Wedding Planning Tips

Ok, so I've been trying not to post about wedding stuffs so the big day will remain a surprise to my guests who also read my blog.  But...I'm an impatient person and I can't wait any longer...sad because there are only 43 days left!

Here are my most basic tips on keep your costs down and still have a beautiful wedding.

1.  Cut the guest list.
Ever wonder why this is on EVERY list about wedding budgets?  It's because it's the best tip out there...it really is!  Our original guest list was around 200 people...as you can imagine, that gets pricey.  We widdled it down to 75 and it was a lot easier than we thought.  We cut out friends we hadn't seen within the last year and we cut out the extended family that we rarely see or talk to...no 2nd cousins and the like unless we're close to them.
If someone approaches you about why they weren't invited, simply explain that you are working within a budget and you had to make tough choices about the guest list and chose to keep it to family and close friends only.

2.  Cut down on your decorations.
Flowers and linens and lighting all cost big bucks.  In order to cut our costs here, we opted for a venue that provided it's own beauty.  The only decor we're purchasing are the floral arrangements for the tables and the backdrop for the ceremony.  Realistically, it's better to invest in a nice venue than a bunch of decorations that you'll have to try to get rid of later.

3.  Cut back your bridal party.
I know, I know, you have 12 sorority sisters and they're all your besties, but the reality is, the more attendants you have, the more it's going to cost you.  Yes, they pay for their own dresses and such, but you have to give them each a gift and you have to feed them both at the wedding and at the rehearsal dinner...and their dates (traditionally).

4.  Food!
I've been to many weddings in my life and let me tell you, the food is always what I remember the most.  I went to a wedding where we had a lovely plated meal with steak and the like...it sucked.  There was another wedding I went to where they chose to go with their country wedding theme and roasted a whole pig and had homemade salsas and it was de-lic-ious!  Don't assume that because it's fancy that it tastes good or that because it's expensive that it's better.  Do the tasting.  Be honest with yourself about what you think people will eat.  If the caterer is too pricey, try asking for a lower price.  Sometimes, they're willing to give you a deal in order to keep your business.

5. Pay cash as much as possible.
I found that vendors were more willing to give me a discount when I offered to pay cash up front.  It guarantees that you're not going to stiff them or be late with payments.  Also, cash vs. credit saves them a percentage...credit cards charge businesses to use them.  A word of caution on this...be absolutely certain that's the vendor you want before paying because a lot of them won't refund your cash.  Make sure to get a very specific contract before handing over any money.

6. Don't waste your money on paper.
I know those fancy pants invitations and cutesy save the dates are very, very tempting.  But you and your parents are probably the ONLY people who will ever think twice about them.  Most people will throw them in the trash right after the wedding.  Same goes for programs.  There are tons of great DIY kits out there and the friendly folks at your local Office Depot are more than happy to help you print everything out juuuust right.

7.  Take a deep breath and remember the most important thing.
This is your wedding.  At the end of the day, as long as you two are married, it was a perfect day.  Don't let the details stress you out because 50 years from now, you'll probably forget the pattern of the linens and the cute little escort card details...you'll remember the way you looked at each other when you said, "I do."