A wedding does not have to cost $20,000 to be a memorable event. While some brides think the Martha Stewart-style wedding of their dreams can only come from unlimited funds, couples on a budget can have an amazing wedding if they’re willing to work hard and get creative.
According to Bess Nobel, fashion designer and owner of Bellamissa Bridal Salon, planning a wedding far in advance is the most important step in keeping a tight budget. The first thing to do is to decide where to hold the event. Nobel said churches and other privately owned locations have become more expensive, many costing up to $2000 just to rent the space. A more economical alternative is to spend $500 to spruce up someone’s backyard.
She said other affordable locations include senior centers and city parks, which can cost less than $100 to rent for an event.
Couples also can find ways of saving on tables and chairs and table settings.
“One of the biggest mistakes people make is ordering enough settings for everyone invited to the wedding,” said Lewis Rucker, owner of Action Rental and Party Time
in Springfield.
Rucker suggests setting a deadline for RSVPs well in advance of the wedding day to allow enough time to adjust the order.
Once the location has been decided, the more personal, exciting details can
be planned.
Ready-made dresses and veils can be
quite expensive.
“Depending on the fabric, quality and design of a dress, a bride can spend anywhere from $200 to $10,000 or more,” Linda Arasmith of Marcia’s Cake and Floral Shoppe said. Ready-made veils are as much as $50 to $100.
Nobel said it has become increasingly popular for a bride to have her mother’s wedding dress remade into a more modern style, which can cut down costs.
“If a girl likes her mother’s dress, I can remake it for $200 to $300,” she said.
This is more affordable than the $800 to $1,000 it costs to have Nobel make a dress from scratch. She said brides can easily make their own veils for about $15 if sewing skills are not an issue. Borrowing jewelry from a friend or relative is another way to save money, she said.
Couples can also save money on food. Homemade food is less expensive than hiring a professional caterer. Nobel said one of her clients had friends cater the food and then transfer it to fancy bowls and platters, and the guests hardly noticed that a professional caterer was not hired. She adds that having a buffet style dinner rather than a served full-course meal also saves a lot of money.
Alcohol is another expense that can add up. Nobel suggests finding a tasty wine under $10 a bottle, steaming the labels off and making custom labels for the wedding. It adds a personal touch and keeps the price per bottle a secret.
Photographers can also be very expensive. A cheap alternative is to get a referral of an amateur photographer from a professional. Many amateurs will take the photos for a small fee if the film is provided.
And for flowers, growing them at home rather than ordering them through a florist is a great way to save money, Nobel said.
“If the wedding will be in July, make sure to plant flowers that will bloom in July,”
she said.
It is important to remember that a wedding can cost as much or as little as someone’s budget will allow.
“Many people try to plan with their emotions instead of common sense,” Rucker said.