Dita, Janda Kembang Medan

There's no doubt about it, weddings can be expensive. The average cost of a wedding today is $20,000 - $25,000, and weddings are estimated to be a $25.3 billion industry. But don't worry if your budget cannot stretch for the most expensive custom-made gown, elegant invitation cards, or the top photographer, it doesn't mean that your wedding will be any less unique or special than anyone else's.

You just need a bit of guidance and a few tips to help you achieve the dream of your big day. Here are a few suggestions with tips on how to save on some of the more expensive aspects of a wedding.

Wedding Gowns

Do you really need a hand-made wedding dress with beads and diamantes? This is where the big cost is and there are several options in cutting the cost. Why not opt for a second-hand wedding dress? It's probably only been worn once anyway and you can get a once expensive dress for half the price. Consider buying an evening gown/cocktail dress from a department store or look into renting your wedding dress for the day.

The Reception

This is where the cost of a wedding can get out of hand. The wedding reception is normally the biggest expense, but one of the easiest to cut down on costs. Statistics show that an average of 189 guests attend a wedding, this is a lot. Try and keep your guest list to a minimum, do you really need to invite family members who you have never seen for years? Instead of a three-course meal why not opt for a hot and cold buffet (even cater for yourself)? Instead of holding the reception in an expensive hotel suite or wedding reception, why not consider having it at someone's home or a club, or even book a restaurant. Keep an open bar to a minimal and only serve beer, wine and soft drinks.

Photography

The obvious choice is to shop around for the best rates, but consider hiring a photographer for the ceremony only and ask a family member or friend to take snap photos of the reception. Or you could go one step further and ask them to take the photographs for the whole day and not bother with the expense of a photographer at all.

Invitations / Stationery

If you're on a budget and looking for cheaper wedding stationery items, then you might like to consider print-at-home stationery. There are many online stationer's that will offer this service free of charge. You pay for the paper and envelopes, then use their software to print directly from your own PC. With sophisticated customization tools you'll be able to enter your own text and preview it before you print so as not to make any costly mistakes. Alternatively, you can buy software and do-it-yourself from your PC.

Miscellaneous

Flowers can be another great expense, but also an unnecessary one. Why not buy wholesale flowers, or pick flowers from your garden (or a friends or relatives). Buy plain gold or white gold wedding bands as these are the cheapest. Get a friend to make your wedding cake for you and opt for a smaller tier cake and it doesn't have to be a fruit cake - try a sponge, chocolate or carrot cake! Make your favors and center-peices yourself. Accessories for these can be found at little outlet stores or online. Lastly, instead of a limousine why not rent a car or borrow a luxury car from a friend or relative?



Summary

Weddings are expensive if you want them to be. But if you want to keep money aside for a deposit on a house or a honeymoon to remember, then there are many cost cutting ideas. All you need is a little imagination, and some help from friends and family and you too can have a luxury wedding with all the trimmings

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/16735

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Mirna, Janda Cantik Kaya Raya

Between the dress, flowers, booking the venue, and music, weddings are already expensive. Add to that the price of having to feed a large group of people and the cost gets even higher. Before you start budgeting your retirement money to pay for a wedding now, don't worry! There are several things you can do to lower the price of food and drink at your reception.

Food

There are options your guests will love that won't break your bank. When reflecting back on the event guests won't be talking about what was served, rather they'll remember how great it tasted.

* Having a buffet is a great way to lower the cost. You won't have to pay per person and your guests will be able to choose what they want to eat. Also, because you won't have a set menu, you will have the opportunity to incorporate some of your favorite dishes into the buffet. Foods like vegetable trays, sandwich trays, and cold cuts are all inexpensive options.
* Serving comfort foods at your reception is another fun way to lower the cost. Foods like barbecue, mashed potatoes, and macaroni-n-cheese are all relatively cost-efficient and can liven up the party. This tip works best if you are having a summer wedding or hosting a wedding in the South.
* If you want a creative idea, try serving appetizers only. Guests can fill up on these little finger foods and they have the ability to eat and dance at the same time.

Drinks

Food isn't the only part of the meal that is important to a reception. Drinks serve several purposes at a party; from making the toast to washing down your meal. There are ways to trim some of your expenses here too.

* Instead of having an open bar, opt for beer and wine instead. Many guests will enjoy one or the other and not even notice they don't have the liquor option.
* Who says you need champagne to have a toast? If you skip the champagne and let the guests toast with whatever is in their glasses, you can save a good bit of money. It isn't what they're drinking that's important, it's that they all came out to celebrate with you.
* Developing a signature cocktail is a creative way to express yourself and cut costs. With signature drinks you can limit the alcohol used to more cost-efficient options.

Cake

The cake is often seen as the heart and soul of the party, but there are ways to limit the expenses paid on this decadent dessert.

* Instead of having a cake, have a tower of cupcakes. They can be decorated as beautifully as a traditional cake, but they are ready right away for serving. Each guest receives the same portion size and it's an overall fun way to serve dessert.
* Get your cake at a local grocery store instead of a wedding cake boutique. They often taste just as good, but can cost several hundred dollars instead of several thousand.
* You can have a smaller cake with mostly fake layers and then behind the scenes, cut up a sheet cake to serve to your guests. It will taste delicious, but won't have the same cost associated with it as a grand scale, tiered wedding cake.



Whether you are a wedding planner or planning your own wedding, there is no reason to scrimp on elegance to stay within a budget. The most important thing your guests take home from the wedding isn't leftovers: it's memories.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6551367

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