stress Ball

And Still Throwing A FABULOUS Event

- Make a list of all the things that you feel make an event something to remember. Is it the dress the bride wears? The music that is played? The food? The venue? The colors? Centerpieces? Make a list  of what you HAVE to have to make your wedding everything you've ever wanted. Once you do that, focus  on those main things and put your money towards those and not the little things. You wont regret it when your event is over and done with.

- Invitations can be expensive and can be even more expensive if you order the address labels or have the business do it for you.  To save some money,  put the labels on yourself or if you don't want to order the labels address the envelopes yourself.  You can order stamps that have your return address on them, and they look great!!

- How many guests are you expecting? Try cutting it down to the people that you speak to regularly and really want there on your special day. We tend to invite anyone and everyone, and that's not ideal for trying to make a budget.

- Do you want a photographer or a videographer but cant afford both? Maybe one of your friends or family members would be willing to take on the responsibility of being in charge of one of those. If so, make a list of all the photographs you want to have or the important parts of the video that you want them to capture.  Having a bridesmaid or groomsmen isn’t recommended since they will be partaking in all the bridal events and you probably want them in the videos and or photographs.  OR an alternative if going to the local college and asking a student to take your photos. Something to consider:  These photos are the photos you will look back on 20/30 years from now, and you want them to be of good quality.  

( all the cakes above are FAKE, they used sheet cakes in the back)

-   The cake is a focal point in the wedding, but some couples cant afford to have 3 tier 4 tier 5 tier cake. So what do you do if you don't want a sheet cake but that's all you can afford? Ask your bakery if they can add a couple fake Styrofoam tiers  and then have one tier real?  Or you could have a fake cake and then a sheet cake in the back. Lots of people are doing this, you’d be surprised!

- If your ok with having a student from a hair school do your hair, look at having them come and do your wedding party as well. It can save you a ton of money, rather than going to a high end salon. Your hair will look just as great(make sure you do a trial run) and they will gain the experience J

- Having friends and family that are willing to do some extra work will really come in handy. Some vendors include the cost of the delivery of your rentals and  then picking them back up.  Ask friends and family to help you out by picking up the rentals: decor, linens/tables/chairs, flowers, pillars, champagne glasses/silverware, etc; and returning them after the ceremony. The delivery itself can add a few hundred dollars to your total cost of your vendor.  And that the last thing you should be worried about on your big day.

- It doesn't hurt to ask for a discount or a price break.  If there is a photographer, DJ or a caterer that you absolutely love but you can't afford, ask them if they will work with your budget. Most vendors work privately out of their house or own their own business and can work with the amount that you are willing to spend.  

- If you don't want to spend $50 for each bridesmaid/ groomsmen you can make gifts for bridal party.  Or look at my blog " Alternatives to carrying bouquets" and you can find ideas that will save you money and your bridal party will enjoy it! Look online and you can find some fun creative ideas. It could be something fun you and your hubby/partner can do together!

- Cleaning up after reception does NOT sound like something you should be doing the night of your big day.  Ask friends and family if they can help out and clean up after the reception. With everyones’ help it wont take long. Create a master list of what you have and what you have rented and give each person  helping a list of what they need to pick up.  You will be thankful at the end of the night!

 -  Save On Crafts is a fabulous website that you can order supplies to make your own flower arrangements and center pieces. You can even find decor for your venue! Creating your own center pieces/bouquets can save you THOUSANDS of dollars. It’s a lot of work so make sure you have enough time, and the right amount of people to help you out.

***REMEMBER  you and your groom should only be worried about looking fabulous on your big day, and having a great time! Make sure you have people helping you out ahead of time!***

- Cutting out the little trinkets on the tables might be something you want to consider. Spending $100- $200 so that you can give each guest three little chocolates is not in everyone’s budget.  Don't feel guilty, most people throw the little gifts away anyways and then your left trying to pick up all the leftovers to savor the money you spent.

- You don't need to have EVERYTHING monogrammed or personalized. If you want your monogram in your wedding decor, try getting one or two main things for people to see, or maybe the napkins that go with the cake. But this is your monogram, not every one elses', so they arn’t going to cherish and save each napkin or plate, or ribbon that has your name on it- its going in the trash.

*** If you are in KY or Indiana and you are looking for an assistant to help you out with your big day please email me**** J  Kaitlinlogsdon@att.net

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