When the time comes and the big question is asked, a wedding ceremony is just around the corner. For some, the ceremony is planned sometimes up to a year or more in advance. Setting a date this far ahead will help in saving money for the event. In other cases, the date is much closer and there is much less time available to save. In either case, below are some suggestions that will work with anybody’s budget.
Location
The location of a wedding is important. Traditionally, people prefer to have their ceremony at their local church. In some cases this will work into a budget if the church allows for its use. There are several churches, however, that charge for the use of the church. These costs can eat up a large chunk of your budget.
Alternative locations for weddings can be at a person’s home, the beach, in a camping area, etc. It’s a good idea to check out whether any permits or reservations may be needed to use some of these locations beforehand. The cost of alternative locations can be lower than using a church and sometimes is free.
Decorations
Beautiful weddings usually have flowers, center pieces for the reception, furniture of the same style, and so forth. Flowers can be expensive, take time to prepare, and don’t last for very long. Fake floral arrangements are inexpensive and can be prepared weeks in advance. The other advantage is that a person can do this themselves saving a great deal of money.
Center pieces, wedding toppings, and more can all be purchased from Garden Ridge. Instead of using a runner for the bride to walk down, consider using rose pedals along the bride’s path. Hobby stores such as Michaels and Hobby Lobby have pedals for sale. Not only are they cheaper than purchasing a runner, they add a romantic touch to the ceremony.
Food
If there is a reception planned for after the ceremony, then food is generally expected. Cooking food yourself is generally not a good idea. Aside from all the other preparations and ensuring the timing of everything, the last thing you need to worry about is the food.
The easiest way to find locations which cater is to flip through the yellow pages. More restaurants than you would think cater events. The price you choose to pay for the catering service depends on what you’re looking for. Some places will come serve the food and help clean up afterward and others will provide the food. Other places may require a person to pick-up the food at the restaurant.
Every catering restaurant will be more than happy to discuss any information and questions you may have. This is usually because you will have a large order and they want your business. The important information you need to receive is how much each plate will cost, how much food will be provided per plate, and whether or not there is a minimum amount to order.
The type of food doesn’t necessarily matter for the most part. There are a few things to keep in mind though:
- Make sure there are 2 – 3 different types of food in case some people don’t like one type or may be allergic to it
- Don’t forget about the children. Children are good with finger foods and don’t usually eat as much as an adult so one ‘plate’ may be able to feed 2 – 3 children depending on their age.
- Don’t run out of food. However many people you have planned to attend, add at least 5 to this number.
Cakes
It wouldn’t be a wedding without a wedding cake. Everybody loves a wedding cake, the bigger the better. On the flip side, wedding cakes can be expensive and need to be ordered weeks if not months in advance. Doing your research can save you hundreds of dollars.
Just as with your wedding food, it’s important to research the wedding cake: How many tiers, filling, the type of frosting used, time constraints, flowers, wedding toppings (if you don’t provide your own), etc. Select at least 10 places regarding your wedding cake. Make sure to shop around to see who has the best deal on cakes. Cheaper prices do not always mean you will receive the same quality of cake as one that costs more though.
The more layers a cake has the more the cake will cost. Talk in depth with the salesperson of each location. They should have books with pictures of their work for you to look through and the salesperson will be able to discuss prices, make suggestions, and work with you in finding the cake you are looking for within your budget. Before making your selection on which cake you want and/or bakery, always ask for a sample of the cake.
For a nominal price, or sometimes for free, the bakery should have samples to provide you. One of the worst things that can ruin a wedding is to have a bad wedding cake. The wedding cake should be enjoyed by everybody attending and there should be enough cake for everyone. This is more important than having enough food for everyone.
Wedding on a Budget
By following some or all of the suggestions provided, you will find that having a beautiful wedding to remember can be reasonable in price and easy to put together. Keep in mind that the location you choose, your decorations, the food, and the wedding cake are some of the areas where most of your money will be spent. Be creative, consider trying something different, and do your research.
Jefferson Hightower - I have written freelance articles on business, personal finance, cooking, parenting, and much more. I've written blogs for various ...
