Economical wedding checklist
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Weddings are expensive, but many American couples are finding that during uncertain economic times, they don't want to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a wedding and choose to find ways to save money or put it to a more practical use. With a little planning, you can have a beautiful wedding without overspending.
Understanding costs
According to CNN Money, the average cost of a wedding is expected to have dropped by $6,000 in 2009. In 2007, the average cost of a wedding was $27,490 and dropped to $21,814 in 2008, according to The Wedding Report, an Arizona research firm.
The bulk of that budget is often spent on the reception, which can include everything from the cake to a sit-down dinner, liquor, champagne, venue rental and music.
Other big ticket items are flowers for the wedding and reception and cost of the bride's dress. Barbara Cameron, author of The Everything Weddings on a Budget Book, reminds brides and grooms to "be willing to spend money on what's important, and be more conservative on the other things."
Receptions
One of the easiest ways to cut costs is to cut the guest list. One of the hardest things brides and grooms have to do is cut the guest list. But if budget is a major consideration, think about what you want from your wedding.
If you feel as if you can't slight second cousins or work associates by not inviting them, then find other ways to scale back such as holding the reception at a venue that is not expensive to rent or holding the wedding in the afternoon and foregoing a full dinner for heavy appetizers.
The time of year you choose for your wedding can impact your costs. Find out when the least busiest months are for the venue you have selected and negotiate a lower price. Also consider other factors, some brides choose the holiday season to get married and save substantially on flowers and decorations because most locations are already decorated for the holidays.
Instead of a full bar, offer only beer and wine. Or plan your wedding for early in the day and have a brunch reception, offering the standard orange juice, coffee and champagne mimosas as drinks.
Find a friend or relative who bakes and decorates cakes and ask them to make your wedding cake to save money, and make your cake even more special. Or ask a bakery to frost a cake with no decorations and decorate yourself with fresh flowers.
Musicians, bands and popular DJs can be expensive for both the wedding and reception. Enlist talented friends or relatives to play at the wedding. Hire a lesser known local band (make sure to hold auditions before you hire) for the reception. Local colleges often have talented jazz or string ensembles who are looking for experience.
Find bargains
Begin saving money by shopping and comparing prices on invitations and other wedding needs.
Enlist friends and family to help you decorate the reception area and hand-make favors. Shop at wholesale florists to make bridal bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres.
Consider asking a talented friend or family member who sews to make your wedding dress or consider renting a dress instead of buying. Shop around for tuxedo rentals that offer the groom's tuxedo for free with the rental of one or more other tuxedo rentals for groomsmen.
Instead of a limo to take the bride and groom to the reception from the wedding site, borrow someone's classic car or a rent a convertible or a high-end car from a local car rental place. If the church and reception venue is in your city's downtown check on public transportation -- it might be fun to 'rent" the downtown bus trolley to take the whole wedding party to the reception.
Renting a bike carriage or the downtown horse-drawn taxi might be considerably cheaper than renting a limo--and a whole lot more fun.
Tags: your wedding, make your, average cost, average cost wedding, brides groomsSource: www.ehow.com
