Bride's on a Budget: Lowering Costs without Lowering Quality

Let's face it, weddings are expensive!  Every bride wants their dream wedding...but at what cost?  I've put together a little list of do's and don'ts in ways to save money without compromising your dream wedding!

• DO have your wedding on a Friday!  Saturday bride's pay a premium price for their date because it's the most sought after.  Move your wedding to a Friday.  Most venues give Friday/Sunday discounts.
• DO NOT serve a 5 course meal!  If a caterer is good, then he's good.  It doesn't matter if he's serving up filet or chicken in a garlic sauce!  In the words of Father of the Bride - "I'd like the cheaper chicken!" 
  
• DO consider getting married during off-season!  April-July and October are heavy months for weddings!  Vendors are booked solid.  Consider getting married in August, January, or February.  If a vendor doesn't have a wedding booked chances are they may be willing to cut a deal.
  
• DO NOT ditch the professionals!  I cannot stress this enough! I've read in many blogs to have a friend take the pictures, or make the bouquets.  Big Mistake!  I can't tell you how many frantic phone calls I've received from bride-to-be in 2 weeks because Aunt Sue who has made all their birthday cakes has realized that making a 4 tier wedding cake is a very different task then a sheet cake and has backed out. And what if the pictures turn out horrible, or the cake falls - will that friendship be ruined?  Hire the professionals - they know what they are doing (we do this everyday) and you will get a good quality product.  However, stick with the basic packages. 
  
•     For bakers, instead of an Italian Cream cake with tons of sugar flowers opt for a standard Vanilla cake with fresh flowers! 
  
•     For florists, make those bouquets just a little smaller.  Use flowers that are in season.  Opt for a less expensive flower. 
  
•     For  your photographer, omit the huge leather bound album with all the fancy stuff.  Choose something sturdy and beautiful and less expensive to showcase your day.
•     For your bar, beer and wine is all you need!  Really, will it ruin the day if Uncle Joe has to choose a Budweiser instead of his Jack and Coke?  Nobody will notice it's not there!
• DO make your own favors!  This is an area where you can have fun and play around.  Make up a cute goodie bag or other special treat.  Check out my previous blog for more information on this.
• DO NOT invite the whole town!  Instead of having a huge event with 300 people, half of whom you haven't seen in 20 years, choose to have a smaller more intimate affair.  Limit your guests to less than 150.  Less people means smaller space to rent, less mouths to feed, and less alcohol to buy!  Less tables, so fewer centerpieces...and the list goes on!

All that to say, be smart with your money saving!  You can still have a beautiful wedding, just be smart about it!  Timing is everything, and will save you money!  Stick to less expensive packages!  This will ensure you have a quality, professionally run, beautiful wedding of your dreams without compromising your vision or your friendships!