You’re engaged Congratulations! After the sizzle of the champagne subsides, your next thought is: How much is this going to cost? And how am I going to pay for it?
Luckily, there are practical ways to cutting wedding costs while still achieving your wedding vision.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Remember that like any other purchase or decision you make, there are many options at different price points. There truly is no single right answer. It is your wedding vision and your budget and we are here to help you achieve the wedding of your dreams!
The key to cutting wedding costs is determining what’s the utmost important to you. We have seen engaged couples spend considerable resources from their overall wedding budget on their music because entertainment was their top priority, at the expense of décor and food. Was that a mistake? Absolutely not for them! But it may be for you, if food and décor is your thing.
Top tips for cutting wedding costs:
1. Use online services such as Pingg.com for easy and inexpensive save-the-date announcements, event invitations or place cards. There are plenty of online options that are reasonably priced, with many features and flexibility. Save the date cards are not a must have, etiquette states you do not have to send save the date cards. Visit with Six Nineteen at our show for unique ideas for invitations.
2. Use Seasonal Flowers and be flexible about the floral assortment and style. Be open and honest with your florist, and let them know if this isn’t the priority for you. Using seasonal flowers and being flexible on floral arrangement and style can really help with budget constraints. Please visit with Ann or Joan at the Floral Magic vendor booth at the 9-23 show and let them help you design floral that is flexible and your style.
3. Scale down or be creative with your engagement photos. Your photographer can help you with that. Be sure to visit with all of our photographers at the Celebrations Show and gather valuable information from them that can truly be reflected in your wedding budget.
4. Cut out guest favors. People often ask me if they have to give out wedding favors to their guests. The answer is no! If it doesn’t fit within your budget, I believe this is the first place to cut. Don’t get me wrong, if you have the money to spend, favors are a nice thing to do for your guests. But I’m also a big proponent of the fact that your guests should be bringing you gifts. Shannon Thomas of One Girl Creative will answer all your questions at the Q&A with OGC during the workshops at the show...
5. Limit your guest list. A quick way to cut wedding cost is to limit your guest list. Be realistic and invite those people that are emotionally involved with you – ultimately it will make for a better experience for you and your guests as well. Your work place friends and such will understand if they are not on the guest list.
6. Skip the full bar. A full service bar can get quite expensive. Serve beer and wine instead, or better yet, serve a signature drink in keeping with your wedding theme. It helps set the tone and style of your wedding and is considerably less expensive than a full service bar. Talk with us at the Celebrations Show roundtable in and we will discuss how you can become your own mixologist with your signature wedding drink. Taste our sample signature drinks at the show to inspire you!
7. Review vendor contracts carefully for unexpected costs, such as after-hours charges, delivery charges – things you didn’t know could pop up. You want to be aware of that from the get go so you can budget for it. Make a list prior to meeting with the vendor covering all of your questions of those possible charges and make sure everything is in writing.
8. Reduce the amount of food served. Cut back on hors d’oeuvres served during the cocktail hour and/or the number of courses included in your meal. Or, talk with your banquet facility and create a creative appetizer schedule that is lower in cost and streamlined to your budget. Can you supply your own candy buffet or sweets table. This may take the place of other food items and be a budget friendly addition. City Grill and The Elks Lodge Banquet coordinators will be on hand at the show to inspire you with creative solutions for your DAY!
If you are realistic and honest about your priorities, you can plan the wedding of your dreams and stay within your budget. All of us in the Wausau Wedding Powerhouse are here to help you do just that.
We are dedicated to helping you achieve your dreams!
Happy Planning! The Powerhouse Team!
