SPRING BRIDES | MONEY
A Day Within Budget
C
ouples planning their
weddings realize pretty
quickly just how
expensive weddings can be.
Depending on where couples tie
the knot, the costs can stretch
into the tens of thousands of
dollars, leaving many young
men and women to scramble to
fi nd ways to trim costs without
trimming quality.
Many couples look for ways to
cut wedding costs, and couples
facing that very dilemma should
know that there are several ways
to save money but still host the
wedding of their dreams.
Guest list
Guest lists can consume a
signifi cant portion of couples’
wedding budgets. When com-
piling the guest list, couples
should keep in mind that guests
will need save-the-date cards,
invitations, catered meals
(including cocktail hour, dinner
and dessert), drinks, and gifts
(including hotel gift bags and
wedding favors). So the cost
per guest will be more than just
the per person cost of the meal
couples negotiate with their
caterer. Couples who can pare
their guests lists down to just
family and close friends can
save a substantial amount of
money without affecting their
ceremonies.
Reception
A couple’s wedding reception
also will chew up a lot of their
18
wedding budgets. But there are
ways to reduce the costs of re-
ceptions, too. Couples planning
on having a morning wedding
can shift their receptions from
the evening to the afternoon,
when the cost per meal will be
considerably less. Afternoon
receptions also can be alco-
hol-free, saving couples even
more money. If a nighttime re-
ception is a must-have, choose
a limited cash bar instead of an
open bar. Limited cash bars of-
ten provide guests with free beer
and house wine while guests
who prefer liquor or mixed
drinks must pay for their own
libations. If you are planning
an outdoor wedding reception,
you may even be able to provide
your own alcohol, which can
save considerable amounts of
money.
Couples also can trim reception
costs by choosing the least ex-
pensive meal package. Packages
often differ greatly in price but
are not always so different with
regard to their menus. If you
fi nd the packages offered by
your venue are similar, choose
the least expensive option.
Arrangements
Floral arrangements are a big
and potentially expensive part
of many couples’ weddings. The
bride needs her bouquet, as do
her bridesmaids. In addition,
many couples decorate their
ceremony space with fl owers,
and of course reception table
centerpieces typically include
fl owers as well. When working
with your fl orist, request in-sea-
son fl owers, which will cost
considerably less than exotic
fl owers that are out of season.
In addition, let your fl orist know
your budget and ask that he or
she recommend fl owers that
won’t break the bank.
Gifts
While it’s become customary
to prepare gift bags for guests
staying in hotels, couples should
not go overboard with such gifts.
Gift bags need not include more
than a snack, a bottle of water
and a homemade thank-you
card. Couples also should not
break the bank with regard to
reception gifts, which have also
become a standard offering.
Keep such gifts simple and inex-
pensive, even opting for home-
made gifts if you and your future
spouse are skilled with crafts.
Wedding costs can be eye-open-
ing for couples preparing to
walk down the aisle. Fortunate-
ly, there are many ways to cut
costs without cutting quality.
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Wedding Planner 2016 • East Oregonian / Hermiston Herald