We all know that weddings cost a lot of money. The best advice we offer brides and grooms on budgets and reception costs is “Spend where you need to, save where you can.” The reception tends to be the biggest ticket item of the entire wedding budget, and major savings on your reception costs can be realized through some minor adjustments.
There are many wonderful and practical ways to manage your reception costs and save money without crushing your wedding dreams and vision. When done in the right places, these money saving ideas will take nothing away from the wedding you are dreaming of.
We can help you plan a memorable event while staying within your wedding budget. Here are some tried and true money saving ideas to help keep your wedding reception costs in check.
9 Tips to Help Manage Your Reception Costs
1. Find a location that requires very little decoration. If you do want to add a little something extra to the décor, create one large decorative element. Not only is it dramatic, but it’s also more budget friendly than a dozen or so smaller elements scattered about the room.
2. When planning your décor, always imagine the way your guests will be looking at it. What do they typically look at/see? Three main things – 1) The tablescape in front of them, 2) where the bride/groom are sitting, and 3) the cake table. Don’t spend money on décor items that won’t enhance the overall effect. Except for the head/sweetheart table and cake table, which are seen from the front, don’t worry about decorating the skirting of any other tables. For the rest, think tabletop and up!
3. People tend to take less food if it is passed by the wait staff than if it is placed on a buffet table. The good news is that less food can be ordered, but your guests will still feel pampered.
4. If you are having a sit down dinner, instead of ordering one high end entrée consider half portions of two main entrée items. For example ordering half portions each of prime rib and chicken breast, you may be able to bring down the cost per plate while still offering guests a wonderful selection.
5. When you make adjustments to the guest list, make cuts in groups. For instance, if you are planning round tables that seat 8 or 10 guests, cut by that number or multiples of that number.
6. For your cocktail hour, serve four appetizer options instead of ten.
7. Have your photographer stop at a specific time. Tell him when the formalities are done and the party is underway rather than expect him to stay till the last guest turns out the light.
8. Make choices based on your personal style. If a more relaxed get-together is more your thing, choose a cocktail party reception rather than hosting a sit down dinner.
9. Consider earning extra cash to assist in paying for the wedding. Maybe get a part time job, or sell some items on eBay or Craig’s List. Don’t use plastic unless you can comfortably pay off the balance each month. That way you’ll avoid any interest charges.
Do you have any other money saving ideas and ways to manage reception costs that you’d add to this list? Let me know what they are in the comments below!
Photo Credit: frankieleon (CC BY 2.0)
Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean
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Looking for unique wedding ideas that won’t break the bank? Weddings From The Heart can help. Contact me today at [email protected] or at 937-581-3647!
