A1. Even on a small budget,
the wedding means just as much and can be just as
special.
There are no 'rules' which determine that you
must have certain aspects of a wedding to make it a success.
I think the people make it special but if I were to choose things
in priority order, it would be as follows:
1. Good photographs (for the memories).
2. Brides' dress.
3. Venue (again, doesn't need to be expensive but choosing the
right place
to create the atmosphere you want is important).
4. Food (bad catering will spoil any wedding day).
5. Attention to detail. There are many things that can be put
together inexpensively but which will create a 'theme'. Try
choosing a simple colour
scheme throughout and echoing it in the flowers, ribbons, headdresses,
confetti, table fritter, candles etc. Can make a huge difference
and add that 'uniqueness' to the day.
Give yourself plenty of time (and try to coerce
other family members into helping!) and prepare much of the
detail by hand. For example, the extras you mention are often
the things that bump up the cost of a wedding but which can
be done just as well by yourself and for much less cost - table
fritter, table decorations, bridesmaid's hair decorations, favours,
invitations and stationery, church decorations (why not use
candles to
create a soft, romantic atmosphere and keep the flowers to a
minimum), floral decorations.
Good luck and very best wishes.
(Answered
by Siobhan Barron)
A2. One of the main places you
can save money is with the venue (and your associated numbers
of guests). If you find a venue that hires rooms on an hourly
rate, you can have a wedding later in the day, and so have less
room hire fees, and only pay for what you use. Also, by keeping
your guest numbers down, all your food and drink costs will
be reduced. If you find a venue that will let you serve the
wedding cake as a dessert, you can forego the expense of a traditional
dessert course, when you might already be having a cake made.
If you are really on a budget, then you might
want to think about having a disco instead of a band. A good
band (of wedding quality) can be really very
expensive, unless you happen to know someone in a band of course...
And a disco will be far cheaper, and can play a wider selection
of music styles, to suit all guests.
How about hiring a wedding dress? How about asking
the florist if they'll move your flowers from church to reception,
so you can save floristry costs?
Or how about making your own floral arrangements, and just having
bouquets / buttonholes made up?
There are lots and lots of wasy in which you can
have an excellent wedding on a smaller budget, indeed I've just
helped a client with a venue search (as the venue choice dictates
many of the cost incurring decisions), who only have £3000
to spend on everything, including dress, flowers, photos, etc!
You might be interested in an article I have contributed to
in the May issue of Moneywise magazine, which should be out
in the last week of April, which has lots of ideas in it too!
Yes, I'm bound to say it, but you might like to
consider consulting a wedding planner, as we are able to suggest
alternatives that might be more
in line with your budget priorities, and we've generally been
able to negotiate discounts for our clients too!
Very best of luck with the plans, and I hope you
have a fabulous day.
(Answered
by Emma Pirie)
A3. How refreshing
to find someone sensible who wants to have a good wedding and
party without blowing the budget!
The essential costs are:
Church fees
Venue hire
Drinks - an arrival drink, wine with the meal and maybe a glass
of sparkling
wine or champagne for toasts /speeches?
Food
Flowers - bridal bouquet/bridesmaids bouquets and buttonholes.
You may wish to have some flowers in the church or reception
but you can be imaginative and go to somewhere like IKEA and
buy lots of nice candles for table arrangements etc
Evening entertainment - band
(Answered
by Suzie Gillespie)
A4. There
are lots of ways you can save on your wedding;
Have a small intimate wedding with close family and friens only
Cut down on your guest list
Use services know to family and friends - may offer discount
Make your own favours
Single flower table decorations
One tier wedding cake
And so on...........for each aspect
Or you could hire a hall, have it decorated in your wedding
theme/style/colours, invite everyone and put on a fork buffet
and have a huge party.
What is most important to you; having everyone there or offering
a fantastic day to a selected group.
(Answered
by Mrs S)
