How to Plan a Wedding on a Budget

Brainstorming how to plan your dream wedding on a budget can be fun.
Utilize these insider tips to create a high-end event on a shoestring budget;

Venue Selection
Look for venues that are owned by the State and/or Parks Department. These are often thousands of dollars less than privately owned venues.
Try to stay away from venues with food and beverage minimums. One of the most expensive components of a wedding, this is also one of the easiest areas in which creative brainstorming can save you money.

Flowers
Work with a Floral Designer rather than a Florist. Utilize flowers that will be in-season during your wedding. Also, plan to use ceremony decorations again at the reception site.

Beverages
It is typically more cost effective to bring in your own wine and pay a corkage fee than to purchase wine through your venue.
Pete’s Wine Shop in Bellevue has the best prices in the Northwest. They offer additional discounts to weddings, for buying in bulk and can order in almost any type of wine for your event. For more information, visit http://www.peteswineshop.com/

Limit the variety of drink options available to guests. Having fewer items to ‘try’ will decrease overall consumption. A classy way to do this is to offer only sparkling wine during the reception. Another fun option is to offer only a signature drink during the cocktail hour. If possible, try to wait until after dinner to have an Open Bar.

Bartenders will be logging the number of drinks consumed throughout your event. To guarantee you stay on budget, authorize them to serve drinks until you’ve reached your budgeted amount. After that time, they can close the bar, switch to a No-Host Bar (where guests pay for their own drinks) or check with you to see if you want the bar to remain open longer.

Hors d’oeuvres
Cocktail hours often double the price of the reception. To decrease the quantity of hors d’oeuvres consumed, limit variety. Instead of having 5-8 options, select 3. Guests will typically sample one of each and then stop eating. Another option is to have a wine and cheese cocktail hour. Realistically, guests may have a bite of cheese but wont plan on filling up.

Dinner Menu
If you are planning a plated meal, condense the number of courses served. A summer wedding can offer an Entrée Salad which successfully combines the first and second courses. Guests typically eat less when there is warm weather anyway.
Pasta is typically one of the most cost-effective entrée selections.

Cake
If your venue charges a cake cutting fee, ask if they’ll waive it if you purchase the wedding cake through their in-house Caterer.

Challenge yourself to dream big and then research ways to create the look you want on a small budget. Receive personalized advice by calling the Free Bridal Hotline at 415-458-4411.

Warning Signs: How to Protect Your Wedding During the Recession

With the recession still in full-force and experts speculating that it may get worse before it gets better, many of the vendors you consider hiring may be out of business before your wedding day.

The following guidelines will help to safeguard your event;

Always Require a Contract
While having a contract with a wedding vendor won’t guarantee that they will still in business by the time your wedding occurs, it will help you to retrieve any deposits paid. Be sure the contract clearly outlines the cancellation policy. If the deposit is noted as non-refundable, you won’t get your money back even if the vendor goes out of business.

Watch out for ‘Sales’
If a venue or vendor asks you to pay in full upfront, they could be struggling to stay in business.
When businesses are on shaky financial ground, they may begin offering discounts. While sounding like a bargain, there is often little recourse should the venue go out of business before your wedding day. Instead, wait as long as possible before paying for services.
Also, if the price seems too low for what you’re getting, the vendor may be trying to close the sale but will then have difficulty fulfilling their obligation.

Are They Advertising
Ironically, when businesses run into financial trouble, one of the first things they cut out is advertising. Financially strong businesses are taking advantage of the discounts available and are marketing more, not less.

Are they Organized
If your Contact seems unorganized and scattered, most likely the company’s finances are too. The businesses that will be stable enough to ride out the recession are the ones that are very organized and keep an eye on their books.

Consider Event Insurance
With so many businesses fighting for survival, Event Insurance is a must-have and can often be purchased for under $200. For more information, visit http://www.wedsafe.com/wedding-insurance/index.jsp and http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-problems/articles/wedding-insurance-101.aspx?MsdVisit=1

Hire a Wedding Coordinator
An event professional will often hear industry gossip long before it becomes known by the public. They will be better able to guide you to quality vendors that are more financially stable.
Also, in the event that a vendor is unable to perform a service, they will be able to assist you in swiftly finding a reputable alternative.

Planning a wedding is an exciting and fun time. Ensure your wedding remains seamless by being aware of the recession and making smart, well researched decisions.