Getting hitched on a budget is not cheap. It's actually a practical way of getting there and you shouldn’t be embarrassed about being cost-conscious. Even Carmen Elektra, with all the pomp in her own affair, voiced her concerns about too much cost during her pre-wedding prep.
While relatively speaking, most regular couple's budget concerns may seem a pittance compared to Elektra's (her wedding gown alone reputedly cost $10,000), it is still well worth your effort to put some thought into your own wedding preparations. Here's how:
Everything's in the plan.
You can't hope to build a budget if you haven’t got a plan. Start your wedding plans as early as possible. Use a separate notebook to record everything from your schedules, motif, florists, churches, wedding receptions, list of invitees, your mom's clothes, everything. If you can foresee your needs versus your wants, you can trim down your budget significantly.
Limit your invitees
Do you really have to invite Aunt Sally's best friend's cousin who helped you with your third grade art class assignment or every member of your dad's golf club who knows your name? Keep your budget down by focusing on a more intimate, exclusive affair. For everyone else, just host a simple pre- or post-wedding get-together. This way, you get to share with them your happiness without incurring too much cost.
Rent, make or borrow
That includes shoes, jewelry, even utensils and toasting glasses. Ask your relatives, friends and close colleagues for help. Have your flowers, wedding invites and favors made by volunteers and save on cost.
Professional florists cost more, so why not tap your small flower arrangement class around the corner and have them make your bouquets for you?
Budget date
Consider getting married on a Friday than on a weekend. Restaurants and bars charge cheaper on weekdays than on Saturdays or Sundays.
Wedding gowns and dresses
Wedding gowns can cost a lot, regardless, but you can shave off dollars by a little creativity. Shop for dresses from consignment shops, popular catalogs, newspaper and internet ads. Or, begin a family tradition by using your mother's gown (if it fits) or maybe even your grandmother's beautiful lace dress. Vintage can look very becoming for a wedding. If you want an updated look, go to a trusted seamstress and have it trimmed or embellished.
If you want celebrity wedding gowns on the cheap, check out sites like WeddingChannel.com. You'll find imitation dresses that look exactly the same as the ones worn by your favorite celebrity but at a much affordable price. A $10,000 celebrity wedding dress can be had for $500 to $800.
Reception
The most expensive part of your wedding is the reception, so this is the part where you'll need the most help. If you want to have the best budget choice, start your search ahead of time. Look beyond the price when shopping for the right location. Some reception halls may cost more but might have better facilities and extras, so be sure to compare well.
If you're hosting a wedding reception in your home or in a location that doesn’t serve food, you will have to hire a caterer. You can maintain your budget by asking a relative or friend who is qualified to prepare the food. You save more by just spending for the raw materials. Ask for his/her service as a wedding gift instead.
Choose buffet or plate meals or to bring your budget down even further, get married earlier for a breakfast reception. A mid-morning or afternoon reception will mean less food expense, allowing you to serve just hors d' oeuvres, cake or non-alcoholic drinks. You can just add wine or beer later on. To save even more, buy liquor by the bulk or stock up on sale items weeks before the wedding.
Instead of hiring a DJ, record your music in one CD and assign someone to play it at a given time. And when it comes to transportation, rent cars only for the bride, groom and the main entourage like the best man or maid of honor. The rest of the bridal party will usually bring their own cars or ride with their parents, spouses or significant other.
Planning a wedding on a budget need not be a scary, cheapo affair. On the contrary, it can be as classy and as memorable as any expensive wedding. By putting in much creativity and thought into the process, you not only save money, you can even be confident and satisfied enough to know that you are starting a new life on the right foot, debt-free.
Her wedding day is the bride’s special day. All eyes must be on her. If you saw “Monster-In-Law” there was this scene with Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda arguing about their gowns. Jane Fonda donned this flattering white dress, clearly to upstage the bride-to-be Lopez. Lopez was furious.
Beyond the dress, brides also ponder about their hairstyle and their make-up. You may be wearing the best designer gown that you can afford, but if you look like you put a stray cat on your head or had just rolled out of your bed, this will be the talk of your wedding, and not your dress.
For brides who have a background on how they look best, they can actually do the task themselves. If you are one of them, all you need are the right make-up products. Your wedding is worth buying new make-up for. Go for the brand your budget can afford.
Here are a couple of wedding make-up styles you can opt for:
1. Contemporary Wedding Make-Up
The soft sparkles of mixed colors such as plum and pink will give you a natural and chic glow.
2. Hollywood Starlet Wedding Make-Up
This make-up entails smoky eyes, full lips and bare blush. The emphasis of this style of wedding make-up is on the eyes and the lips.
3. Classically Feminine Wedding Make-Up
By blending neutral tones set against your skin tone, this traditional make-up look will play up your feminine features.
4. Spanish Flair Wedding Make-Up
Similar to the Hollywood Starlet Wedding Make-Up because of the smoky look and full red lips, you’re sure to have eyes on you. It will also give the impression that you will be dancing tango or flamenco after the ceremony.
5. Vintage Romance Wedding Make-Up
The usual colors are cream and peaches. This is perfect for fair-skinned brides because it accentuates their skin tone, giving them a warm effect.
6. Glamour Goddess Wedding Make-Up
With full eyes and full pouting lips like that of Angelina Jolie’s, go all out on your glamorous day. You’re not only a bride, you’re a goddess.
7. Retro Regal Wedding Make-Up
Mostly inspired by Audrey Hepburn, this make-up gives off the regal effect. You’re a bride-and-princess on your special day.
8. Garden Party Wedding Make-Up
Inspired by British garden weddings, your make-up with shades of plum and rose will turn you into a flower in no time.
There are others who prefer hiring professional wedding make-up artists. Some may be expensive than most but you can see the difference.
With their extensive experience and high-quality staff, professional make-up artists can not only fix your make-up, they will also be responsible for your hair. Plus, they bring with them hair accessories once the situation requires it. By creating the style that you dream of since you were a little girl, professional make-up artists will be your fairy godmother.
After hiring a professional make-up artist, you must schedule an appointment with them. This is to give the make-up artist appropriate time to ponder on the most suitable look for you. She will suggest the style that works best with your skin tone. She will also think of the right hairstyle.
Another good thing about having a professional make-up artist on your side is not only will she take care of your make-up, she also knows the right brush, comb and headpiece. You will totally be in good hands.
Every bride would love to look her best. She will also feel her best, thanks to the professional make-up artist and her staff. You, as the bride, can just relax by taking a seat and having fun as they do all the work for you.
If you have suggestions or you perused through a particular look that you fancy as you flip through bridal magazines, do not hesitate to come forward and show this to your professional make-up artist. Of course, you have a say on how you will look like. The make-up artist is there to also provide as second opinion, thanks to her expertise.
Now that you have another wedding aspect planned, you can take a deep breathe and remove the crossing of your fingers. You know for sure that everyone’s attention will be on you the very minute you make your way to the altar.
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