A home or backyard wedding during the warm months is perfect for couples on a budget. Hire a private caterer, or draft a few good cooks in the family to prepare food. Either way, you save thousands. The reception is the biggest expense of a wedding. Once this expense has been taken care of – decide how to save money with the remaining wedding details. Weddings require a cake, decorations, a dress, favors, and programs. Wedding cakes are tricky. Do not underestimate the time that goes into creating a beautiful wedding cake. Cake decorators do charge a lot of money, it may be ideal to hire a family or friend to make your wedding cake. However, make sure they have experience making wedding cakes. This is not the time to get adventurous. If no one is able to make the cake, hire a professional. Saving a few hundred dollars is not worth having an unsightly cake that tastes horrible.
Spend Money Wisely
Wedding invitations and the wedding dress are huge expenses. There are ways to cut the costs on both. Understandably brides want to look beautiful, and they want a dress equally beautiful. Still, make wise decisions. Purchasing a wedding gown for several hundreds or thousands of dollars is not wise when you're working with little funds. When you walk down that aisle no one is going to know – or care- if you spent $100 for your dress, or $1000. Be sensible. Lovely, less expensive gowns are available. Bridal gown rental is also an option. This is worth considering because many bridal gowns are never worn a second time. Hence you spend tons of money on a gown, and then it hangs in the closet for years.
Do-It-Yourself-Ideas
Homemade wedding invitations and favors will also cut your wedding expenses. Anyone who has ever ordered wedding invitation can attest to how expensive they cost. The good thing is that invitations can be easily printed at home using invitation kits. Kits are available at office supply stores and print stores. The only requirement is a computer, printer, and an imagination. Those missing an imagination can consult online or print wedding guides for ideas on how to word invitations. Parting gifts for guests are customary at weddings. Some couples give nice favors such as candle holders, picture frames, etc. A great parting gift that is simple, cheap, and fun are Hershey kisses wrapped in tulle fabric. Gather four or five kisses, wrapped them in tulle, tie a cute colorful ribbon, and call it a day. These can be passed out to guests as they leave the reception. Experience has taught me that food gifts are always a hit with guests.