Budget Wedding Tips #2

One of the eternal questions for a wedding reception is the debate of whether or not to have an open bar. It is becoming more and more common for weddings to become cash bars, as an open bar adds significantly to the cost of an event.

The way to have an open bar without appearing closed fisted with money is to do it sensibly. With each invitation, include a free drink token and one for any guest they may bring. This is a little more expensive than a purely cash bar, but it is an ideal compromise. Also ensure that there is a free mineral water available – if necessary just by purchasing bottles of water and glass jugs, and setting them on the tables before the meal commences – so that everyone can have a drink if they are genuinely thirsty. It is also worth while doing the same with orange juice, ostensibly for any children attending – but you will find that adult guests also indulge.

Another area of great expense to any wedding day are outfits for the attendants. It is somewhat dubious to ask bridesmaids to pay for their own dresses, though it may be worth floating the idea past them with the incentive that they can choose their own style. If you really do want a uniform set of bridesmaids, however, it is unfair to expect each lady to contribute to something they only wear once. This means you will need to foot the bill.

This, however, is easily helped by the realization that you do not need to buy bridesmaid dresses from an actual wedding store. The mark up in wedding stores is big for bridesmaid dresses, as many brides automatically purchase their bridesmaid gowns from wherever they have found their own dress. You are paying for the convenience. A simple way to get around this issue is to look in high street stores for simple, flattering dresses; none of which need cost the earth. While it is unlikely you’ll find floor length gowns, shorter length dresses are more than acceptable for bridesmaids and do help create a more contemporary feel. Also, if you have a lot of attendants, it may be worth checking with the store to see if you can get a bulk discount.

Weddings are expensive, but by thinking outside of the box there is no reason why you cannot cut a quarter off your total budget. Be ready to hunt for bargains and snap up deals if you see them and just tell yourself this: at least you won’t be starting married life in mountains of debt.