Five Easy Ways to Stay Within Your Wedding Budget

There is no doubt that a wedding today can be more expensive than a down payment on a new house.  Between the cost of the venue and the cost of the food, an entire wedding budget can be chewed up leaving little left for all the other important details that will make your day a grand event.  If you don’t want to settle on location or the sit down dinner you have wanted as part of your reception since you were 12, there are a few other steps you can take to help you reign in your budget and still have the wedding of your dreams.

Consider a Videographer instead of Photographer.  Most videographers today are about half of the cost of a photographer.  So, if you find a photography package for around $3000, you are likely to find a videographer for about $1500.  But don’t think you will miss out on the captured image of photography.  The key is to find a videographer that has the capability and technology to capture images within the video and turn them into pictures.  This is not a complicated or really unique process, it is just important to determine if the videographer has the computer setup to accomplish it.  Or, if you do research and find that once you have the video, you can do it yourself, even better.

Consider a Second Hand Dress.  Second hand dress doesn’t mean that you would lose any elegance, style or compromise on the condition of the dress.  There are thousands of brides who have elected to sell their gowns after the wedding.  And remember, these are dresses that for the most part have only been worn for less than 24 hours.  E-Bay is a great resource for gently used wedding dresses as well as Craig’s List.  Wedding Dresses can be compared to cars – a new car the minute you drive it off the lot losing a huge amount of its value, but is still in pristine condition.  So it is with a wedding dress.  

Order Flowers Based on the Season.  When planning your wedding consider the time of year and what flowers are going to be in season.  Florists will always have the seasonal flowers readily available and at a lower price than those that are out of season.  Be sure to do your research ahead of time and plan accordingly.  This will greatly reduce the cost of flowers.

Consider a Smaller Bridal Party.  Most couples want to share their big day with as many close friends and family as possible standing in their wedding party.  A large bridal party makes for a great photo and of course, great bachelorette and bachelor parties, however, the bigger the party, the bigger the expense.  Each bridesmaid will need a bouquet and each groomsman will need a boutonniere.   This can increase the flower cost dramatically.  There is also the traditional bridal party gift that is given to each attendant and the rehearsal dinner cost.  Electing to have only one or two attendants will decrease your overall costs and allow you take those dollars and put them towards the more expensive elements of the wedding like the venue and food. 

Order Wedding Invitations Online.  Wedding Invitations can also be a big expense within the wedding budget.  Custom wedding invitations can run in the thousands of dollars. In addition, brick and mortar stationery stores mark up their products in consideration of their store overhead costs.  Ordering your wedding invitations on line is a great way to save money and get the exact same quality and often the exact same product anywhere from 50% to 70% cheaper.  Online stores do not have the overhead expenses and consequently can pass along the savings to customers.  Most fine stationery stores carry the beautiful stationery company Carlson Craft.  These invitations can also be found online at a greatly reduced price and they are exactly the same.

Six Tasks on Your Post Wedding To Do List

The champagne bottles are tipped over, the confetti lays on the floor and your guests have gone home to rest.  Now you and your new spouse are off on your honeymoon.  You've not a care in the world and your only focus now is enjoying your much needed vacation and escape from reality.  The last thing you are thinking about is the tasks that need to be completed when you return.  However, vacations don't last forever and before you know it, you will be back in town and possibly overwhelmed at the prospect of organizing your post wedding to do list. Below are the six steps that will need to be taken upon your return.  Understanding what these are and how you will accomplish them, will lead to a stress free return back to reality.

Order Wedding Pictures.  Most photographers today utilize online proofing.  This means that within a few weeks, your photos will be available for you to preview and order.  This may seem like an easy step, but consider that you could have as many as 800 images to review and make selections for a wedding album or family and friends.  And because this is for both of you, it will most likely require you both looking at the images and deciding which ones you love and want to order.  Setting aside specific time that you both are available without disruption will be the best and least stressful way to tackle this project.  And it is a project - don't underestimate the discussions that will ensue over picture selections!

Preserve the Wedding Dress.  It may seem silly to have this on your post wedding to do list, but life will get busy quickly after you return and before you know it, the wedding dress has gotten pushed to the back of the closet and forgotten about.  The next time it is seen is when you are painting and need to empty the closet out.  It is then that you realize it has been nearly eight years and you have never taken care of this step.  So, put it on your post wedding step list and check it off early.  Or, if you are electing to donate it or sell it, do it early as well so that it is in the best condition. 

Host Appreciation Dinner.  There were probably many contributors to your wedding.  Parents, siblings and close friends may have all pitched in and supported the efforts of your very special day.  Be sure to have a plan to thank everyone and let them know how much it meant to you that they were there.  If you have a new home or have combined two houses and want to showcase all your new wedding presents, hosting a dinner is a great way to say thank you and show off your post wedding home.  A nice dinner out is always well received too.  The main point is to have the step on your list and be ready to plan something when you get back from your honeymoon.​

Send Out Thank You Notes.  If you have gotten a jump start on your thank you notes as gifts came in prior to the wedding then this may not be such an overwhelming task to complete.  However, if you have procrastinated like most people do with their homework, you have a big challenge ahead of you.  The best way to tackle this step is to first create an Excel spreadsheet with gift, sender and address.  If a spreadsheet isn't possible then making a list on any piece of paper that you can check off as you go will enable you to stop and start the process without forgetting where you are at.  This list also becomes extremely valuable if you plan to send out holiday cards or even birth announcements as it is your master address list of friends and family.  Next, block out specific time to work on these notes.  If you need help on what to say or how to handle a particular scenario, refer to Wedding Advice page.

Return Gifts.  This is one step that you don't want to procrastinate in accomplishing.  Not only do most stores have policies on returning items, including gifts, but you may find that an item you simply want to exchange​ has now been discontinued and is no longer available if you have waited too long.  And realistically, if you are wanting store credit in order to select another item, this is a shopping spree that is easy on your wallet.

Write Vendor Reviews.  Participating in someone's wedding is a very personal and sometimes intimate interaction.  For most vendors, they are passionate about what they do and love the end result of a happy couple and a beautiful wedding.  Today, personal accounts of an experience with a vendor carry a tremendous amount of weight with future brides and grooms.  If your vendor met your expectations and added to the richness of your day, be sure and let them know.  Even if it is just a quick e-mail directly to them, it will mean the world and enable them to give other couples that same experience.​

Wedding Dress Shopping

This is the big day!  The dress is the biggest part of the show!  What will you wear?  Who will go with you to pick it out?  What will look best?  These questions and others plague every bride as she begins the journey towards her second love, her wedding dress.  Being thoughtful about the process of selecting your wedding dress, will create an experience that is memorable because of the amazing way it made you feel.

1. Style:  Brides almost never arrive to a dress shop with absolutely no clue as to what they want to wear on their wedding day.  Most have looked online or in magazines to see what styles they would like.  While this is a great way to get a head start, it can also be a source of extreme disappointment.  The style you have in mind might look fabulous on you.  However, there is a chance it might not.  Keeping an open mind when going to look for a dress is an important part of the journey.  You may be completely surprised, but none the less thrilled with the style that actually does look fabulous on you.  I had my heart set on a particular dress from a magazine when I went dress shopping.  It was the first one I tried on at the store and I immediately knew when I saw myself in it that it was not for me.  However, it did not ruin my day and I found there were plenty more styles that I liked even better.

2. Who to take:  Traditionally, only a few people or even just the mother of the bride see the wedding dress before its debut.  Today, brides want to feel more inclusive with their bridesmaids, siblings and sometimes even their fiancé.  This is completely up to the bride, however, this will be an emotional experience and it is always best to choose people who will be emotionally supportive.  Yes, you want people who will honestly give you an opinion on dresses, but opinions and truth can be presented in various ways and taking people along who will present it in a loving, thoughtful way will make your experience that much richer.  When I went to pick out my dress, I took my sister, who was my matron of honor and my mother.  I narrowed it down to two dresses and even went back a second day to try them both on again before I finally chose one.  Once I had narrowed it down to the two, my sister and mother never stated which one they preferred.  They simply told me that I looked beautiful in both and that whichever one I went with would be wonderful.  That was so reassuring to me.  I did try and pressure them a bit to confess which one they preferred, but they never did.  I got to make the final selection and only received accolades from both.  It was an awesome experience and I felt nothing but love and support from them. 

3. Budget! Budget! Budget!:  Did I mention budget? Can you imagine anything worse than looking in the closet at your wedding dress a month after your wedding and then looking at the stack of bills you and your husband have to pay and regretting that you went way over budget on a dress that you only wore for one day?  This can sometimes happen even if you stayed on budget just because of the short time the dress is actually worn.  So, if you have a budget, stick to it.  If you don't have a budget, but really need one, set one prior to going to look at dresses.  Don't live with regret.

4. Don't be afraid to be creative:  There are many options for accenting wedding dresses, so don't be afraid to think outside the wedding dress box.  For example, a colored sash makes a great addition to a dress that might not have the right amount of bling or style for you.  A veil can also drastically change the look of a gown or a rhinestone head piece, if a veil isn't for you.  The point is to not just look at the dress as is, but consider how to give it your own personal touch.  This can be especially important if you have selected a dress that helps you stay on budget, but isn't your ideal gown. 

At Occasions In Print, we are all about helping create the first impression with the elegance and distinction that reflects your style and sensibility. Our Wedding Invitations, Birth Announcements and Stationery are of the highest quality and the greatest value. Each can be personalized and previewed. We offer fine stationery store quality, but with low online prices.