Weddings are a special time where a bride and groom decide to invite their closest family and friends to celebrate one of the happiest days of their lives. Having a special day and a great reception don't have to cost too much. Here are some tips to have a great wedding at a great price.
Another idea is to look for a bridesmaid dress that is available in white or ivory. Bridesmaids' gowns are often significantly cheaper, but can function just as well for a somewhat casual wedding.
Need an even cheaper option? Just check out regular department stores and discount stores for general dresses. Not all white dresses are wedding dresses. Even a simple, plain dress can look special with the right accessories and pretty hair and make-up.
Check with the town for some public spaces such as pavilions and community centers. These can often be rented for a nominal fee, and can be decorated to rival any fancier location. Community groups such as the VFW or American Legion might also have facilities available for rent.
Having a wedding at a less traditional time can cost less. This can include afternoons, Fridays or Sundays, or even if the off-season. Many reception halls have cheaper packages for these less-popular times. However, guests might not be that happy with a Friday evening wedding since they will need to take time off work. This can be especially difficult for anyone traveling a long distance to attend.
Flowers and plants aren't the only options for attractive centerpieces. The couple can design centerpieces from any number of supplies available at craft stores. These can include votive candles, stones, glass beads, mirrors, etc.
Favors are another wedding decision that doesn't have to cost a lot of money. Most wedding guests have no use for many favors, and they agree that edible favors are preferable. Look for candy in the grocery store and put it into individual cellophane bags for favors. Shop clearance candy after major holidays (Halloween, Valentine's Day, etc) to get great deals.
Even less expensive is having a cocktails and hors d'oeuvres reception. Guests don't need a full meal to have a great time. It's the quality of the food that counts, not the quantity.
A potluck reception is a great idea for a casual and small reception. If every guest brings a dish, the couple doesn't need to spend much on food themselves.
These tips allow couples to have a great wedding ceremony and reception without having to spend too much money. And don't forget, the most important part of a wedding is watching the couple celebrate one of the happiest days of their lives. Remember that and try not to stress about the cost of the big day.
Also, the bride may be able to find a tailor who can alter the dress and correct any flaws for a fraction of what it might otherwise cost. If there is no floor sample price on the tag of the dress, the bride should inquire as to what the cost of the sample would be. Some boutiques do not put a sample price on the dress, as they prefer to encourage brides to purchase a new dress.
Bridesmaid dresses as wedding dresses are also suitable for brides who prefer a more informal look, or as an inexpensive option for the bride to change into for the wedding reception. Brides considering a beach wedding or destination wedding may also find this to be a money-saving, lightweight alternative to the traditional wedding gown.
Shop consignment shops and thrift stores. The stock rotates often, so it may pay to check back frequently, or ask the shop owner to call when something new arrives.
Online services such as NetBride.com provide authentic dresses for a fraction of the cost of a brick and mortar store. Other online options like wedding planning forums host a "for sale" section for their online users.
Several charities, such as Brides for Breast Cancer, take once-worn wedding dresses and resell them at a lower cost. Not only does it raise money for charity, it saves a new bride considerable amounts of money.
Ask for a cash discount. Often when paying cash, or even the entire amount up front, the bridal salon will offer you a discount for paying for the wedding gown in full.
Purchasing a wedding dress within a tight budget requires patience, resourcefulness, and a thorough search, but it can be done. Many brides have saved hundreds of dollars, sometimes thousands, over the retail cost of the wedding without anyone at the wedding knowing how they did it. Make sure to check out these ideas for what to do with the wedding dress when the wedding is over.
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Deals on Wedding Dresses
Internet auction site eBay is well-known for people buying and selling collectibles. There is also a huge market for used and new wedding gowns. Found the right gown in a high-priced formal-wear boutique? Check eBay with the gown's model number and chances are you'll find it for cheaper.
Another idea is to look for a bridesmaid dress that is available in white or ivory. Bridesmaids' gowns are often significantly cheaper, but can function just as well for a somewhat casual wedding.
Need an even cheaper option? Just check out regular department stores and discount stores for general dresses. Not all white dresses are wedding dresses. Even a simple, plain dress can look special with the right accessories and pretty hair and make-up.
Wedding Ceremony and Reception Sites
There are many options for inexpensive wedding and reception venues. Public parks, specifically gardens, can be a great place for a spring, summer, or fall wedding. However, the bride and groom will have to deal with the public watching their most special moments. Public parks also will force the couple to handle most things themselves, such as getting permits, renting and setting up chairs, and more.Check with the town for some public spaces such as pavilions and community centers. These can often be rented for a nominal fee, and can be decorated to rival any fancier location. Community groups such as the VFW or American Legion might also have facilities available for rent.
Having a wedding at a less traditional time can cost less. This can include afternoons, Fridays or Sundays, or even if the off-season. Many reception halls have cheaper packages for these less-popular times. However, guests might not be that happy with a Friday evening wedding since they will need to take time off work. This can be especially difficult for anyone traveling a long distance to attend.
Setting the Wedding Atmosphere
Fresh cut flowers as centerpieces for every table can add up in cost. One inexpensive yet equally beautiful option is to have potted plants as centerpieces. This idea is also good for people who don't like the thought of killing plants for decoration, or those who want the centerpieces to live on. Flowering potted plants can be matched to the color theme of the wedding, and cost a lot less since there is no cost to arrange the flowers. Potted plants are available in a variety of prices.Flowers and plants aren't the only options for attractive centerpieces. The couple can design centerpieces from any number of supplies available at craft stores. These can include votive candles, stones, glass beads, mirrors, etc.
Favors are another wedding decision that doesn't have to cost a lot of money. Most wedding guests have no use for many favors, and they agree that edible favors are preferable. Look for candy in the grocery store and put it into individual cellophane bags for favors. Shop clearance candy after major holidays (Halloween, Valentine's Day, etc) to get great deals.
Budget Reception Tips
An enjoyable and formal wedding needn't always include a sit-down served meal. Many reception venues offer a buffet package. Lots of money can be saved by having guests serve themselves. Buffets also have the benefit of allowing guests to choose from several options, or sample a little bit of everything.Even less expensive is having a cocktails and hors d'oeuvres reception. Guests don't need a full meal to have a great time. It's the quality of the food that counts, not the quantity.
A potluck reception is a great idea for a casual and small reception. If every guest brings a dish, the couple doesn't need to spend much on food themselves.
These tips allow couples to have a great wedding ceremony and reception without having to spend too much money. And don't forget, the most important part of a wedding is watching the couple celebrate one of the happiest days of their lives. Remember that and try not to stress about the cost of the big day.
How to Shop for Wedding Dresses On A Budget
Wedding dresses come in all shapes and sizes. But they also come in all price ranges, sometimes edging upward of $10,000. With the average cost of a wedding in the United States running into the five figures, brides are looking for ways to save. And believe it or not, finding the dress of the bride's dreams while working on a budget is easier than it may seem.Buying The Floor Sample
Most bridal stores and bridal boutiques offer discounts if the bride is willing to purchase the floor sample. Since the sample is the dress that other potential buyers have tried on, it may show some wear and tear. However, if the bride has someone who can sew in her family, or is crafty with a sewing machine herself, fixing any minor issues of wear may be relatively easy to save hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars.Also, the bride may be able to find a tailor who can alter the dress and correct any flaws for a fraction of what it might otherwise cost. If there is no floor sample price on the tag of the dress, the bride should inquire as to what the cost of the sample would be. Some boutiques do not put a sample price on the dress, as they prefer to encourage brides to purchase a new dress.
Buy a Bridesmaid Dress In White Or Ivory
A lot of companies are manufacturing what are typically seen as bridemaid dresses in white or ivory, making them suitable for many brides as well. Bridesmaid dresses can start as low as $50, and typically run no higher than $500, which make them an ideal choice for a bride on a budget. Additionally, bridesmaid dresses in white or ivory typically cost less to have altered, creating additional savings.Bridesmaid dresses as wedding dresses are also suitable for brides who prefer a more informal look, or as an inexpensive option for the bride to change into for the wedding reception. Brides considering a beach wedding or destination wedding may also find this to be a money-saving, lightweight alternative to the traditional wedding gown.
Other Ways To Save On A Wedding Dress
Ask a local bridal boutique if they rent wedding dresses. This is becoming more and more popular, with some places offering nationwide service.Shop consignment shops and thrift stores. The stock rotates often, so it may pay to check back frequently, or ask the shop owner to call when something new arrives.
Online services such as NetBride.com provide authentic dresses for a fraction of the cost of a brick and mortar store. Other online options like wedding planning forums host a "for sale" section for their online users.
Several charities, such as Brides for Breast Cancer, take once-worn wedding dresses and resell them at a lower cost. Not only does it raise money for charity, it saves a new bride considerable amounts of money.
Ask for a cash discount. Often when paying cash, or even the entire amount up front, the bridal salon will offer you a discount for paying for the wedding gown in full.
Purchasing a wedding dress within a tight budget requires patience, resourcefulness, and a thorough search, but it can be done. Many brides have saved hundreds of dollars, sometimes thousands, over the retail cost of the wedding without anyone at the wedding knowing how they did it. Make sure to check out these ideas for what to do with the wedding dress when the wedding is over.
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How to Have a Luxury Ecotravel Wedding in Hawaii
Destination Wedding Locations in the Caribbean
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