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Wedding Date and Season

Price and availability of sites are determined by holidays, weather and tourism. Once you choose a site, check the popular and unpopular times for weddings. You can save money if you plan a wedding during a time period when the site is not frequently in use.

You can, however, if you have a wedding during a time period when a lot of weddings take place, share some expenses with other to-be-wed couples. Expenses like the ceremony decorations can be shared and save everyone a bit of money.

Season will affect catering expense. In the summer, food tends to be lighter and people do not eat as much as in the winter. You will also save money on your honeymoon if you plan during the off season. Of course, the off season must be consistent with your honeymoon destination.

Finally, season will also affect the cost of your flowers. Flowers, as you will read later, are more expensive during holidays and if they are not in season. And, if you schedule an early wedding, you can leave right for your honeymoon from your reception thus saving the expense of a honeymoon suite for the evening.

 Organization

The key to having a successful and cost effective wedding is to stay organized. By keeping everything on schedule, you can prevent the additional costs associated with "Rush" charges.

First, you can use the resources included on this site. For example, the Wedding Timeline will provide you with a structure and timeline of activities which need to be completed and by what date. The Budget Planner and Payment Tracker will guide you as you set your budget, help you to keep track of your payments and remind you when they are due. You can print each of the sections in this site and place them in a three ring binder.

Another way to save money and stay organized is to set-up some sort of filing system specially designed for your wedding. This file system can be a real lifesaver. Especially if services and/or products are not completed on time. This file should include everything from contracts, to swatches, to receipts, etc. You can purchase a plastic "file box" at most stationary stores or purchase a cardboard accordion file. Label each section.

Special Savings: Family and Friends

If family and friends offer their help, accept it. It makes them feel part of the process and, can save you a lot of money. Also, make a list of your friends and their special talents and see if you can utilize their talents instead of receiving a gift. For example, if you have a friend who is a perfect harpist, you might ask her to play the processional for you as you enter the church instead of purchasing a gift for you.

Sales People

Try not to make quick and uninformed decisions. The price for quick decision making could be canceled contracts and returned items and this can end up costing more than expected. Therefore, take your time in making important decisions.

Important Savings: Contracts

Make sure you get everything in writing . Your contracts should include all details about all products and services including:

Date of Sale
Business Name
Phone Number
Your Name & Phone Number
Date of Service or Product Delivery
Time of Service or Product Delivery
Location for Product to be Delivered or Service to Take Place
Details of Product or Services Purchased
Payment Arrangements
Check Number for Deposit
Refund Policy
Cancellation Policy
Contact Name and Phone Number
Confirmation Number
Any Free Services or Products Promised

Read every contract thoroughly and search for hidden costs. If you find a problem, immediately contact the manager. If you do not get satisfaction, then contact the Better Business Bureau, consumer action groups and newspaper columns.

Do Not Forget:

Get receipts for every product and/or service you pay for. Whenever possible, pay by credit card. Therefore, If a dispute arises, you can stop payment on your credit card.

In addition, when purchasing your wedding products and services, do not be afraid to negotiate price. Ask for a group discount or some sort of free service. Some Vendors will be more than happy to work with you.

Keep a running record of all deadlines. Confirm order, delivery and prices several times throughout the months leading up to your wedding.

Other Thoughts

Never try to guess the colors, it will eventually cause more problems. To prevent this, keep swatches of your wedding apparel in your purse or your car. You will find this tip can be quite useful and will save you time and money. You will not have to run home to get the swatch, only to come back to the shop and find that the item you were looking at is now sold.

If you are living a long distance from where the wedding will be held, you might see your telephone bill jumping by leaps and bounds. To curb this, only make phone calls if it is important and make these calls only during "off" hours. For short messages which are not time sensitive, consider sending postcards. Or, utilize technology and send free emails.

Have your wedding party have their measurements taken by a professional tailor and have them write measurements down on index cards. This will be a great help when purchasing or renting wedding apparel.
 

Announcements and Invitations

Try not to order elaborate announcements and invitations with heavy paper stock and engraving. Heavy stock requires more postage when mailed and most of what you send will end up in the garbage anyway. Skip elaborate colors. Black script writing on white paper can be very elegant. Unless you are ordering a lot of invitations, order thermograph instead of engraved printing.

 

Save money by announcing your engagement on SouthernColoradoWeddings.com. You can have you and your fiancé's picture on the website where all of your friends and family can come and see your engagement announcement. Furthermore, your friends and family can see which stores you are registered at and purchase your gifts online.

 

Order only as many announcements and invitations that you will need.. Purchase standard size invitations. Oversized invitations also cost more to send. Do not go to the expense of sending an engagement announcement if you have an engagement party. The party can serve as your "formal" announcement. Also, you do not need to purchase "Reception Cards." Instead, have reception information placed on lower corner of your invitations (provided, of course, everyone who is invited to the ceremony is also invited to the reception).

 

For your envelopes, you may want to consider doing your own embossing with a stamp. Consider printing the invitations yourself. If you have a computer and printer, you're on your way. There are several paper discount warehouses that sell paper via mail order at a reasonable rate. You can also investigate whether your Church, Synagogue or any organizations sell wedding invitations at a discounted price. Also, you may save some money if you order your invitations from an out-of-home stationer. However, make sure that person has good references.

Wedding Party

Keep it small. Do not include people in your wedding party just because you feel obligated to do so.

Gift Registry

For gift registry make a list of things you could really use (i.e. tools and household appliances) and register for those items. Write down specific model numbers, colors and description of item so that you get exactly what you want.

On your gift registry form, write down the color motif of your home. It will help your guests pick and purchase appropriate items for your home.

Request a print-out of your registry and check for mistakes. Keep the registry updated. Remove items as you receive them. This will ensure that you do not receive duplicates of the same item.

Go to the gift registry and register yourself online for gifts. Your friends and family can then go online to the stores you registered at and purchase your gift online.

Bridal Shows

Bridal Shows are a great place to collect information and business cards of companies that specialize in wedding celebrations.

Be observant. If you see something you like, try to figure how you can make the same thing yourself. In addition, some businesses offer certain discounts only at these shows. Do not allow this to cause you to act on impulse and get in the way of your making an informed decision on the product or service purchase.

Ceremony and Receptions Sites

The key to saving money when choosing a ceremony and reception site is to have both the ceremony and reception at the same location. In addition to not having to pay for an additional site, you save the cost of transportation from one site to the other.

When choosing the most economical and appropriate site for your ceremony and reception, list every club, organization even college that you and your fiancé and your respective families are affiliated with to see if they may offer you a site at a reduced cost. For example, many churches will charge their members less money to use their sites.

You may also wish to consider the following locations for a ceremony and reception.

• Anywhere outdoors. Most locations such as your parent's home or garden, can be available for free or for a small fee. However, make sure that you have an alternate location in case you need one for bad weather.

• Restaurant

• Social Club

• Country Club

• Community Center

• Winery

• You or Your Parents Home or Mansion

• College or Military Chapel

• City Sites

Another good resource for a location would be if your family, relative or friend owned a location such as an Inn in the mountains, a yacht or a mansion. You could ask if they would let you use the facility as their wedding gift to you. Also, local historical societies can provide you with a list of free or economical locations within the area.

Catering

Choose a reception location that allows you to bring in an outside caterer. If your reception site allows you to bring in outside caterers, ask the site coordinator for a recommendation.

Hold your wedding during "off hours" and on "off days."

For example, a reception lunch, brunch or dessert will probably cost you less than a reception dinner. Saturdays seem to be the most frequent day for weddings so try to plan your wedding at another time.

When choosing a meal, choose entries which are less labor intensive. Whether or not you have the food served is up to you. A buffet or self-serve style of meal may save you the expense for "waiters and waitresses" but you may have to pay more for the food. However, people who serve themselves tend to take more food. While having your guests served may cut down on the food expense, once again, it adds the expense for the " waiters and waitresses."

Another savings expense is alcohol. See if you can purchase your own from a wholesale club. To cut your expenses even further, purchase only "house" brands, serve hors d'oeuvres with drinks and plan to close down the bar early. Finally, see if you can provide your own bar service.

 Engagement Party

An engagement party is the perfect time for celebrating your good news. Engagement parties do not need to cost a fortune. For example, instead of having the party at a hall or club, why not have it at home? Or, instead of a formal engagement party, announce your engagement at a family gathering or online at SouthernColoradoWeddings.com.

And, instead of catering the whole party, have only one part of the party catered, or for fun, have an earlier get-together with the wedding party and prepare the meal and/or hor d'oevures. Or, consider purchasing pizza dough, assemble a variety of toppings and let everyone at the party make their own pizzas.

Engagement/Wedding Rings

Since your engagement and wedding rings are investments that you will wear throughout your life, make sure you do the appropriate research and learn everything you can about purchasing a diamond before you buy that engagement ring. Familiarize yourself with the 4-C's

Watch for sales. Wherever you buy your rings, make sure the company is reputable and check out their reputation with the Better Business Bureau.

Following are cost saving ideas for wedding ring purchase:

- Check out antique shops and sales. You never know what you will find there.

- For your wedding bands, consider purchasing silver instead of gold.

- Plain gold bands are much cheaper than ornamental ones with gems.

- "His/Her" packages can save money.

- Consider having a local artist or student design and make your wedding bands.

- Rings handed down through the family, can hold a very sentimental meaning. Or, perhaps have stones from a family ring reset into a different wedding band.

- For your engagement ring, purchase stones and setting separately and then have the stones placed into the setting.

-Instead of buying brand new from a jeweler, inquire about their estate sale selections.

 Favors/Guests Gifts

Make your own favors and guests gifts. Or, have your own pre-wedding party with your wedding party and have everyone chip in to make favors with you. Some favor ideas:

-  Homemade chocolates placed in tiny, decorative boxes

- Homemade sachets.

- A poem written on parchment which can be framed.

- You can purchase inexpensively a small picture frame. Use this frame to mark seating. Later include a photo of you with your thank-you note that can be placed in this picture frame as a small memento of the occasion.

Flowers and Decorations

See if the ceremony site will be decorated for a holiday or some other special occasion. If another wedding is taking place on the same location on the same day, see if you can share the decorating expenses.

Check prices with a wholesaler. A shop that grows flowers on-site charges less than one who brings flowers into the facility.

Look for a new shop which seems eager to get your business and which is looking to establish a good business relationship.

When purchasing flowers:

• Use a price chart outlining which flowers are the most popular and most economical. Exotics are usually the most expensive because they have to be shipped. They are also the most fragile.

• Order flowers that are in-season.

• Miniature flowers usually cost less that full size varieties.

• Order plenty of greenery and Queen Anne's Lace to increase flower volume in bouquets. Also sprays give the impression of more flowers. You my also "beef" up arrangements by including branches for your favorite flowering tree.

When purchasing flowers from a shop, eliminate the delivery fee by picking-up the flowers and decorations yourself or assigning a member of the wedding party to be in charge of this.

Ordering only the flowers from a flower shop and making your own arrangements, bouquets, etc. will cut florist labor expenses.

You can also grow your own flowers and again, make your own arrangements, bouquets, etc. to save costs. Supplies for boutonnieres, corsages, etc. can be obtained from large craft stores or nurseries.

The following is a list of other floral cost saving ideas:

• Use bows instead of flowers for the church pews.

• Make your own chuppah with home grown flowers.

Rather than purchasing them, use rose pedals from your garden for the flower girl's

• basket

• Use potted plants to decorate the reception location. Perhaps your florist or a nursery can lend you some.

• Consider using dried flowers for arrangements.

• Before you purchase an aisle runner, see if the church has one you can use.

Allow your florist to order the most affordable and least expensive flower the week of your wedding. (You need to have total faith in your florist in order to do this).

Centerpiece Ideas

Flowers from your garden in vase.

Arrange several candles -- all different heights and widths -- with flowers and greenery framing the base of the candles.

Float candles in a large glass bowl filled with water.

Choose a balloon arrangement instead of flowers.

Music

Ceremony
For the ceremony, see if you can negotiate in the cost of the location's choir with the site fee. If that is not possible, you may ask a friend or relative to perform at the ceremony as a gift to you.

A word of caution-- make sure that the relative or friend has performed before. The last thing you need to worry about is if the music is off key or if it is loaded with mistakes.

Another savings idea is to have only one musician perform during the entire ceremony. A harpist, for example, can add an elegant touch throughout the ceremony.

Reception
This same harpist can perform music during the cocktail reception at the beginning of the reception.

Compare the musician's or DJ's fees per hour as oppose to a flat fee. Don't forget to question overtime charges.

You may be able to negotiate a package deal if you use the same musicians for the ceremony as you do for the reception. Consider hiring a college student or a trio to perform -- many times these young adults are eager to gain performance experience.

If you decide to hire a DJ, why not have a family or friend serve in this capacity as their gift to you. Again, you may consider a college student. Just make sure whoever you choose has experience. Keep in mind, the DJ can either "make" or "break" your wedding reception. Remember that you are hiring a "Master of Ceremonies" (MC) not just someone who can play music.

See if the reception hall will let you use their sound system to play music during the breaks. Or, rent a jukebox. Just make sure that it provides enough variety and selections to suite everybody's tastes and preferences.

Photography/Videography

To save money here, hire an independent photographer or videographer -- one who does not have to sustain a high amount of overhead.

Order only the professional service. It may only be necessary to have the photographer at the ceremony and at the beginning of the reception.

Also, you may wish to have a percentage of your photos in black and white rather than purchasing all of them in color.

Skip any extras such as frames or albums. Instead, add the bridal album to your bridal registry.

Order all prints and videos together. Request a discount for ordering in bulk.

Use the videographer at the ceremony only. This is also the only place where you would need multi-camera coverage.

To supplement the pictures which are taken, have disposable cameras on each table of the reception for guests to use.

If you attempt to get pictures developed, see if you can get a bulk discount.

Rental Items

When items are delivered inspect them carefully and note any chips, dents, cracks, etc. Have delivery person initial your comments and have someone from your wedding party contact the company where you rented the item to inform them about the damage. This should save you from having to pay for damages which were already there. In addition, immediately following usage, have items cleaned, disassembled and ready for pick-up so that you do not incur late charges.

Transportation 

See if a friend or relative has a unique vehicle you can use for transportation. Perhaps they could provide it for your use as a gift. If that is not possible, consider renting a luxury or unique vehicle and have your Best Man drive the car. Or, if the ceremony and reception are near each other, consider walking or taking a horse and buggy ride from one site to the other.

If you do decide to rent a limousine, consider purchasing one for the bride and groom to travel in and provide alternate transportation for the wedding party.

If you opt to rent limos for everyone, see if you can get a discounted rate for ordering more than one vehicle. You can also save money by skipping the "Bridal Package." You probably won't have the time to enjoy it anyway.

 Bridal Gown

Purchasing an inexpensive gown can be very tricky. Probably the cheapest way to purchase a bridal gown is to search the outlet stores. You can also check antique and consignment shops, garage sales, the classifieds, any place you can think of where someone might be trying to sell a gown they no longer need.

Buy simple -- the length of your gown and the type of fabric, the detail -- all this affects the price. Compare fabric prices.

Discontinued gowns will be cheaper but will also require a special effort to locate. Also, if you find a dress with a flaw, you may be able to negotiate a discount with the shop. Sometimes these damaged goods can be obtained as a decent price and may not be difficult to fix like new.

When purchasing a gown, make sure the dress you order is to your exact measurements. Have the dress shop order a dress that most closely measures your largest measurement. The shop may order a bigger size. Don't let them do this. You want to save any alternation fees.

Check when new shipments arrive at a bridal shop. This is one way to beat the crowd and find a dress that may not be so expensive.

If bridal gowns seem to be more than you are willing to spend, consider purchasing a white

dress and turning it into a gown. If done properly, nobody will know. Plus, after the wedding, you can turn the gown back into the white dress for future use. Or, if you see a beautiful bridesmaid's dress, order it in white. Both are excellent ways to get mileage for your money.

Another way to save money on your gown, is to have a seamstress make your dress. Or, perhaps you, yourself can make it. You can locate a seamstress by investigating whether any that work in the bridal shops are "moonlighting" on the side.

If you are really daring, you can approach a fashion school and have a student design and make your gown as a project.

During your fittings, make sure you wear everything you will wear under your wedding dress to ensure proper alterations and so you won't incur additional cost for last minute changes.

Hidden costs which can add up include:

• underwear

• slip

• shoes

• headpiece

• veil

Purchase only those items that you absolutely need to have.

Other ways to save:

·         Ask for free services that may be offered by a bridal shop when you purchase a gown from them

·         Consider renting a gown instead of purchasing

·         Buy a sample or display gown

Note: Make sure it can be cleaned without being destroyed

·         Borrow a friend's or relative's gown

Headpiece, Veil & Shoes

Wear flowers in your hair instead of a headpiece. Or, consider renting the headpiece and veil.

Check the classifieds for headpieces and veils for sale. Purchase plain shoes from a shoe store and decorate with clip-ons or try ballerina slippers. You may want to check antique shops for lace-up boots.

Wedding Party

Bridesmaids/Flower girl

When purchasing bridesmaids gowns, the same savings secrets hold true as for the bridal gown. In addition, ask the bridal shop if it is possible to receive a group discount.

If purchasing a small amount of bridal gowns, consider checking antique or consignment shops.

You may opt to have the bridesmaids purchase a dress they can use for other special occasions or even rent their dresses.

No need for the flower girl to purchase a special dress. She can wear her very favorite party dress (provided it fits with the color scheme of the wedding) and shoes or ballet slippers.

Groomsmen/Users/Ring Bearer
It is easier to save money on the men. Compare prices for tuxedos. When you have chosen a rental outfit for the tux's, see if the shop will give the groom his tux for free. Make sure to allow enough time for tailoring so that you do not incur any rush charges.

Men may want to purchase their own dark shoes that can be worn again in the future. The men can also wear their own dark suits and dark shoes.

The ring bearer can wear either his own dark suit or his parents can rent a tuxedo jacket, and he can wear his own plain white shirt and shorts.

Wedding Cake

Consider making your own cake. Or, contact your family bakery and see what they can offer to you. Also, check out the classified section of your local paper to find people who make special cakes as extra income. Make sure that you check references before you hire a baker.

 

Consider hiring a "home-ec" class to make a cake for you as a project.

Since several people will probably skip the cake due to dietary constraints, order less cake than the number of people who will be attending your reception. (You can always make a cake look larger using Styrofoam).

Finally, save the cost of a special top and decorate with wild flowers.

 Wedding Date and Season

Price and availability of sites are determined by holidays, weather and tourism. Once you choose a site, check the popular and unpopular times for weddings. You can save money if you plan a wedding during a time period when the site is not frequently in use.

You can, however, if you have a wedding during a time period when a lot of weddings take place, share some expenses with other to-be-wed couples. Expenses like the ceremony decorations can be shared and save everyone a bit of money.

Season will affect catering expense. In the summer, food tends to be lighter and people do not eat as much as in the winter. You will also save money on your honeymoon if you plan during the off season. Of course, the off season must be consistent with your honeymoon destination.

Finally, season will also affect the cost of your flowers. Flowers, as you will read later, are more expensive during holidays and if they are not in season. And, if you schedule an early wedding, you can leave right for your honeymoon from your reception thus saving the expense of a honeymoon suite for the evening.

 Material Provided by www.Advol.com