After being a bride myself and realizing how expensive weddings can be and how the smallest details add up so quickly, I decided to put together an article that provides tips to stay on budget. There are ways to save on wedding expenses while still having a fabulous wedding.
First, pick three things that are most important to you such as the food, dress, and open bar. Contact the vendors you want to use and budget for these items first.
Limiting the guest list will save money on invitations, food and alcohol, not to mention the more people who attend the more favors and flowers will be needed for the tables. Cutting the guest list won't be as hard as you think. If you have never met, spoken to, or heard the guests name do you really want to be introduced at your wedding?
Choose only your absolute favorite people to be in your bridal party. The bridal party gets very expensive with bridesmaids bouquets costing about $100 each and buying thank you gifts.
Pass on unnecessary details such as expensive paper for programs or an upgraded bar.
Get multiple quotes on wedding stationary including invitations, programs and menus. Printing and paper costs vary across the board so make sure you look at samples.
Flowers are beautiful but spending $400 on a bride's bouquet that you will hold for less than five minutes may not be the best way to use your budget. Instead splurge on the table flowers which guests will be looking at throughout dinner. Choose seasonal flowers to be cost effective.
Decide on a menu that is filling using seasonal ingredients to keep costs down. Skip the additional dessert most guests only eat a bite of wedding cake anyway.
To keep cake costs down which can range from $3 to $15 per person accent using real flowers instead of sugar flowers. Only use a few tiers and have additional sheet cakes for serving.
Remember that most things you will only use that night and they will be garbage the next day so only splurge on your absolute favorites.
