B U D G ET B REA KDOWN It’s important to determine who is contributing to the wedding cost and how much you have to spend from day one. “Expensive” and “Stressful” might be two things that come to mind when you think of wedding budget planning, but they don’t have to be. No matter your budget, with the right planning, organization, and budgeting tips this process can be as easy as saying “I Do.”
GUEST LIST: Like it or not, each person you invite has a price tag. From catering, alcohol, cake, stationery, rentals, and flowers, each person you invite plays a role in these costs. Obviously there is a catering, drink and cake slice cost, but also consider tables, chairs, linens and centerpieces for these extra seats. Each person will also require a save-the-date, a wedding invitation, RSVP and the stamp to mail it. These things seem small, but they really do add up. DATE + TIME: Saturday weddings will always be the most expensive day of the week. If you are looking to cut back costs on your venue, try picking a Friday or Sunday. You could also consider the time of day you host your wedding. A brunch or afternoon reception is less expensive on catering than a formal evening dinner. OTHER ALTERNATIVES: If a wedding planner is not in the budget, consider a day of coordinator that is about half of the cost. Instead of a grooms cake, can your grandmother make your fiance’s favorite pie and create a DIY pie bar? Get creative when you can, but the last thing you want is a #pinterestfail, so be smart and know when its time to leave it to the professionals. Do not ruin your big day to save a few bucks.
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BLISS BRIDAL
WEDDING STYLE: The more casual the affair, the less expensive your overall design will need to be. A rustic themed wedding in a barn can easily get away with BBQ or a food truck. A glamourous formal affair, not so much. Consider your style when thinking about budget. RECONSIDER DIY: Today, more than ever brides love to handcraft their wedding details. However, in terms of budget, keep in mind that the DIY is not always the least expensive, especially when a project requires you to buy tools or supplies that can only be bought in bulk. So many times we see brides that want to buy their own linens online, only to later realize the quality is not the same, the time and frustration to steam them before the wedding and the cost to clean them after. By the time you went through all of the headache, you are only saving a few bucks (maybe) and then you are left with a pile of linens you will never end up using again. The same frustrations are seen when buying bigger rental pieces, DIY silk flowers, DIY invitations, centerpieces and more. Think about all of the steps before you consider DIYing or buying things yourself. In the end you could be spending the same if not more. Also, you may realize the time and stress is not worth the few extra dollars.
