Limited
budget? Take a vow to be creative
By Melissa
Watters
When
Casey Schuller was planning her August wedding,
some Net surfing savvy led her to Hawaii...
for flowers.
"We
discovered we could order tropical flowers from
Hawaii over the Internet cheaper than we could
get them locally," Schuller said. "The
arrangements were not as large, but the bright
colors and uniqueness made them very pretty."
The
Independence newlywed saved in other ways, too.
Forgoing
a groom's cake saved money on catering. The
reception site didn't allow alcohol, so it was
off to Sam's Club for pop. A shoe sale at DSW
provided the perfect pumps. And all this meant
that she and her intended could invite whomever
they wanted.
"That
was a choice of ours. We didn't want to cut
the guest list, so we cut in other areas,"
Schuller said.
Even
with champagne taste and a beer pocketbook,
you can have the wedding of your dreams if you
exercise some creativity.
Budgeting
is the primary step
"Sit down with everyone
who is paying for the wedding," said Denise
Fields, co-author with her husband, Alan, of
"Bridal Bargains."
Today,
one-third of all couples pay for their own weddings,
which average $19,945, according to "Bridal
Bargains." For the majority, however, it
is a combination of the bride's parents and
the bride and groom who foot the bill. So when
it comes to planning, talk isn't cheap--it's
essential.
"When
someone is kicking in some money, they may want
a say in the process," said Alan Fields.
Prioritizing
is the other key to creating a wise wedding
Have you always dreamed of a
horse and carriage? Or is your heart's desire
to have hordes of photographs to remember your
special day? Give serious thought to what you
really want. And work with the people you hire
to help attain it.
When
meeting with vendors, Fields says do your homework
first. Make sure that what you want and what
you can spend are realistic.
"Challenge
them if the estimates are too high by saying,
'Help me--how can I achieve what I want with
the money I have?' " Fields said.
Use
these Cost-cutting ideas:
All in the timing:
Thinking about becoming a June bride? So is
everyone else. Considering other times of the
year may afford you more flexibility with your
budget.
"Wedding merchants
have to pay their mortgage year-round. In January
they are really lonely," said Alan Fields.
"The slowest times of the year to get married
are October, November, January and February--except
for Valentine's Day."
Off the beaten
path: "There are amazing places to
have a reception," Alan Fields said. "People
e-mail us all the time about zoos, museums.
These are all very affordable alternatives."
Beer vs. liquor:
Think about what's quicker.
"Most
people believe that a beer and wine reception
is cheaper, but hotel staff tell me that isn't
true. People consume more beer and wine than
hard liquor. As a result the bar tab is higher,"
said Sue Winner, author of "The Complete
Idiot's Guide to Budgeting for Your Wedding."
As
for the popularity of cash bars, Winner warns
that you wouldn't invite people to your home
and make them pay, so you shouldn't invite them
to your wedding and charge. Instead, she says
if you can't afford liquor, punch is proper.
With
the end in mind: Keep sight of your long-term
goals as a couple. Going into debt for the perfect
wedding is never advised.
"Keep
that budget in your face. You want a house someday,
which is a worthwhile goal," Denise Fields
said.
Weddings
often take on a life of their own, and it's
hard not to get carried away by expenses. So,
the Fields suggest keeping in mind the importance
of the special day. "The goal is to see
two people married and have a party (within
their budget)," said Denise Fields. "It
is the being married part that is really cool."
Read
more about Budgeting for Your Wedding
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