When you already have the venue/caterer booked and you still need to cut costs, what do you do? Here are 5 ways to save money:
1. Reduce Your Guest List
I know, duh? Right? Well, this truly is the best way unless you have a food minimum that you need to reach and you are stretching it. Honestly, if you are afraid of hurting anyone’s feelings NOT inviting them, then talk to them. They will likely appreciate that you are thinking of them rather than just not get an invite. When in doubt, just talk about it. Guests you may need to think twice about: co-workers, children, friends of your parents, cousins. Although, I do not recommend cutting any of your immediate family out. Here are my thoughts on Inviting Immediate Family.
Credit: Morguefile
2) Offer One Entree – No Choice
I realize you may want to offer your guests a really nice dinner choice, but it truly is not necessary. If guests want a really nice dinner, they can go out just as a couple and do just that. It’s not your obligation to provide the best meal ever entree. My suggestion: some sort of chicken dish (Chicken Marsala, Chicken Cordon Bleu, etc.). Guests will remember two things (at least) about your wedding: 1) if the food was good and 2) if it was a good time. As long as the food is good, you are all set.
Over time, the memory of the food will fade and all that they will remember is having a good time. What will bite you in the ass though is if the food is bad. Do your research on catering options. Look at reviews. Have a tasting. The caterer will try to up sell you to a more expensive choice but, hey, are they paying for it? JUST MAKE SURE YOUR ONE ENTREE IS FREAKING GOOD. Read more thoughts on this in my “Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner” post.
3. Open Seating Plan, No Assigned Seats
There are a ton of benefits to this, but the two biggest ones are: 1) saving money and 2) relieving stress. No seating chart/arrangement or escort cards to buy, no worrying about who is sitting with who. Since you have eliminated the entree to one, there is no need to provide the caterer with how many of each entree at every table. See more thoughts on this in my “7 Reasons to Ditch the Seating Plan” post.
4. Candle Centerpieces
It amazes me how expensive centerpieces can get, especially those from the florist – easily $50 or more per table. You can do all the centerpieces for under $50.00. Get hurricane glasses from secondhand shops (they truly all don’t have to be exactly the same – BORING). Buy your candles in bulk from Amazon – see here. You don’t need colored or scented ones. Done. Seriously, that is all you need – a pillar candle in glass. If you want fillers…glass beads, shells, rocks – you can get all that from the Dollar Store. Candlelight is always simple and elegant. See more thoughts on this in my “Candlelight: an Alternative to Flowers” post.
5. Photography
The photographer costs are usually a big chunk of the wedding budget. I get that you may still want those formal photos after the wedding of you and your new husband, of your parents with you both, end so on. However, how often do you think you will look back on those photos? Um, I’ve been married 15 years and only looked at them maybe twice. Of course you will want a nice couple one to frame and hang up in your home and your parents will want one.
So, my suggestion is to get the photographer for 2-3 hours vs. the entire event. A few before shots, ceremony shots and after ceremony formals. The rest of the photography for the day can be done by your guests. Create a hashtag so your guests can immediately post to social media. Spread the word that you want some fabulous candid shots. I’m sure there will be a few guests that will scoop this opportunity right up. The feel and joy of your wedding will get captured in candid photos. See more ideas and thoughts on this in my “First Look and Candid Photos” blog post.
Credit: http://mrg.bz/rXS8Kw
