Every girl dreams of a wonderful wedding, with all of the glitz, glamour, and beauty one associates with the day. Modern couples can spend $10-20,000 on preparations for their magical day. This is a huge outlay at the beginning of a new life together when it is possible to have a dream wedding and still rein in some of the costs. Here are a few ideas on how to achieve this.
Stationery
The wedding invitations are the first clue your guests have of the style and formality of the upcoming wedding. They should reflect the occasion as well as the couple’s personalities. Choices are abundant and for a little leg work and creative time, huge savings are possible.
A printing outlet provides a range of parchments, papers, envelopes, and patterns from which to choose. These are perfect if you have skills with a computer and the confidence to prepare and send the invites. Doing your own stationery gives you complete creative control over the invitations, reply cards, place cards, service sheets, and thank you notes: font, wording, colour, and style.
If you don’t want the hassle of preparing your own, then shop around for best options. Ask for quotes from printers, stationery suppliers, internet-based firms, and wedding specialists.
Flowers
Ask around friends and family for someone with skills in flower arranging, and who is willing to help with the wedding arrangements. This person could make the floral arrangements for church and reception – often transporting the same flowers from one venue to the next. If they are very skilled they could assist with sprays for the parents, men’s buttonholes, and potentially the bouquets. Visit a fresh flower market or florist and plan what will be available at the time of the nuptials. The style and content of any floral elements can be designed and pre-planned, leaving the volunteer to purchase the supplies as close to the wedding day as possible.
Consider different styles available for the bride’s bouquet. If a large, trailing bouquet is desirable, then shop around for the best pricing. However, there are simpler options to consider, which are quite popular. For example a bunch of lilies tied with ribbon, or a single long-stemmed rose makes an understated but elegant look.
The Dress
Research what is available on the market. Some hire dresses cost a lot of money, and surprisingly may be very similar to having a dress made that you get to keep. Friends or family with advanced dressmaking skills, small-business tailors, and commercial dressmakers are all options to investigate.
Small design changes in the dress can provide savings – lighter-weight satin, selective lace rather than all-over, or choose decorative elements to add sparkle instead of choosing costlier fabrics. Faux pearls, metallic and satin ribbons, or lace with a silver/gold thread through it provide a stunning look for minimal cost.
Do not assume that one option is going to be cheaper than the next, but research into the costs, being careful to consider obvious and hidden factors. I have paid for the making of two wedding dresses. In both cases I sourced and paid for the fabrics, patterns, and extras such as cotton thread. In the first instance I hired a professional tailoress and for the second, a talented friend. Both dresses cost the same to make, but there was a distinct difference in the end products.
Weddings should not financially cripple a couple as they begin their new life. Making a few careful changes to the plans can save costs, leave the guests none the wiser, and still fulfill all of the romantic dreams.
