|
Some of the my tips, based on both personal and professional experience:
*Buy a wedding dress from Ebay/consignment shop
* Make your own bouquets from flowers you buy at the grocery store
*If you choose to hold the reception at a commercial site (anywhere other than a private home), DO NOT tell the event planner that it's a wedding. Wedding costs are jacked up to gouge couples...You get the same food for a lower cost if you just call it a "party"
* You could hold the reception in someone's private home and have relatives cook the food. I know my relatives kick a$$ in the kitchen, so I want them cooking!
* Save your bridesmaids $$$ by not forcing to buy the SAME dress, the SAME shoes, etc. Ask them to dress nicely (well, according to the level of formality) and thank them for coming! Oh, and you don't need 50 witnesses...just those closest to you...2 or 3 at the most....
* Print the invitations from your PC. There are some great programs out there that can be installed in a snap. You can buy the stock, nice paper in bulk at a local Kinko's, etc
* Party favors can be the centerpieces...Think creatively. Maybe not everyone will get one to take home, but be honest, do you treasure the favors for life? I know I still have no idea what happened to the one I got from my cousin, but she gave us all the centerpieces, beautiful peace lilies and Birds of Paradise flowers. I still have those tied with a ribbon, hanging on my wall...
* DO NOT SKIMP ON THE PHOTOGRAPHER! This cannot be stressed enough. Don't hire cousin Skippy to take the photos because he's looking for his "big break" or cuz he wants to start his portfolio! If he wants to do it that bad, let him be the "backup" photographer (candids, etc)
* Do you REALLY need a videographer? First off, I hate when the cameraman shoves that muthafriggin' microphone in your face and says "Say something to the couple!"...Um, first, I have salad in my mouth, second, I want another roll, third, I would have written something down, fourth, some people freeze on camera while others will try to audition for "American Idol"...Skip this please. Besides, you will lose more friends by trying to invite them over to "see the wedding video" (that, c'mon let's be honest, no one besides the couple cares about) than you would if you talked about them behind their backs!
* Don't hire a makeup artist. You want to look like your natural, beautiful self on your wedding day, not like a drag queen! But, spend the money on your hair if you want a complicated do. But, the best advice I've ever heard and witnessed is to do your hair in a similar fashion to something you've done before so that you don't look unnatural or feel uncomfortable and fidgety.
* Spend money on pre-marital counseling!!! You'll be glad you did!!
* Breakfasts and weeknight weddings are usually less expensive
* You don't need 500 limos! One or two is fine...Here's where having the 2-3 bridesmaids and groomsmen comes in handy!
* Spend the money on the honeymoon!!
|