TIPS: -
How to save money on your wedding reception - from 18 year's experience.
1. Focus on what is important. This is a celebration of the beginning of your life together and the committment you are making to each other. You will create a lot of stress for you and /or your family by having a wedding you cannot afford. It is just not worth it.
2. Plan a budget. How much can you spend on the ceremony, reception, food, music,venue etc.
. Some caterers will try and work with your budget but they cannot do this if they don't know what your budget is.
3. Use a licensed caterer. It is illegal for anyone to sell food without a license. A health inspector told me that she was just driving by a venue where a wedding was taking place. The
caterer was not licensed and was fined and none of the food could be served.
4. The obvious way to reduce expenses is to invite only the number of guests you can afford. This is your wedding and you just may not be able to please everyone.
5. Hire a professional d.j. and photographer, but get quotes. The d.j. can set the tone and time line for your reception and the photographer should be proud to show his/her portfolio.
6. For a small wedding, consider holding your reception at a home or club house.
7. Hotels are generally more expensive than booking a venue and hiring a caterer.
Save on the cost of beverages by purchasing your own.
8. The majority of all our events are buffet style and this is the most economical. Some caterers will pack up remaining food for you. We do if requested.
9. Ask your caterer if they include cake and champagne toast services. I think they should.
Actually you don't have to serve champagne. Guests can toast with whatever they have in their glass.
10. Do you have small children attending? You should not have to pay full price for a five year old!.
11. Skip all those 'favors'. Many are just left behind. If you really do wish to have one or two available, how about a fan for a garden wedding, an engagement photo of you both, an engraved silver box of mints or chocolates, a basket of candy bars when people leave. These are not expensive but will be used.
12. A 'Black and White' wedding is elegant and can be spiced up with one or two accent colors.
Your bridesmaids could wear black cocktail dresses - they will love you for this! And why do you have to wear a very elaborate white wedding dress - how about a short dress or a flowered dress with a wide brimmed hat for a garden wedding. You know, the men in the bridal party can look very smart in a suit and tie instead of wearing a rented tux. You really don't have to follow all the old traditions.
13. Order seasonal flowers - much less expensive. Our centerpieces are the tall, slim Eiffel Tower vases with a few long stemmed flowers and greenery. Simple, elegant, quite dramatic and practical because that is all you need.
14. Have your honeymoon first! Many couples have their ceremony on a beach for example and hold a celebration party when they return. Much less expensive and usually more fun and relaxing for all.
TRENDS:
1. Serve wedding cupcakes instead of the traditional wedding cake or serve a selection of desserts. Both options are probably less expensive. Get a quote from your baker.
2. Garden Weddings are very much in vogue now. The grounds are so pretty and it is a more casual atmosphere.
3. Going on honeymoon first. see #14.
4. Having appetizer stations instead of a traditional meal. This is not necessarily less expensive. Appetizers are quite labor intensive and usually more expensive for the caterer to prepare.
5. Bride's are becoming more inclined to do what they want rather than following tradition.
Venues:
Florida Federation Gardens has an attractive garden area for the ceremony and an indoor hall for the reception. www.ffgevents.com