When is a Wedding Too Extravagant?

A recent article caught my eye about the excesses of weddings in India. Apparently the economic growth in India has inspired newly-wealthy (and probably plenty of old-monies families as well) to throw lavish weddings which are designed to impress their guests beyond all belief. According to the families who host these opulent parties, anything less would cause them to lose face. According to the Indian Food Minister, however, the shocking amount of food that is thrown away at the end of the over-the-top receptions is criminal. In a nation where tens of millions of children suffer from malnutrition, many have come to feel that it is absolutely terrible to waste so much food when so many go hungry.

In the United States, 30 course meals are not so common, but there are certainly plenty of weddings which cost more than most families make in a year. In the current economic climate, some people find such extravagant displays to be distasteful. Perhaps even worse, when brides with less impressive financial means see the photos of the lavish weddings in every bridal magazine and wedding television show, they can come to feel like their wedding will be a flop if they don’t have a custom lighting designer, crystal chandeliers, and personalized wedding favors. All of the extras have become expected, even for weddings where the couple has to go into debt to finance the event.

There is nothing wrong with having the wedding that one wants if it the family can afford it, but there are some things that a couple can do to ensure that their wedding does not cross the line into being an excessive show of wealth. If you are going to spend a lot of money on reception food, work with the caterer to support a local organic farmer. The big issue with extravagance is waste, so make an effort not to let your leftovers become trash. It is often possible to arrange for a homeless shelter or soup kitchen to take uneaten food. Centerpieces of cut flowers can be donated to a hospital or nursing home.

Finally, no one should feel like they have to overspend just to compete. It also pays to be a smart shopper; if you can score good deals on your flowers, bridal jewelry, invitations, and other necessities, you will have more money to splurge on the extras. Remember that in the end, what really makes a wedding memorable is the heart that goes into it, not how much it costs.

Easy Things to Cut From Your Wedding Budget

Planning a wedding on a budget can feel so challenging. However, brides who have already planned beautiful yet affordable weddings know that there are certain things which are easy to give up when trying to save money. To help you prioritize your wedding funds, learn about these easy things to cut from your wedding budget.

Videographer. This is probably the number one expense that brides say they are willing to drop to save money. A decent videographer is going to cost well over $1000 – that is a big chunk of change to free up for something more important! Even if the money is available, ask yourself how often you would really sit down and watch that wedding dvd. Most people lose interest in it within a couple months of the wedding, and it becomes nothing more than an expensive dust catcher on your dvd shelf. You would be better off investing the cost of a videographer into hiring a top notch photographer.

Wedding programs, menus, save the date cards, and response cards. Unless you are holding a bilingual ceremony and half of your guests will be totally lost without a written program, they are totally unnecessary. No one will miss them! While menu cards can be elegant, they too are an unneeded expense, and your guests will be able to figure out what they are eating by looking at it. If you plan to serve a dish that requires explanation, the server could name it when he presents it to the guest “Tonight you will be dining on a…” It would actually be very elegant and personal, more so than a menu card. Email or phone calls can be used to notify guests of upcoming nuptials instead of save the date cards. And believe it or not, response cards are not in fact proper wedding etiquette, so you can feel good about cutting those from your budget. Simply add an R.s.v.p. line to your invitations, and let the guests handle the rest.

Transportation. No one really cares how the bride and groom travel to and from the wedding, so expensive transportation is another easy thing to drop when funds are tight. Instead of a limo, see if a friend with a nice car can drive you from the ceremony to the reception. Or try a less traditional mode of transportation – how charming would it be to see the bride and groom pedal away on a bicycle built for two? If the distance between ceremony and reception sites is close, it would be really fun for the whole wedding party to walk it in a festive processional (very European!). Just think of all the well wishes you will get from the people you pass while you walk by all decked out in your bridal gown and Swarovski crystal earrings – what fun!

Save on Your Wedding With Clever Substitutions

To trim expenses while still having the beautiful wedding you designed, try substituting similar, but more affordable, elements for your ceremony and reception. You can end up with a wedding that meets your every expectation, including the total budget.

Instead of this: A six tier wedding cake decorated with handmade sugar flowers, a la Silvia Weinstock.

Substitute this: A cake with a real bottom tier and upper tiers made from Styrofoam. Once the whole cake is frosted, it will be impossible to tell that the top layers are fake. Decorate with fresh flowers instead of labor intensive sugar blossoms to save even more money.

Instead of this: A stack of diamond bracelets from Harry Winston (sorry, girls, they only let you borrow them if you are a movie star headed for the Academy Awards!).

Substitute this: A stack of sparkling Swarovski crystal bracelets. The Swarovski crystal bracelets will be glamorous and sparkly, yet won’t cost as much as a down payment on a house.

Instead of this: Custom letterpress wedding invitations, save-the-date cards, and thank you notes with your monogram on them.

Substitute this: Imprintable wedding stationery with a letterpress motif, such as a flower or a bird. The paper will have a lovely letterpress design on it, but you will save hundreds by doing the printing of the words yourself on a high quality home printer. There are a huge number of beautiful letterpress imprintable invitations from which you can order, both online and through traditional stationers.

How Real Brides Save on Their Weddings

Take a look at these ideas that real brides have used to save money on their weddings…

Trim the Guest List: You do not have to invite your second cousin or your old college roommate whom you never see anymore. Even if they had you at their weddings, you are not obligated to invite distant relations or casual acquaintances to yours. The absolute best way to trim your wedding costs is to be ruthless about cutting down the guest list. You will save thousands on food, decorating the tables, invitations, favors, and more. Not only that, but the people who you do have at your wedding will be the ones who mean the most to you.

Seek Deals Online: Many times you can find significantly lower prices for your wedding essentials at online retailers. This is especially true when buying items which are specifically designed for weddings, like many favors, bridesmaid jewelry gifts, unity candles, and decorations. Bridal stores often have large mark ups on all of the little extras that brides need, and it can add up to be quite a large sum. The bridesmaid jewelry gifts which cost $75 each at your bridal salon might go for as much as 60% – 75% less at an online bridal jewelry store, so it really pays to shop around.

Choose Your Venue Wisely: Look at your reception venue selection as a business decision. Before signing on the dotted line, find out the details about what they provide and what they allow you to provide. If you can find a venue which permits you to bring in your own alcohol, you can save thousands of dollars just on that. Venues which include all of the basics like tables, chairs, and linens in their base price will also be far more cost effective than places which require you to rent each piece individually. All of the little ways in which you save money on your reception can really end up being a lot of money left in your pocket at the end of the day.

Resources for Budget Brides

Planning a wedding on a budget can be a big challenge, but it is well worth the effort. To keep you on track and under budget, you will need some guidance along the way. These are some of the best resources for budget brides.

Start by picking up a wedding etiquette and planning book that is geared towards low-cost weddings. One of the most popular ones is “Bridal Bargains, 9^th edition: Secrets to Throwing a Fantastic Wedding on a Realistic Budget”. Another useful tool is a wedding budget spreadsheet or expense tracker. There are basic free ones available online, or you can design something more detailed that is tailored to your wedding. Because it is not good enough to know how to save money; you need to keep a tally of your spending as well to stay in budget.

The internet is a fantastic resource for brides. You can find articles with tips on saving money on everything from your wedding centerpieces to your bridal gown to the food and music. It is also a great place to do price comparisons and to find excellent prices on many of your wedding details. For instance, you may well find that bridesmaid jewelry can be purchased online for a much lower cost than at the bridal shop where you got your dresses. People who research their purchases beforehand will tend to get the most value for their money.

A wedding planner can be another helpful resource for a bride on a budget. This may surprise you to hear, as most people assume that planners are hired only for lavish weddings. However, there are planners that specialize in helping to create elegance on a budget, and one of those coordinators can be an excellent tool in helping you find the best prices without sacrificing style.  They may not be necessary for every couple, but in some cases, having a wedding planner can make all the difference.

Wedding Saving Ideas: Smart or Tacky?

Saving money has become a national obsession. Conspicuous consumption is out and living a more sensible lifestyle is in. And yet, when you are planning a wedding, it can be difficult to know how to cut corners without cutting style. These are some of the common ways in which brides try to save money on their weddings; I will help you learn which ones are smart and which ideas will look tacky.

Saving idea #1: Wedding invitations. Fine engraving and letterpress are extremely beautiful but also extremely expensive, so it is only natural that brides would look for ways to save on the wedding stationery. But your invitation is also the first impression that your guests will have of your wedding, so you want it to be a good one. Smart way to save: printing your own invitations on nice paper with a high quality printer. Tacky: hoping your guests will be fooled into thinking that thermographed invitations were engraved; they won’t be.

Saving idea #2: Wedding accessories. Once you have found your dream wedding gown, you will want to finish it off with some gorgeous accessories. Diamonds from Tiffany’s are not in everyone’s budget however; nonetheless you want to have some fabulous sparkle for your wedding day. Smart way to save: crystal bridal jewelry. With its dazzling sparkle, bridal jewelry created from Swarovski crystal will give you just the glamor you crave. Tacky: trying to pass off a child’s costume tiara as a real one. (I have actually seen this done; it was dreadful.)

Saving idea #3: Reception libations. The bar bill can add up quickly at a wedding reception, especially if you have a fun loving crowd. It can be difficult to balance the desire to throw a great party with the need to keep expenses manageable. Smart way to save: offer a signature cocktail or hold a brunch reception. A signature cocktail will add style to your reception, but it can also keep the alcohol costs down as compared to a full open bar. To save even more, have an early morning ceremony followed by a brunch reception, when most people will order very few alcoholic drinks. Tacky: cash bar. It is far better to serve what you can afford graciously than to demand that your guests pay for their own refreshments. Unless your reception is being held at a frat party, just don’t do it. It is possible to save money on your wedding while still maintaining the style and dignity of the event.

Hidden Wedding Expenses

Once you have booked all of your vendors and ordered all of your wedding needs, you may think that you know what your total cost will be. Look out, though, because things are not always as clear as you may think. This is a list of the hidden wedding expenses that every bride and groom should watch out for.

Tips and taxes: Read your contracts very carefully. Do they include gratuities and any sales tax, or are those additional? Gratuities are customary for many vendors, including the caterer or venue’s waitstaff, the band, the limo, the coatcheck, and so forth. If you are paying an additional 15-20% beyond the base estimate, that can really add up quickly.

Overtime: When you book your venue, photographer, and band, the contract will be for a set number of hours. Should you go beyond that block of time, the overtime costs are likely to be substantial. This is why it is important to be realistic when scheduling your vendors. If there is any possibility that you might want them for a little longer than their standard contract time, ask to pay a little more and schedule them for longer. It will likely be much less costly than paying overtime charges after the fact.

Rental delivery and set up fees: If you are having a wedding that involves a lot of rentals, read the fine print of your contract. Very often, the price for your tent or tables includes only renting the item, not the labor involved in actually getting them there and in place. Some rental companies charge hundreds of dollars for delivery and set up, so it is important to find out in advance whether or not your rental agency includes these services in their price.

Personalization: So you found the perfect bridesmaid gifts and they are within your budget, great! But wait, the jewelry store wants how much to engrave their initials on those bracelets? Some stores will charge a hefty fee for engraving, so when you are shopping around for personalized bridesmaid gifts, find out the cost of the engraving and factor that into your gift budget. You will often get the best deal from an online retailer.

As they say, forewarned is forearmed. Knowing about potential hidden or unexpected wedding expenses in advance is the best way to help you plan your budget so that you avoid any unpleasant last minute surprises and fees.

Wedding Splurges You Won’t Regret

Everyone knows that weddings are expensive, and for most brides it is not possible to get everything that they would like to have. However, just as there are some things that it is worth trying to save money on, there are other times when a little splurge is definitely warranted. These are some of the wedding splurges that you won’t regret.

The number one splurge that you won’t regret is your wedding gown. Sure, there are some affordable options out there. And yes, you only wear the dress for one day. However, it happens to be one of the most special days of your life, and certainly the one occasion for which you want to look and feel your absolute best. The perfect wedding dress, the one of your dreams, will truly make you feel like a different person when you put it on. If you find a gown that makes your heart sing, buy it. You will never regret it.

Number two on the list would have to be investing in an outstanding wedding photographer. If you ask frugal brides for one thing that they should have spent more on, chances are it will be the photographer. Hiring a student or letting your uncle be in charge of recording your most precious memories is a decision that you will regret from the first moment that you see your wedding photos, and every time that you look at your wedding album for the rest of your life. It is definitely worth it to invest in a top notch photographer who will take the kind of artistic photos that you will enjoy forever.

Another splurge-worthy wedding item is the bridal jewelry.  In the long run, buying a cheap ring just doesn’t pay. On the other hand, you do not need to invest a fortune into your wedding necklace and earring set. You can have beautiful bridal jewelry custom made from freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals that will not hurt your budget. Custom bridal jewelry can look like a splurge, but actually be an area where you save.

Those are the universal splurges, and then there are those that will depend more on the individual preferences of the bride and groom. If you and your families absolutely love to dance, then a great band might be your best splurge. I once attended a big Irish wedding where the splurge was on two bars instead of one.  Really, your best wedding splurge will be on the one (or two!) things that will mean the most to you. If there is something that will make your day a true dream come true, then go ahead and indulge, just this once.

Saving Money On Your Wedding

Here is a handy list of the dos and don’ts of saving money on your wedding.

Do: Consider having your wedding on an off day, like a Thursday evening, or an off season, like January. You will find that you can often get lower rates from everyone from the venue to the florist to the photographer, especially if they otherwise would be unbooked for that date. This can also be a great way to get into a hot venue without having to wait an extra year.

Don’t: Be fooled into thinking that you can have your wedding on the cheap at home. The truth is that by the time you pay a la carte for each and every rental and vendor, the bill is likely to add up to be much more than a package at a wedding venue.

Do: Shop at sample sales to find a gorgeous designer bridal gown at a great bargain price.

Don’t: Buy a dress sight unseen over the internet from a source like ebay unless you can definitely return it for a full refund. What if you do not love the dress in person or it does not fit?

Do: Save on your bridal jewelry, tiara, and other accessories by custom ordering them from an online retailer.

Don’t: Try to make them yourself to save a few bucks. There is a world of difference between something that has been carefully handcrafted by an artist versus something made at home by an amateur. It is not as easy as it looks!

Do: Make your own simple centerpieces using flowers from a floral mart, farmer’s market, or even the grocery store.

Don’t: Substitute fake flowers for fresh ones. I promise you that no one will be fooled.

With this guide in hand, you should be well on your way to planning a wedding that is beautiful to see, a pleasure to attend, and easy to afford. Remember to skimp on the behind-the-scenes stuff (fancy limos, hiring a calligrapher) and put your money into the things that will make your wedding a delightful time for your guests (in other words, the food, the booze, and the music). And most of all, remember to relax and take some time to enjoy yourself on your wedding day, too!

Saving on Wedding Attire

Every bride wants to look as beautiful as possible on her wedding day, and yet doing so need not mean going deep into debt for a designer gown with all of the trimmings. It is definitely possible to find affordable wedding attire for both the bride and her attendants while keeping the budget in check. Here are some suggestions on the best ways to save on your wedding attire.

One of the best ways to keep your expenses under control is to think creatively. For instance, if you are a bride who is seeking a simple but elegant gown, you may find some fabulous choices available in the evening wear department of your favorite boutique or department store. There will often be some stunning styles available in many of the most popular bridal fabrics like wispy chiffon or flowing charmeuse. Not only will you pay less, but you will have access to all of the latest trends and styles.

Bridesmaid dresses are not just for bridesmaids any more. Did you know that many bridesmaid dresses can also be ordered in white or ivory? You can find a huge array of styles and fabrics, including satin, organza, or crepe. Bridesmaid collections are also easy to order in virtually any size, and take much less time to come in that wedding gowns. This means that you can save both time and money!

Of course, since you are working to save on your attire, you will want to find great accessories that will not break the bank. This can actually be easier than you may expect. Swarovski crystal bridal jewelry is a great option. It will definitely help to transform your dress into one that says, “bride”, and yet it is also quite affordable. Choose a sparkling crystal headpiece, dramatic bridal earrings, and finish off your jewelry set with a pretty necklace and a bracelet or two. Top with a simple veil, and you will look every bit the beautiful bride.