Wedding Budget Do's and Don'ts

Whatever your wedding budget is, there are certain things you should and shouldn't do. Read on for tips on saving money the right way:

Do hire a caterer who'll allow you to supply your own alcoholic beverages.

Don't have a cash bar.

Do cut your guest list in a sensible way.

Don't "accidentally" forget to invite your annoying cousin.

Do negotiate with your vendors.

Don't demand discounts from vendors.

Do book a photographer for her time minimum to shoot the ceremony and family shots. Also, ask friends to take party photos.

Don't ask your 17-year-old niece to be in charge of photographs.

Do connect an iPod to speakers. Create fabulous playlists, rent a good sound system, and bring an extra iPod.

Don't hire your brother's garage band to get the party going.

Do avoid unncessary details such as elaborate favors and napkin rings.

Don't hold back on food and drinks. Hungry and thirsty guests aren't happy ones.

Source- Brides Magazine, January 2011; Photo Credit

Tips for planning your wedding on a budget

Want to plan a fabulous wedding but don't want to break the bank? Check out the following tips for ways to plan your wedding on a budget:

• Get married in off-season months: January, February, March and November.
• Get married on any day but Saturday.
• If you can't afford a designer gown, think about renting one instead.
• Most big bridal shops have big sales each year. Be sure to take advantage of this.
• Using silk flowers can save you lots of cash, and best of all, they're already preserved. The bride can use fresh flowers, but no one else really needs to.
• You can use silk flowers to decorate the ceremony and reception venues as well.
• Check out dollar stores when shopping for candles and candleholders. Additionally, dollar stores and places like Wal-Mart have many items you can use to decorate.
• Try to choose one person who can do both hair and makeup.
• Hire a caterer that provides everything you'll need such as glassware, plates, tablecloths, etc.
• Try to find a venue that will let you bring your own alcohol.
• Wedding coordinators can save you money; they are aware of additional ways to save money, they know what to say and ask your vendors, and they have connections in the industry.

For more tips, check out General Tips on How to Plan a Wedding, but not go broke!!

10 ways to cut wedding costs

As you know, weddings cost lots and lots of money. Fortunately, there are ways to cut costs. Here are 10 ways to do so:

1. Lengthen you engagement. If you have longer to plan, you'll have a better chance of acquiring the best vendors in your price rage. Additionally, you can usually lock in rates that might increase by your wedding date.
2. Reduce the number of wedding attendants. By having less people in your wedding party, you can save hundreds on bouquets, boutonnieres and gifts.
3. Choose a multi-purpose venue. If you use one site for both the ceremony and reception, you'll save on the site, and you won't have to pay for transportation.
4. Have a brunch or lunch bash. That way, you'll save on food (breakfast and lunch entrees are less expensive), the bar (daytime tabs are generally much smaller) and you might even save on the fee for the space.
5. Trim the ceremony decor. Your guests will see the flowers for just an hour or so, so stick with the basics. Think about placing one or two large arrangements in the front (where everyone will be looking) and decorating the rest simply.
6. Check out some sample sales. A couple of times a year, a lot of bridal salons sell samples of dresses they carry at a significant discount. You could land a bargain (first, find out what dry cleaning and alterations may cost so you can consider that before buying).
7. Ask about hidden fees. Before you commit to a venue, ask about all the little costs-- for instance, some sites will charge to cut your cake or uncork your champagne. You can save money by totaling the extra costs and factoring this into your choice about the venue.
8. Go minimalist. Opt for carrying a few dramatic flowers like sunflowers or calla lilies instead of a big bouquet. You'll get a chic look for a lower price.
9. Choose a site that's well-dressed. Some of a venue's affordability is based on how much decorating is needed. For example, a grand historic estate might just need minimal flowers for decor, so ultimately, the venue might cost less than a bare reception hall.
10. Get a little help from your friends. To free up money for other parts of your wedding, have your more crafty friends make welcome baskets or ask you aunt with the neat handwriting to address your invitations.

For more tips, visit our source: Save Big Without Skimping.

Photo from: prattlibrary.org

Setting your wedding budget

Did you know that the average wedding cost is $28,000? With a number like that, I'm sure you can see why determining your budget is so important and why it can be overwhelming.

Here are some tips to help you plan your wedding budget:

Speak to everyone who's contributing to your wedding. Sit down with everyone who is going to contribute to your wedding and discuss how to reasonably split the tab and come up with a total number.

Assign totals for each service accordingly. When you've come up with a reasonable budget total, you'll then have to figure out where the money will go. Create a list of items, vendors and details that you'll need and how much you'll allocate to each. After doing that, you can tailor each amount to your style and priorities. For example, if your wedding gown is very important to you, you might splurge in that area and cut back on the floral arrangement.

Get a system and begin saving. You need to set up a reliable way to record your savings and spending. You can use anything from sophisticated software to regular, old spreadsheets to do this.

Bank it. If you already have money saved for your wedding, speak with your financial institution about the best way to accumulate interest leading up to the the big day. Be sure to open an account that is separate from your personal savings so you you won't be tempted to dip into that account.

Save smart. If you're starting from zero with your wedding savings, think about paying for as many of your expenses as you can with a credit card that collects benefits such as frequent flier miles, rewards or cash back that can go to your honeymoon travel.

Source: How to set your wedding budget. Photo from: big-wedding-tiny-budget.com