First of all, identify what is important to you. Especially if price is a concern, you have to prioritize. Is the dress the most important item for you? Is it the flowers? A specific photographer? If you have to have a particular item or vendor, you need to identify this right away.
Second, make sure whomever you hire as your wedding vendors connect with you, no matter what price you are paying. Hire someone you trust and who makes you laugh and relax, who puts you at ease. If you don't connect with your vendors, don't hire them because YOU can't be uptight on your big day.
Third, make sure the vendors you connect with are the ones who will be actually handling your event. (Have specific name(s) listed in the contract.)
Fourth, although vendors generally get booked at 9 months out, if you can wait, most vendors are more willing to negotiate closer to the wedding day. While we don't recommend waiting until the last minute, the closer you are to your wedding date, the higher your chance of being able to negotiate with the vendor.
There are a few specific places in the wedding-planning process where you can save money. Here are Wedding Solutions' favorite picks for money-saving tips:
5. Whether 9 months out or 3 months out, negotiate for a better deal: The following are just some of the ways you can work with vendors to make sure you are getting the most for your wedding dollar. Either more time, or a percentage discount or a free engagement portrait, etc.
--Percentage Discount -
example: If I hire you for the wedding and reception, can I get a 10% discount?
--Free Sitting Included with Package -
example: If I hire you to photograph the wedding and reception, would you throw in a free engagement sitting?
--Free Photo Album
example: If I hire you to shoot my wedding and reception will you include a free photo album with the package. (Be sure to get at least 20 pictures included.)
Another option is to hire a professional for 2 hours, then hire a less expensive photographer for less-important shots, or ask your friends to email you the best of the pictures they took on their digital cameras.
The point is, always ask, "How can we work together to make this happen?"
4. Choose the right day. If want to save money, Friday and Sunday mornings are the best days to get married. Even consider Sunday brunch. Saturday is the most popular day - and thus, the worst day - to get married. A Sunday brunch is a great idea and will definitely save you money, both on the location and the food and bar tab. People eat and drink less during the day than at night.
3. Refreshments: Offer only beer and wine, or have an open bar for just an hour, offer only then beer and when. Save money by serving champagne only for the toast. Place buckets filled with water bottles about the reception area. People will want a drink, and many will be happy with the water rather than taking time to go to the bar.
2. Flowers: One of the easiest ways to save money is by choosing flowers that are locally grown and in-season. Skipping the exotic options can cut costs by 1/3. Expensive and fragile blooms include stephanotis, orchids, and gardenias. A less expensive option might include Gerber daisies. They're hardy and available year round. Carnations are also very inexpensive, come in many colors, and are available year round.
Another tip for saving money is to use greenery or ivy in your trellis and bouquet. Greenery is substantially cheaper than cut flowers.
1. Attire: Dress and Tuxedo
The Tuxedo: Generally, the groom's tux is free if groom's men rent tux from store. Always ask for a free tux.
The Dress:
-If you're planning far enough out from wedding, pick stores you like with great selections and call to find out when their sales are.
- Ask for free veil if buy a gown.
-If the dress isn't the most important part to you, you can rent an inexpensive gown, or you might get a secondhand dress. Secondhand stores or eBay have a big selection. Have the dress tailored to fit your body.
-J. Crew is another great option; they offer a new line of wedding and bridesmaids gowns, many under $300. Another inexpensive option you might not have considered - Target.com has a line of wedding dresses, all about $100.
A final thought on flowers: It will cost much, much more to get your dress tailored at a bridal store. Find a small tailor and save big bucks.
Lastly, while it's not thought of as money-saving technique, hiring a good wedding planner can save you money. Wedding planners have special relationships with vendors and can get you great deals. Planner can also save you stress, put on fires on your wedding day, and generally give you peace of mind. You can hire them for a day, for 10 hours, or for the whole event. They can negotiate contracts, keep you on task, and help you know what to ask when speaking to vendors.
And finally, two places not to try and save money in wedding planning: your photographer, and your DJ or band. When it comes to photos, never ask a friend or hire an amateur. People seldom remember what flowers are at the wedding, but the pictures last forever. You want to hire a professional who will do a great job. And the DJ or band is what keeps the party lively after the reception. Guests will remember dancing and having a great time. Never skimp on the musical entertainment.
Happy wedding planning from Wedding Solutions!
By Alex A. Lluch, author of over three million books sold and President of
Weddingsolutions.com,
WedReviews.com, and
UltimateGiftRegistry.com.
Find the largest selection of Wedding Invitations at www.WeddingSolutions.com WeddingSolutions.com also features a huge selection of Wedding Gifts and Favors. Create a gift registry for any occasion at www.UltimateGiftRegistry.com