By Bridget Mora
Planning a wedding on a budget can be a big challenge, but it is well worth the effort. To keep you on track and under budget, you will need some guidance along the way. These are some of the best resources for budget brides.
Start by picking up a wedding etiquette and planning book that is geared towards low-cost weddings. One of the most popular ones is "Bridal Bargains, 9th edition: Secrets to Throwing a Fantastic Wedding on a Realistic Budget". Another useful tool is a wedding budget spreadsheet or expense tracker. There are basic free ones available online, or you can design something more detailed that is tailored to your wedding. Because it is not good enough to know how to save money; you need to keep a tally of your spending as well to stay in budget.
The internet is a fantastic resource for brides. You can find articles with tips on saving money on everything from your wedding centerpieces to your bridal gown to the food and music. It is also a great place to do price comparisons and to find excellent prices on many of your wedding details. For instance, you may well find that bridesmaid jewelry can be purchased online for a much lower cost than at the bridal shop where you got your dresses. If you prefer to do your shopping locally, the internet can still be a great resource to help you get a sense of what would be a reasonable price to pay for your bridesmaid jewelry, wedding album, favors, and the like. People who research their purchases beforehand will tend to get the most value for their money.
A wedding planner can be another helpful resource for a bride on a budget. This may surprise you to hear, as most people assume that planners are hired only for lavish weddings. However, there are planners that specialize in helping to create elegance on a budget, and one of those coordinators can be an excellent tool in helping you find the best prices without sacrificing style. Wedding planners sometimes also have the power to negotiate lower costs with vendors with whom they regularly work, and they can help an undisciplined bride and groom stay on budget. They may not be necessary for every couple, but in some cases, having a wedding planner can make all the difference.
In larger metropolitan areas, you will have all sorts of incredible money saving resources at your fingertips, if you only know where to look. Local wedding chat boards can be very helpful in locating the services and goods that you need for your wedding. You can get the scoop on upcoming sample sales, flower wholesale markets that are open to the public, even find out about music colleges from which you could hire a great trio for your cocktail hour. Brides are very happy to share what they know with their fellow brides.
Finally, remember that the best resource you will have for planning a budget wedding is your own ingenuity and creativity. If you are a creative person, make your own favors or invitations. Search for decorative items for your reception in thrift shops and swap meets. Find clever uses for everyday objects. These are the details that will not only help you to design a beautiful wedding on a budget, but that will also make your wedding a one-of-a-kind dream day.
Bridget Mora writes for Silverland Jewelry about weddings, style, and society. Thank your friends for being in your wedding with beautiful bridesmaid gifts.
Source:www.isnare.com |
