Many problematic situations can arise when planning your wedding. There are so many things the bride and grooms family has to keep in mind. Weddings are a huge occasion and to have everything go by smoothly is just what you wish for. Preparing yourself for the worst would also be a good idea. Why worry and stress yourself so much. Read on below, to know some of the important tips when planning your wedding. Surely you would not want to spend it on some of the most unnecessary items at your wedding. It is better than having made blunders and then getting depressed over it.
1. Venue
Whether you plan to have your wedding outdoors or indoors, be wary of the financial worthiness of every venue you consider. If you organise your wedding outdoors, hidden costs may hit you in the form of various permits and rents. Permits, especially for open-air events, are compulsory. Ensure that everything from fire to the city regulations is held on to. Squally weather and rains may be one of your uninvited guests. To be on the safe side, you rent tents in advance and pay for them including their air-conditioning, heating, tableware et cetera.
For indoor venues, find out the ‘all inclusive’ rate when you ask for the price per person. Also, demand a breakup of the fee charged and ensure that service charges and taxes are included in it. In your contract, look for phrases like ‘plus set-up and delivery costs’ or ‘additional costs may be incurred’. Find out what these costs pertain to and by how much they’ll inflate the quote mentioned to you.
Another factor that can affect your budget is the time of the year at which the wedding is held. You can save a significant sum of money by getting married during an off-wedding season. Also, reception halls charge higher fees for weddings for Saturday nights as compared to a Sunday brunch or even Friday night.
2. Decor
Choose flowers that are in season and available in plenty. Opting for out of season flowers, like peonies in October, will inflate your costs since the flowers will have to be imported. Opt for larger flowers like hydrangeas which will help you fill up more space at a lower price than flowers like tulips. If you want for a lush look, using a large quantity of a single type of flower will help you stay within your budget.
Cut down costs by replacing flower vases with candles and votives on the tables. Ensure you have proper fire permits. Proper lighting completes the overall look of your decoration. You may choose to add light reflecting mirrors which are one of the most cost effective ways enhance the lighting effects.
3. Catering
The price per place for the food spread is not the only cost that matters. Make sure you are told the price that includes the rates for rentals, champagnes and wines. Catering services normally charge these additional costs separately without informing you in advance. Ask for usage of simple plates, linen and glassware. You may also choose to avoid the usual cocktail stations if you have enough food spread out.
If you wish to have a reception for cocktails, find out the expenses you will incur in setting up different kinds types of bars. Also, ask if the prices are inclusive of the bartenders’ fees.
4. Wedding Cake
Most venues offer packages that include the cost of the wedding cake. But you are likely to be charged a cake-cutting fee if your wedding cake is from a bakery outside the venue. Hence, make sure to decide on the cake after comparing the venue prices with and without the cake-cutting fee. Also, while choosing your wedding cake, remember that it is going to cost you higher as the labor work on the design increases. You can cut down on the cost by opting to decorate the cake with original flowers in place of the sugar-pasted ones.
5. Music
Entertainment costs, on the whole, will be minimized if you have your wedding on a less expensive day like Labor Day, Memorial Day or during the off-season. Usually, performing bands or DJs bring their own sound equipment. Sometimes, the venue authorities may suggest that your entertainers use the audio equipments available at the venue. What you may not be told about is the hidden additional cost of hiring their equipment. Remember that time matters a lot. Entertainers usually charge by the hour. Hence, you need to inform them about how long they are expected to play. Otherwise, you will end up paying additional costs over time.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that kindness pays. Being courteous to everyone you deal with might bag you better offers.
