Tips on Saving Money on your wedding
There are many ways to save money on your wedding and decrease / maintain your budget.
Here are some tips from my experience:
1.) Decrease the number of guests to only friends and family who are very important to you. You can save hundreds of dollars by shrinking your guestlist slightly.
2.) There is no need to rent a fancy car, in my opinion. When I showed up to my ceremony no one saw me getting out of my car. Plus, if they did, guaranteed they wouldn't remember what my vehicle looked like since they were too busy looking at my dress and hair. After the ceremony I stayed to take pictures so not a single guest saw me get into my vehicle. To stress my point further, when I arrived at the hall most people were inside getting a drink and socializing and were not waiting outside for my arrival. Once I entered I had all the attention but the vehicle is not important. You can save hundreds of dollars going without a limo or a car rental.
3.) If you would like to have a variety of alcoholic beverages to offer, hold a bachelorette party or a shower and have each person bring a different type of liquor. This should greatly decrease your beverage tab at your wedding.
4.) Alternatively, you can make your own wine or beer for your reception. Be sure to check your local liquor laws as in some areas (Calgary, for example) it is illegal to bring homemade alcohol into a hall.
5.) Get your make-up done by a friend. Or, if you would prefer a professional, get it done at MAC. As long as you spend $40 on products they will do your make-up for free! At least you get make-up for your money instead of paying upwards of $100 for make-up for one day.
6.) Buy silk flowers - JustFlowers.com
instead of real ones. If you are worried about the lack of fragrance, light candles. Candles will also work to decorate. If you are very insistent on having real flowers, choose flowers that are in season. They will be much cheaper if you are willing to be flexible. Supermarkets will be far cheaper than a florist.
7.) Rent gray chairs instead of white. Think of the last wedding you were at. Do you remember the color of the chairs? I sure don't. Gray chairs are cheaper to rent and are more widely available.
8.) Make your own invitations.
9.) Hold your wedding on a Friday or a Sunday Most halls will be available and have cheaper weekday rates than on the Saturdays. The other option is to have it during the low season (winter). Supply and demand. During the off-season there is less demand and the rates are lower.
10.) Have your guests RSVP to a website. Websites (http://www.weddingannouncer.com/) are very user friendly and reduce waste, but most importantly the reduce the cost of invitations, reply cards and postage. Be sure to include a phone number for some guests who may not have internet access.