How to get the most bang for your buck:planning a fabulous wedding on a budget

How to get the most bang for your buck: planning a fabulous wedding on a budget.

1.) Maximize your florals. All ceremony flowers should be used again at the reception: bride’s and bridesmaid’s bouquets go on the cake table under or around the plateau. The toss bouquet doubles as an accent for your guest book table (put it in a vase of water.) Any altar arrangements add a beautiful touch to the buffet.

2.) Use what you’ve got. If you decide to do monogrammed napkins as favors place them in the center of each place setting at the reception. This will add color and fill the table so that it doesn’t appear empty or bare.

3.) Pre-set your ceremony programs. Before your guests arrive put the programs in their chairs, or hang them on the side. This gives the ceremony a little flair and extra color. 

4.) Fake the cake, at least part of it. Ask your baker about a faux tier for the base. This will give it height and width. Not all of your guests will eat cake and this is a great way to have a stunning cake and not have tons of it left over.           

5.) Save the trees. Ditch the inner envelope and condense your inserts. This will minimize your stationary costs and your postage.

6.) Get the feel of flowers without having floral arrangements for centerpieces. Submerging a single flower (weighted with a washer) in a glass bowl is a great way to do this. Another is to accent a glass enclosed pillar candle with flower petals. Both options look great and are inexpensive.

7.) Leave your guests comfortably full; serve your guests enough food without going over board. If you’re hosting a cocktail hour complete with hors d’oeuvres before dinner, and having wedding cake afterward, a light buffet is usually enough for all appetites. Seated served dinners aren’t necessary unless it’s an ultra-formal affair.

8.) Know your venue. If your venue has an in-house caterer be sure to ask for copies of menus before you sign the contract. The cost of food and drink per person will greatly affect the overall cost of your reception. It is important to get a good idea of the total reception F&B costs before booking your venue.

9.) Toast with a drink in hand. Most venues charge for your champagne toast. Opt for a drink in-hand toast. You usually have the option of purchasing one bottle for the bride, groom and those making the toasts.

10.)Have your DJ pull double duty. Most Disc Jockeys offer the option of providing ceremony music. This is usually much less expensive than hiring live musicians; the cost to add this service (if you have already booked them for your reception) is usually minimal.