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Planning
Your Wedding On a Budget…
It Can Be Done!
When
it comes to planning a wedding, you want the day to be perfect
and your ultimate day to shine but you don’t
want to be paying for it for the next ten years either. Making
smart, educated choices will definitely make a difference if
you are on a budget and will still let you and your fiancé be
the King and Queen for a day.
Getting
engaged is one of the most exciting days in a couple’s
life. Through all of the excitement in imaging what the wedding
will be like couples have to ask each other: “How are
we going to pay for this?” Take a deep breath and don’t
panic. Many couples today are paying for most of the costs
of the wedding on their own. The rules of tradition and “who
pays for what” have become an archaic practice.
One
of the first decisions that you need to make is when the
wedding will take place. The time of year, day of the week,
and even the time of day can significantly affect the cost
of the wedding. Choosing a time that is considered “off-peak” can
really make a difference. Who says that weddings must take
place on a Saturday afternoon in June? A wedding in April or
September can be just as beautiful and will be a lot easier
on your pocketbook. A lot of couples are choosing to have a
Friday or Sunday wedding because the savings are remarkable.
You can choose the month you started dating or a month during
your favorite season to give added sentiment.
If
you choose to have your wedding at a reception hall they
will most likely dictate to you a minimum number of guests
that you need to have in order to be guaranteed a certain
rate (choosing an “off-peak” time will give you
a smaller minimum). If you are able to keep your list on
the smaller side of the scale that will in turn affect the
number of everything else that you need to purchase (For
example, table centerpieces, favors, programs).
Do
either of you have large families? You can institute an “immediate
family only” rule to help cut down the list. Your Mom’s
second cousins that you never see will probably not be upset
if they don’t get invited.
Another
way you can drastically cut the cost of your wedding is by
not paying for all of your services “A LA CARTE”.
Many areas have what is commonly known as a “wedding
center” where most of your major wedding services are
offered at a fraction of the price of individual vendors. They
are all under one roof and offer you the same quality service.
Flowers, Limos, Invitations, and even the DJ can be arranged
and paid for in one place. You have the convenience of one
place to go to for all of your wedding needs. It’s like
having your own wedding coordinator!
Planning
a wedding is a special time and for many, once-in-a-lifetime.
You don’t have to sacrifice your dream come true to stick
to your budget.
By Nancy A. Sullivan
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