Use Professionals Sparingly

There is definitely a place for the professional photographer at your wedding event. However, most people spend way too much on this budget line-item because they don’t understand what the other options are. Professional photographers base their pricing around the time that they will spend at the venue, as well as how many photographs they have to sort through, edit and process. Because of this, ask the professional for a small amount of formal shots and maybe the most important parts, such as the actual ceremony. It may also be cheaper to have a smaller session at another time for bridal portraits. It is easier for the photographer to wrangle you and your spouse alone than with the hustle and bustle surrounding the wedding party. Try to keep the time that your photographer spends to about an hour. Finally ask about discounts that may be available. For example, doing both your engagement and wedding pictures with the same person may earn you access to lower price points.

Rely on Family and Friends

Amateur photography is a popular hobby; it’s likely that you know someone who likes to play around with this technology. If this is the case, ask them to take pictures in lieu of a more traditional gift. They can take more shots of the poses that the professional sets up, as well as being available during the parts of the event that aren’t being covered by anyone else.
You can also ask your guests to share their digital wedding photos on a communal photo-sharing website. Many of these are now available, which are often free, and photos can be uploaded with users having access to a password allowing them to download and share with you shots of your memorable day.

Casual Can Work

Many couples find that a casual approach to photography provides some really fun shots that they wouldn’t otherwise have access to. Using disposable cameras is inexpensive and your guests can get in on the action. Even kids can have fun with this. Once the event is over, the cameras are left on the table and you can process the photographs later. While you are unlikely to get the quality needed for display shots, these pictures are perfect for wedding albums. However, there are often surprises, which is part of the fun.

Photographs provide one of only lasting physical pieces of evidence to remind you of the joy of your newly married life. Time passes quickly and things will change on an ongoing basis. Having the memories that are captured by good wedding photos can bring comfort and focus as you build your life together. You probably won’t spend as much as you would think, especially if you implement these budget-saving solutions.
 

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Don’t worry. This doesn’t have to be as stressful as it looks. The first thing you should do when trying to decide who to invite to your wedding is write down everyone you can think of who you may consider inviting. Then, put them in order of importance.

It may seem cruel to grade some people in your life as more important than others. However, when it comes to your budget, this is very necessary. It’s not as hard as you think. Your parents, for instance, will likely come before your co-workers. And your sister or brother will probably come before your best friend. When you’ve created your list, decide how much it’s going to cost for each head. You’re going to be feeding and entertaining these people. That takes money. Once you have a figure in mind, divide it amongst all the people on your list and you’ll soon see whether or not you have to cut anyone.

When it comes to cutting, start at the bottom of the list and move your way up. If you’re worried about offending those people, just tell them the truth; you didn’t have that big of a budget or that you just wanted a small wedding. They never have to know. You can also perhaps just invite these people to any evening celebrations, and just have close family to the ceremony and wedding breakfast.

When it comes to invitations, etiquette says that you should invite everyone in your family and your friends. You don’t need to invite co-workers if you don’t want to, and you certainly don’t have to invite your acquaintances if you don’t want to. Most people will understand wanting a small ceremony or even budget problems, as most of them have probably faced the same dilemma themselves.

Children

One other hurdle you’ll likely face is whether or not to allow children to be present at your wedding. Children can become unruly and can quickly interrupt one of the most important days of your life. However, you may end up offending parents who may think you’re assuming their kid will be unruly. On the other side they can also bring light and life to the proceedings, making it a real family affair. The basic rule with this is to remain consistent. Don’t allow one person to bring their child if their child is normally docile and then not allow another person to bring theirs. Make one rule and stick to it. On the other hand, kids make great flower girls and ring bearers.

These are just a few ideas to keep in mind when deciding on who to invite to your wedding; a task that doesn’t have to be as hard as it seems.
 

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Having prior information about competitive pricing is a great way to keep the costs of your own wedding down. Negotiating is not about robbing the person who is providing services for your wedding, but coming to a more appropriate common ground when it comes to price. If you are not willing to pay a certain price for the band, the venue, or the caterer then they will lose your business completely.

Many wedding planning businesses and those who contribute their services toward making your wedding a festive event would rather complete the task for you at a better price than lose your business altogether, so it is all about the way you look at things and talk to people.

As far as the venue goes, be sure that you never sacrifice what you want in the name of your pride or a few dollars. There is nothing quite like having your wedding where you want to have it, and unless the deal is good enough there is never a reason to sacrifice what you want for something else. The way to get the venue you want for the price you want and on the day of your wedding, it is important to book the area far enough in advance that you don’t have to come out of six months’ worth of salary to be able to get married. As sad as it is, venue hosts sometimes take advantage of last minute wedding plans and that can mean extremely high venue costs for you in the end. If you want to save money, plan in advance and that is the best way to negotiate a good venue price.

The same goes for negotiating wedding reception venue costs—the earlier the better. Negotiating wedding reception costs are the only way to keep costs down for your wedding. As far as food goes, the caterer is definitely going to be one of the more expensive aspects of your wedding planning. Negotiating costs for wedding reception food is a good way to keep the costs of your wedding under control, rather than compulsorily accepting the offer that the caterer makes to you. Remember that they need your business, and are mostly willing to negotiate price with you. If you are concerned about refreshments, try to keep the appetizers and favors to a minimum—usually these are the things that are left over anyway.

Also, the band or DJ is another aspect of planning a wedding that can get a little expensive. A live DJ is usually cheaper than a live band, but many live bands (especially local ones) can be booked for a great price if you do it well enough in advance.

One key thing to remember is that if you have more than one choice for each thing then you can truly give the impression to the supplier that you are not desperate for their services. You should set a realistic target price in your mind for the service and if the offers you get back are not reasonable be prepare to "come back to them". Often it is helpful to have "someone to consult with" who is not present at the meeting. This could be for real or pretend. If you can’t make a decision without refering to someone else this can help remove any pressure if it being applied to force a decision.

Good luck and remember it is your wedding. Take your time and make sensible decisions and have a budget.

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Tip 1: Schedule your wedding "off-season."

Nearly 70% of all weddings take place between May and October of each year. You will probably find yourself able to get better deals on virtually every wedding service if you schedule your wedding in one of the "off season" months. Also avoid late November through New Year’s, when hotels, caterers and bands are likely to be busy with holiday parties.

What is the best time to set your wedding?

I would suggest setting the date for sometime between October and mid November and between January and May (avoiding Valentine’s Day, when the flower prices peak). On setting up your wedding date off-peak, you will find yourself in a fantastic bargaining position and you will be able to get deals with virtually every vendor!

Tip 2: Cut down on your food and drinks bill

The easiest way to cut down on your food and drinks bill is to cut down on your guest list. It may be painful, but the simple truth is that there is no quicker, easier way to control your budget than by limiting the size of the event. Again, your single biggest cost will be reception food and alcohol, so you can reduce that expenditure by paring down the number of mouths. Remember: Single guests who are not in a serious relationship can be invited solo. Also you may invite parents only; and you need not invite anyone who you have not been in contact with in the last five years, even if they invited you to their wedding.

Tip 3: Buy a non-bridal gown

Bridal gowns aren’t the only white dresses in the world. It may be that the perfect wedding dress for you is not found in a bridal salon, but among the women’s evening wear section of a department store (try the sale rack!). Especially during the last several seasons, while elegant, understated gowns have been in style, the line between bridal wear and formalwear has blurred. You might even find that the perfect gown for you is a more-affordable bridesmaid’s style, done in white or ivory.

Tip 4: Negotiate!

When buying anything marked "wedding" it always has a premium attached to it! So please negotiate! I suggest you start at half price and then work upwards.

Tip 5: Have your ceremony and reception in the same location

There will be no need for limos to take you to the second location. Many houses of worship have halls that are equipped to handle wedding receptions at reasonable fees, especially if you are a member. Likewise, if you are having a civil ceremony, many venues have got a hall, where you could hold the reception. By doing that, you will not need to buy arrival drinks, as this is often bought for people while they are waiting for everyone to arrive.

Tip 6: Selecting your photographer

Instead of selecting a wedding photographer, you will be able to make a saving if you choose an amateur photographer who is about to go professional and requires experience. Obviously, make sure you look at his/her prior work before making your selection. Ask friends and family and you may be surprised who they know. Going to photography colleges may be a good starting point. Obviously, you understand that by doing this, you will be taking a slight risk so if you are not prepared to do that, I will suggest you take a wedding photographer, and agree for him to stay for half of the day instead of the full day. This way, you don’t have to spend as much as if he stayed for the whole day!

Tip 7: Share the costs of the Church flowers

If you’re getting married in church, sometimes you can arrange with other couples getting married on the same day to share the cost of decorating the church. Ask the church who normally supplies their flowers – it’s usually someone local who does it for a hobby and may charge only a small fee to do your flowers. Also getting married a day or two after a big religious event usually ensures the church is well decorated.

Tip 8: Honeymoon

Ask for "honeymoon vouchers" on your wedding list – some travel firms now offer these. This way, people will be contributing to your honeymoon costs.

Tip 9: Hire the groom’s attire

No need to buy the attire, you can rent the groom’s attire between £60 and £90. If you decide to buy it, it would cost you about £200 or more, which the groom will probably not wear again.

Tip 10: Use a venue that doesn’t charge a hiring fee

For example, you could choose your local pub or favourite restaurant. This will save you on the hiring fee, and the cost per head would be cheaper than in a hotel. To find out more, visit http://www.yourweddingforless.co.uk

About the Author

Lillian organised her own wedding on a budget of 5000 pounds. She spent 6 months prior to her wedding researching vendors, comparing products and prices; meeting with photographers; hotel managers; and many more wedding vendors to understand how she could save on each wedding item. She realised that it is possible to have a fantastic wedding without breaking the bank and decided to share her tips with others.

Technorati Tags: Wedding Savings, Wedding Tips

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Planning a wedding can be a stressful event. The last thing you need is to be ripped-off by an unscrupulous wedding vendor or planner. Here are a few tips to help avoid this problem.

Make Your Wedding Arrangements and Bookings As Far In Advance As Possible

Most facilities, vendors, and planners can be booked more than a year in advance. If possible, take advantage of this window of opportunity. Should something go wrong, it will provide you with more time to make alternate arrangements. Also, be aware that some vendors will actually charge you more if you order or book things at the last minute.

Shop Around and Deal With Trustworthy People

Before booking anything you should shop around and get an idea of current prices for each category of your wedding. Don’t just hire the first caterer you meet with. Ask around with family, friends, co-workers, etc. and get their recommendations about services they may have used. If you want to be extra safe in this regard, you could also call your local Better Business Bureau. They can provide you with any problem information they may have received regarding a particular company.

Get Everything in Writing

It would seem obvious to do this, but a lot of couples tend to go on “faith” of what a vendor says, then are shocked with the vendor doesn’t follow through. Get everything, down to the smallest detail, in writing and be sure both you and the vendor agree on all points before signing any contract. Include exact descriptions, such as if you are ordering flowers: how may bouquets, the exact type and color of the flowers, etc.

Be Aware of The Fine Print

Read any contracts over very carefully. Pay particular attention to their cancellation policy. You want to make sure it includes a provision for a refund of the deposit if you cancel or change your wedding date by a certain time period before your wedding. Of course, reasonably, you would not get a deposit back if you cancelled two days before the wedding. Be sure to also include a written statement on the contract that you will not pay for services and will expect a complete refund on any deposits if the company does not deliver exactly as specified in the contract. A reputable company will respect this clause.

Regarding Photographers and DJ’s

When booking these services with a company, often you may wish to have a particular photographer/videographer and DJ for your wedding because you have seen their work or heard their play style and really like it. Make sure this is detailed on the contract with the person’s name. Again, also include the clause that if that particular person is substituted, you will not pay for the service and will receive a refund on all deposits.

This happened at our wedding with the DJ. The one we were told was coming and who knew how our ceremony music was laid out did not show up, and the substitute DJ that showed had no idea how the wedding service was to proceed with the music. There was a mess up with some songs during the ceremony and we had no recourse, as we didn’t include that provision in the contract. So be aware of this. Don’t pay for a last minute substitute (unless you were thoroughly happy with their service).

About the author:
Rose Smith is the owner of Wedding Themes and More, a website designed to help you plan your perfect theme wedding. Visit our site at: http://www.wedthemes.com and check out our Wedthemes Wedding Gazette Blog at: http://wedthemes.blogspot.com

Technorati Tags: Wedding, Wedding planning, Wedding rip offs

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But if this is the case then don’t despair because no matter how low your budget is, you can still have the perfect day to remember and treasure for the rest of your lives together.

I suppose the ultimate low budget wedding is the bride and groom going to the registry office and marrying without ceremony and only inviting a small number of witnesses.

This approach will not appeal to most, hardly anybody wants to get married without at least close family members and friends present. However many do take this spartan approach to their wedding ceremony and go on to live happily ever after with each other so it is not to be sniffed at.

It certainly is the cheapest way to get married with only the registrar or marriage celebrant’s fees to be met.

Most happy couples do at least want to put on a semblance of a show to mark the happy event for their guests. This should be done to a budget, because what starts off as a modest plan, can soon spiral and become too expensive.

There are many ways to keep cost under control.

One of the key things to do is to avoid expensive venues. By picking venues regularly used for weddings you will very often be paying an inflated price.

There are many places, castles, halls, the best hotels, which make excellent venues for wedding parties; however this is reflected in the price, with most of the above charging mega-money to hire out their facilities. Though these will undoubtedly be stunning and worthy places to hold your party you do have to be realistic. If it’s beyond your budget you really have to ask yourself is it worth it?? Would you really have a better time at a place you can’t afford than one you can just for the kudos of being able to say you held your wedding reception there??

The logical answer to that is no, it is people not the place that make wedding parties memorable. So choose somewhere you can easily afford, no matter how tight your budget is, you will be able to easily find a venue that will do you proud.

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It’s a bride’s dream – the perfect dress that makes her groom mouth "wow" as he turns to look at her for the first time. Going for the designer look that dominates the bridal magazines is one path to the dream dress. However it comes at a price. With an investment of your time, you can really save a lot of money. It is very important to have a budget for your dress as part of a bigger budget plan. Investing all your funds on a dress may lead to the bride wearing her ideal dress but the rest of the day being poor in comparison.

The first steps

The best way to decide on who, where and how the dress will be made is to gather all available contacts who could help. These include

• finding close friends who know how to make one
• checking out shops that offer large discounts on old designs and stocks
• for people who are really working on a tight budget, borrow or rent a wedding gown for them to use.
• Evening gown hire shops who might have a vintage dress or other ideas than may save money but still look stunning.

Ask around other recent brides for their contacts and talk to people like local hair dressers and florist for other ideas. You might find someone who doesn’t spend a fortune on advertising and likewise does not charge a fortune. Most importantly as you work through this list of suppliers and start looking a dream dresses … try not to show you have fallen in love with a dress. At least not to the supplier, if you do this they have the advantage in negotiating price.

Negotiate

Try to narrow the list of dresses and supplier down but if you can keep your options open. You need to have a plan B and be able to walk away from a negotiation if it going badly. If you can’t do this you need to be a good actor and be able to pretend to walk away. Being able to walk away and playing one supplier against the other is a key tactic. The supplier needs your money if they act like they don’t then they are either pretending or don’t need your money. If you meet the later you might wonder if you should go somewhere else. Do negotiate, don’t just accept the price on display. Make sure you are talking to the manager when negotiating price. If you can’t get the manager to begin with then press for what you can with the salesperson, get it in writing and then come back later and ask for the manager late. A good way to get started is to ask "how flexible are you on price?". This gives you a big clue. If they appear inflexible you need to appear as inflexible based on your budget. Point out that you have a budget which makes the price an issue. Ask for discounts for paying in advance. If they will be providing bridesmaids dresses ask for a discount on the whole package. Don’t disclose your real budget. If need be have pretend budget slightly lower than your real budget and let the supplier "win" by breaking your "pretend" budget. Don’t give in on this too easily, pick the right time. Another useful tactic is to leave with the offer in writing to consider it. Don’t forget your future husband has to agree to any breaking of the budget this is good excuse to leave. Leaving is very useful to allow you to think clearly and consider thing less emotionally. Leaving also gives you a chance to try negotiating with your plan B supplier. If you feel up to it have a plan C dress which you still love and practice the negotiating with this supplier first. Getting the dress you want is worth the effort, it will feel even better if you managed to negotiate a reasonable price. Just remember the more you save the more you can spend on other areas of your special day.

Technorati Tags: Wedding dress, Wedding Savings

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