The book The Tightwad Gazette, by Amy Dacyzyn, explains some helpful tips to cutting costs for a wedding. And hey, what a concept! Get married without spending a fortune and getting into big debt! It really can be done….Here are some of my favorite tips:
* In good weather, have a wedding reception outside at someone’s home. Having a wedding reception outside also encourages some thrifty alternatives such as paper plates and plastic ware.
* Check classified ads for women selling their wedding dresses, which have only been worn once (or perhaps not at all.) Bridal shops also will sell display or discontinued dresses for hundreds less than the original price.
* If you’re a true tightwad, look for rings at pawn shops.
* Have someone you know take your engagement photo for you. Make sure that you still get a high quality shot by showing the photographer some examples of pictures that you like. In general, wedding pictures look best when they are close up, with minimal background. Shop around for the best bargain on printing your photos. When I got married, the cheapest deal (by far) was at a warehouse store.
* Pick flowers for bouquets and corsages that are in season. If possible, look to nature for other decorations. Blossoms, ivy, or wildflowers can be found for free during certain times of the year.
* Have a smaller wedding cake supplemented with sheet cakes. The decorative cake is mainly for show, and the sheet cakes are served to the guests.
* If a budget wedding just sounds like a bad idea to you and you are planning on spending more than a few thousand dollars anyway, consider hiring a bridal consultant. As an expert in the industry, a wedding planner will be able to hunt down good deals and bargain vendors that you wouldn’t be able to. In the end, the consultant could more than end up paying for herself.