More Budget Bride Tips

The engagement cards are just rolling in and already you have a stack of payments due for your wedding. Hosting a fabulous wedding is only as expensive as you make it, so don’t let the day of your dreams turn into years of debt. There are many ways to save money on your wedding, and with some creativity and a few good friends along the way, you can save thousands and have an amazing celebration.
 

Selecting the Right Venue

First, select a venue that will give you a great package deal. Many hotels will roll multi-course meals and open bar into a per person price and generally do not charge a fee for the ballroom.

You can also try and negotiate a discounted room block, free honeymoon nights within the hotel chain, a free wedding cake or a complimentary stay for the newlyweds. The right hotel package can be less money than working with several different caterers and the price point can be customized to suit your budget.

Wedding Photos

 While exceptional photos are an essential part of any wedding, they are also one of the easiest places to save money. If you have a wedding guest who is a skilled photographer, find out if they will shoot the formal photos and the ceremony and let the other guests take the rest. There are machines you can rent and place at your reception that allow guests to easily upload the photos they took at your wedding. Once you send the machine back, the company will send you a file of all of the photos for you to print. Or, get the guest photos yourself using a laptop, a good friend to man the download station and a card reader. Set this up towards the end of the evening in a spot where people will be exiting.

 

Music: Band, DJ, or DIY?

You’ll save money and eliminate potentially bad song requests by having an “Mp3 wedding.” If your venue is equipped with a microphone and speakers, ask a reliable and tech-savvy friend to announce the wedding party and set up the first dance song. After that, fire up the playlist on your Mp3 player and dance the night away. Make sure you test out the sound system in advance to ensure it is to the caliber you want and create a playlist that mixes fast and slow songs. While this is a great money-saver, put enough preparation into it in advance so it doesn’t need to be monitored throughout the night.

 
Centerpieces

Curly willows and Manzanita branches work beautifully as centerpieces. Not only are they much less expensive than flowers, but they can be assembled months in advance. Whether you choose to alternate them with flowers or display them alone, these tall branches have a mystical element to them and add height to any room. If you are looking for a formal appearance, spray paint the branches a metallic color and hang tiny crystals off them with clear wire. Or, leave them natural and have your florist add a few fresh flowers to each centerpiece. The branches can be purchased at craft stores, so buy a few samples ahead of time and play around with different paint and vases.

 You just can't get good help...or can you?

Great friends and family willing to lend a hand at your wedding can help your budget in a big way. But, how do you invite them to your wedding and put them to work? First off, don’t expect anyone to help you out for the entire duration of the wedding. That’s rude. For example, have a friend film the ceremony and then set the camera up on a tripod or have others take turns recording the rest of the night. While it is fine to ask for a favor from someone, you don’t want it to seem like that was only reason you invited them. These are your guests, so if you ask for a favor ahead of time and the person says no, be gracious and move on. Someone else will give you and hand, and if not, maybe you should take a hard look at the job you are delegating. Finally, be thankful and give your wedding helpers a small gift, a note, or even an invite to the rehearsal dinner to let them know how appreciated they are.

 
Once you have your budget set, look at areas where you can compromise. The engagement period can be a blast for the couple who gets creative with money-saving projects. Putting thought and hard work into every element of your wedding will give you a huge amount of pride and hopefully a minimal amount of bills on your big day. 

Also see:

Budget Brides - Tips for a Cheap Wedding

This guest posting courtesy of Hatch My House. "Hatch My House (HMH)" is a an interactive house registry. A registry where anyone can sign up, design a house and start saving towards a down payment, home improvements or even furniture."