Wedding Budget Planner

General Tips
• Cut down numbers: Be tough on your wedding list (and on your mothers)
• Shop around: The more time you give yourself the better chance you´ll have of finding that perfect dress on sale, there is very few businesses that have no competition, so make use of this and compare.
• Set your budget first: Know how much you can spend and stick to it.
• Borrow or rent as much as you can: Renting or borrowing will save money, though you won´t be able to keep the items for memories (hey, isn´t that what photo´s are for).
• Off peak: Most wedding suppliers have discounts for less popular days, you may be able to get a cheaper rate on a Sunday compared with Saturday, try September instead of the November.
• Do it yourself: Don´t underestimate how much your own time is worth. Invitations and Bonbonnieres are two things that are time consuming but will let you express your personality and set the theme for your wedding at the same time as saving costs.
• Talk to suppliers: Let people know your budget, after all they are the experts and if they know your budget they will be happy to work within it or recommend someone else that will be able to.

Invitations
• Keep to invitation sizes and weights that will require only one stamp.
• Use your home computer and do them yourself. Make sure to allow yourself plenty of time, the stationary can take a long time to complete, around 20 minutes each set.
• Have friends help you write names on invitations and postal addresses on envelopes.
• Make use of stickers or material to decorate your stationary instead of expensive custom papers.
• If using a professional stationer, it is cheaper to have all your wedding stationery printed at the same time this includes acceptance cards, thank you stationery, menus, ceremony program covers and gift registry card.

Dress
• Rent a dress
• Borrow a friends or your mothers (be selective of whom you ask as some women see their dress as sacred).
• Give yourself plenty of time to shop around, you may come across a bargain or a sample dress that fit you well.
• Make the gown yourself (or ask your mother). This can be a fantastic option to save you money, if you are very good with a thread and needle, but you also need plenty of time on your hands.

Photography
• Have the photographer take photos of only the ceremony, place disposable cameras on guest tables and have them photograph the reception.
• Compare photographers hourly rates to packages deals.
• Check to see whether you can buy prints at a later stage, after the wedding when you have paid other wedding bills.
• Ask a friend with a video camera to videograph the ceremony and reception.

Flowers
• Use flowers that are in season, those that need to be shipped in from other areas will increase the price.
• If your ceremony is in a garden setting you may not need flowers.
• Silk flowers are a cheaper alternative and if well done can look as good as real ones.
• Consider using just one or two large flowers with some ribbon.
• The bouquets can double as the flowers used on the bridal party table.

Music
• Have the band play for a minimum amount of time such as from the first dance to the end of the night. Use one of their demo tapes for music during pre-dinners and entrees.
• Use a D.J. they are generally cheaper than bands.
• Find a reception centre that includes music and M.C. services.
• Have the band play with minimum members.
• Hire a Jukebox for music and have a friend M.C.

Transport
• Try hiring a car from a rental company such as Avis or Hertz.
• Hire only one car, use it for the bride, groom, bridesmaid and the bestman.
• Borrow a friends/relatives.

Reception Centre
• Have your wedding on a less popular day of the week such as Friday or Sunday.
• There is generally better availability and therefore pricing during winter months.
• Cut down your guest list.
• Look at the pricing per head for different amounts of guests.
• Hire a hall/public building and use an outside caterer.
• Consider a buffet style meal instead of a sit-down.
• Buy your own alcohol, check with your reception centre.
• Use the wedding cake as your dessert.
• Cut off drink one-hour early to allow people to freshen up for the drive home.

Wedding Cake
• Have a friend make it for you.
• Have only a small wedding cake and purchase another to give away to your guests.