Marriage & Wedding Information

How to Have a Dream Wedding on a Budget


No one wants to pay more than they have to for anything, especially something as costly as a wedding. And if you're like me, and you had to foot your own bill, then you certainly want to keep costs down. I was afraid it couldn't be done, especially since my husband and I live in one of the most expensive regions of the country. But my wedding is proof that it can be done, and here's how:

Reception Venue

Look for non-profit organizations that host wedding receptions, since their rental fees are extremely reasonable. And many of them - the American Legion is one example - have gorgeous, well-maintained facilities. If you prefer an outdoor wedding, then skip the country club and go to a state or national park, where you can get beautiful landscapes at a fraction of the cost.

Catering

Many rental halls offer full-service catering, which includes linens and tableware, wait staff, all food prep and cleanup, etc. But unless you're at a non-profit (which hopefully you are, if you followed step #1), then this can be extremely expensive. Try to find a smaller catering company that typically does at-home meal service, since they know how to do things on a budget. And they are sure to give you excellent customer service.

Alcohol

You must, must, must buy your own alcohol. If you purchase it through your rental hall at retail price, you will be paying through the nose. If you have followed step #1, then you have most likely found a place that will allow you to bring your own alcohol, or will give it to you at a non-profit price. This is the only way to go.

Flowers & Decorations

Eliminate additional expense by keeping everything simple. There really is no need to have little party favors at each table, since hardly anyone remembers or appreciates those items anyway. And go easy on the flowers - having a few simple arrangements strategically placed can be very sophisticated and elegant.

Music

With the abundance of music available for (legal) download via the internet, it's easier than ever to create your own CDs to play at the wedding. It's great to have creative control over the music,and it gives you and your future spouse a project you can work on together. A lot of rental halls will have equipment available for you to play your CDs, but you can also rent this equipment fairly inexpensively.

Invitations

Save on invitations by only ordering paper invitations for family members. Everyone else, including your friends and extended family, can be invited via email. You may think it's tacky, but it'sreally the best way to get an accurate headcount. It's much easier for people to respond to an email than to have to mail back a response via snail mail. But still use the paper invitations for your family, since this is the more traditional route. You can get very inexpensive invitations these days through various printing websites.

In addition to the recommendations I have listed above, there are many other little ways you can save. For example, going to discount bridal stores for your dress, getting a friend to make the wedding cake, etc. - but I have found that trying to micro-manage every little item on your checklist will make you crazy. So just keep it simple with the big items that I listed above, and you will have the ultimate dream wedding - a beautiful venue, excellent food, plenty of beverages, your favorite music, all on a budget!

Rachel Greenberg has a background in business and finance, and she received her MBA from Duke University in 1999. She writes fun and informative pieces for her website http://www.bargainfamily.com - which she created with her husband Lee. The website provides advice and recommendations for families on various products and services for their homes, lives, and businesses.


MORE RESOURCES:

New York Daily News

Did Spencer Pratt 'drug' Heidi Montag for wedding? Ask Mom!
Los Angeles Times, CA - 4 hours ago
Heidi Montag's mom gives her daughter and Spencer Pratt's marriage “six months,” calling it “the biggest mistake Heidi's ever made." Wow, six months? ...
'The Hills' Newlyweds To Try for Baby San Francisco Chronicle
Heidi Montag's mom: I give her marriage to Spencer Pratt six months New York Daily News
Heidi Montag's Mom Says Marriage To Spencer Pratt Will Last 'Six ... MTV.com
Extra TV - The Gossip Girls
all 58 news articles


Why Ruin Their Wedding Day?
ireport - Dec 1, 2008
On December 12, 2008 Florida's Governor, Charlie Crist will marry his fiancee, of nine months, New Yorker, Carole Crist. The ceremony will take place at ...


Speidi’s wedding not legal?
That Happened!, New York - Nov 27, 2008
New York - Shortly after the announcement of Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt’s secret wedding in Mexico comes word that their marriage may not be legal, ...


The Associated Press

Is reality TV's most public couple really married?
The Associated Press - Nov 26, 2008
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, the reality-TV couple whose on-again, off-again relationship has been chronicled by MTV's "The Hills" and ...


How Getting Married Made Me An Activist
Newsweek - Nov 15, 2008
This NEWSWEEK editor's wedding has put him in the middle of the culture wars. Now, as he and his spouse wait to see if their marriage is valid, ...


Wedding season is back with a bang in Capital
Times of India, India - Nov 9, 2008
NEW DELHI: Wintry Delhi days may slow down much of the city, but for the effusive marriage season it is time to stir again. Quite literally, weddings wake ...


Blood gift at wedding
Calcutta Telegraph, India - Nov 24, 2008
Ahmedabad, Nov. 24: Krishna Patel wanted a gift for her wedding that her guests just couldn’t refuse — a few drops of their blood. ...


The 5 W's of getting your wedding license
New York Daily News, NY - Nov 9, 2008
BY ANNA T. HIRSH White dresses, colorful bridesmaids, fondant-covered cakes and cover bands – these delightful details might be the building blocks of a ...


Prince Charles' wedding might be 'illegal'
Expressindia.com, India - Nov 9, 2008
London, November 10: The legality of Prince Charles' wedding to Camilla Parker Bowles has come into question after constitutional experts revealed that ...


Late night weddings and fireworks continue
The News International, Pakistan - Nov 13, 2008
By M. Zeeshan Azmat Last night I attended a wedding ceremony near the Five Star signal, North Nazimabad. The series of marriage lawns and halls on both ...

Marriage-Wedding - Google News

home | site map
© 2006