Our Market America family is buzzing with wedding fever this week, as our own CEO walked his daughter and founder of Lumière de Vie, Amber Ridinger down the aisle in Puerto Rico on Saturday.
Wedding season is exciting for everyone – the start of a new chapter for brides and grooms, the end of a long chapter for parents, and a big party for everyone else. Making memories is expensive business, however, and almost everyone comes out with a fat bill by the end. Whether you are celebrating, planning, or attending, here are some ways to cut costs:
For brides, grooms, and parents:
Pick the right time. Wedding season is technically summer, so the less expensive dates fall between November & March. Reception halls always charge the most money on Saturday evenings, so changing your time might cut the cost by as much as half! Solution: Fall wedding on a Friday or an intimate Sunday brunch reception.
Choose your food. If you get a chance to attend a wedding before your own, take a look at the dessert tray. The cake is beautiful, tall, delicious, and most likely only half eaten. You do not want to sacrifice on the aesthetics, but there is no sense in baking an expensive cake simply for looks. Instead, use artificial molds for one or two tiers, and bake one tier to eat. Your pictures won’t show the difference. As far as the main course, be seasonal and shop local. Catering meals that require shipment and preparation will add up in cost. It will do your wallet and your taste buds good to keep it fresh! Solution: Pick a seasonal, local menu.
Dress down. So maybe the dress is a big deal for you as a bride – understandable. However, do yourself a favor and shop around. Many brides will spend more time looking for styles and designs online rather that perusing bridal shops. If you fall in love with a design, take the time to search for it on other sites and by different manufactures. Look for similar styles made with less costly fabric. Love your dress without hating the insides of your pockets. Solution: Keep an open mind.
For guests:
Buy from the registry, not on the registry. Make the couple happy and buy from their list. Make your wallet happier and find it elsewhere (like SHOP.COM!). Registries are very convenient for the couple and very profitable for the store. As long as the couple gets the gift they want, everyone is happy. Solution: Research registry items before purchasing.
Give the gift everyone loves, for everyone. If you prefer to take a less conventional, even more affordable route and have a few weddings on your agenda this season, buy in bulk. Pick a trendy, thoughtful gift that everyone loves (wine, kitchen effects, wall décor, etc.) and buy one for each couple. Buy some inexpensive wrapping paper and ribbon to give it more personality when you send it to show the couple that you care. Gift cards may not appear to be thoughtful at first, but they’re a wise option as well! Solution: Buy in Bulk.
Recycle. Bridesmaid veterans, you may be lucky enough to have a dress you can wear again. Do it! Change the shoes and accessories and wear it as a guest this wedding season. If you are not so lucky, pick a cute but basic dress that you can accessorize. Rather than buying a new outfit for each wedding, style one outfit in different ways. Men usually get lucky enough to wear the same outfit to each formal event. Solution: Shop accessories, not outfits.
Carpool & bunk up. If your wedding calls for travel, find a buddy. Chip in on gas and a hotel room and keep it minimal. You only need a room to sleep and get dressed in, so choose the most economical option if you can. Solution: Get cozy.
For members of the wedding party:
Shop around. Just like the bride should shop her gown in more than one designer from more than one shop, so should you. If your bride sends you a link to the dress she wants you to wear, make note of the style and search for it at other shops. The first links brides are likely to find will be more expensive, higher end shops. Solution: Do your research.
Teamwork. Your job is to throw the best bridal, bachelor, and bachelorette parties your friends could ask for. Be reasonable. Does she bride really need a stretch limo to take her to dinner? Does to groom really need the whole VIP section of a night club to have a good time? Keep in mind that the goal is to deliver a good time. For every event you plan, make the focus on building memories, not debt. Split tasks up between members of the wedding party so that the costs and effort are split evenly. Solution: Communicate effectively.
Use E-Vites. Cut costs on stationary and send e-vites instead for showers and parties leading up to the big day. This is less traditional, but much more practical for your purpose. You can track RSVPs and save them the trouble of returning their RSVP. If you are sending to a few people that are less technology savvy, make a list and give them a call to help them out and remember. Solution: Use technology.
Hopefully this helps put your priorities into perspective so that you can plan with less stress and a smaller budget! If you have some other money-saving tips for weddings, tell us in the comments below!