[funnyvalentine]

As a caterer for almost 20 years, I had to weigh in on this.



1. Go slow. Pick a non-traditional or slower time of year to get married. Think January, February, or November. Even consider a day and time other than Saturday afternoon—when most weddings take place. You can get a break on the venue and from the vendors for choosing an off-peak time.

Sometimes this works, sometimes not. Our costs are the same, no matter what time or day you get married.

2. Limit the guest list. Make your dream guest list then mark off at least 50 names. Most caterers charge per-person, so the difference between 100 guests and 150 can be huge.

Yes. Get a grip on your guestlist; invite only those who you really want to have there, and hold firm when your relatives give you their guest lists.

3. Shop around. Prices and packages are negotiable with most vendors. Don’t ever settle for more than you think you should be paying. Moreover, use vendors who aren’t primarily wedding vendors and you’ll see cheaper prices (e.g., using a grocery store florist instead of a wedding floral designer).

When you use a "non-wedding" vendor, you will get "non-wedding" experience. Most wedding vendors charge the prices they do because of the quality they provide; the marketplace is too competitive to not give your best price, wedding or not.

4. Get your hands dirty. The more you do, the less you’ll end up paying. While your bride and her girlfriends are tying ribbons on wedding favors, you can be running around town running wedding errands. Just ask your bride for a list of what you can do.

Be realistic about how busy you want to be the week before your wedding, when the #%(%* hits the fan. Being non stop crazy that week can take all the fun out of it.

5. Rent. Rent your tux—some stores will even rent tuxes for $30 a day. If you’re wearing a suit and want to buy a new one, ask department store clerks when their next suit sale is or try an outlet mall.

6. Consider “drop-off catering.” The caterer delivers and sets up already-prepared food. Or, have family friends cater the reception for you. Go with a buffet instead of a sit-down meal, or host a dessert reception, brunch, or luncheon instead of a multi-course meal.

If you have "drop off catering" you are responsible for the serving and cleanup. Be realistic about your enthusiasm for this. If you are in a hall, they will expect it to be cleaned up and perfect; you are not going to want to haul trash after your party. Keep in mind that your relatives may not have the knowledge necessary to feed a multitude of people in a safe way.

7. Get friendly. Ask friends to take photos at your bridal showers, rehearsal dinner, pre-ceremony, and reception. Hire a professional only for the formal portraits and ceremony shots if you’re concerned about the quality of a friend’s photos.

8. Skip the DJ. Hook up a CD player or iPod to the sound system and pump out the tunes. If you’re set on having live musicians, hire a local music student(s) for the ceremony and/or reception.

9. Get sponsored. If you or your bride is set on having a lavish wedding, negotiate with vendors to have wedding services provided in exchange for subtle advertising at the event (the company’s name on a card next to the items provided, a listing of sponsors in the wedding program, or even a mention during a speech at the reception.)

This is the tackiest thing I have ever heard. Go without before doing this. It is positively revolting. No one will think it's a "lavish" wedding. They'll think it's cheap and tasteless.

10. Honeymoon close to home. The two best and easiest ways to cut down on your honeymoon costs are to stay close to home (to avoid transportation costs) and to limit the amount of time you need to pay for lodging. You can choose a nicer hotel for the same amount you would spend at a less-posh place if your honeymoon is a few days shorter.

The good news for frugal brides and groom is that the trend of the millennial wedding is toward everything simple and elegant—that lends itself to savings. From ring styles to cakes and bouquets, less is more, and with the right planning, your bank account can reflect the savings.[/quote]