Here comes the bride!!! A great wedding is the sum of a million minute details -- but isn't necessarily worth a million pesos. Let cutting costs spur your creativity and help you stay within reasonable budget.
Remember: You can have the same church-reception combo as everyone else, but it's the personal touches that will make your dream day extra-memorable and unique . Here are less costly ways to smartly march down your dream aisle.
1. DETERMINE YOUR BUDGET.
Before anything else, sit down with your spouse-to-be and figure out how much you are willing to spend. Know what your negotiables and non-negotiables are. This way, you'll feel freer to splurge on your dress or cut back on flower.
2. PERSONALIZE YOUR INVITATIONS.
Nowadays, people are getting more creative with their ideas for invites. With the right idea, all you need is a good printer, special paper and great execution. In this age of internet, you may also dare to just email all your invites or send out a DVD-ready presentation.
3. DO YOUR OWN CALIGRAPHY.
Instead of spending big bucks on having your envelopes professionally done, do it yourself or ask a friend with nice writing to do it for you.
4. MAKE USEFUL GIVEAWAYS.
Some people don't opt for giveaways, some people do. Either way, it's a good idea to make your giveaways do double duty to keep guests from throwing them away.
5. UTILIZE YOUR MODISTAS.
If you can afford to have a designer make your dream dress, so much better. However, dresses for the entourage can be entrusted to your local modista. You can consult magazines and websites for designs and make sure they're executed just as you envisioned them.
6. SCORE PICTURE-PERFECT SKIN.
Daily skin regimens such as moisturizing and applying SPF can make your skin too greasy and leave you with unwanted shine -- especially in your precious wedding photos. Rather than invest in pricey oil-absorbing powders and countless blotting sheets, switch to a cream that can double as your moisturizer and sunblock.
7. MAKE YOUR OWN MISALETTES.
When creating your misalettes, a trusty printer and photocopier are all you need. You can type it out yourself, arrange it page by page, then reproduce it. Details like adding a tassle or having the cover page gold-stamped with your initials will make it look original and elegant.
8. STOCK UP ON GOOD SOUNDS.
Let a music-loving friend (one with similar taste to you & your husband's) play deejay with your iPod. Identify a song for the bridal march and make playlists during the photo-taking and even for your reception. Make sure you have enough tracks to last the entire night.
9. PUT YOUR FRIEND'S TALENTS TO GOOD USE.
Instead of hiring a choral group, ask singer friends to come together and perform as a choir. You can even ask just one person to render your chosen songs. Point is, don't be afraid to ask favors from friends. After all, this is your big day. And if they're really your friends, they'll be more than willing to lend you a hand.
10. TRUST AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS.
Ask friends to do the clicking -- better if they're photography hobbyists. You can assign each person their "beat" (ex. one can focus on the bride's family, another on the groom's, and so on) to ensure that every angle is covered. You just might be surprised with better and more personal results than you thought!.
11. SKIP THE COORDINATOR.
If you get organized and involved your family and friends, you'll find that the coordinator is a superfluous role. Ask your bridesmaids and groomsmen to help you out on the day itself, or hand over the responsibility to oversee details to a trusted friend or cousin.
12. GET USEFUL PRE-WEDDING GIFTS.
Depending on how close you are to your guests and how acceptable it would be for tehm, you can actually ask for specific gifts. Have your Kuya sponsor the cake or tell a close ninang to provide the souvenirs. If people ask you how they can help or if you want a particular gift, don't be shy to ask for something you really need.
13. SUPPORT LOCAL.
One of the best ways to cut down on costs is to source your flowers, souvenirs and even wine locally. This serves a two-fold purpose:You help your budget and boost our economy by promoting Filipino buys. Besides, we have equally good counterparts of anything imported.
14. BORROW SOMETHING.
For the senti, revamping your mother's dress might be just the thing for you. Plus, nowadays, vintage has become chic. If that's not your style, going through your parents' stuff might yield coins, arrhae or a veil still in good condition.
15. CHECK FOR SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WITH SUPPLIERS.
Some photographers, makeup artists and florist offer budget-friendly services -- if you ask. Instead of availing of the usual photography packages, get labor-only deals which sometimes costs one-fourth the price. Or, go for hair-only packages and let a make-up savvy friend to do the make-up. Don't confine yourself to set packages. Ask for discounts and other special deals.
16.HAVE A BRUNCH OR MERIENDA RECEPTION.
This isn't usually done, but it's gaining popularity. Brunch meals are usually more affordable since there's no need for lighting expenses and the setting is generally more low-key.
17. GO FOR THE UNCONVENTIONAL TREATS.
How about using hundreds of cupcakes or several of your favorite cakes to form your wedding cake? Everyone can have a taste of your cake as well.
18. CUT DOWN ON YOUR GUEST LIST.
With every added guest, costs go up not only because this signals an additional mouth to feed, but it translates to one more invitation that needs to be printed, one more souvenir that has to be made, one more misalette and so on. Choose to invite only the nearest and the dearest who will truly share in your joy.
19. SCRIMP ON CAKE.
Many wedding cakes are good to look at but are way intimidating. Instead of going for window display-types, go for your Red Ribbon or Goldilocks alternatives. Not only can you get them in your old-time fave flavors, they come in designer-pretty cakes at one-third the price, too.
20. GET PEOPLE INVOLVED.
Devise a way in which people can actively do something. It can be a game or some cards to answer. It can also be a contest between tables -- anything to tie the whole group together. This saves you from the additional costs of hiring entertainment for the reception.
21. LET YOUR PERSONALITIES SHINE THROUGH.
Don't be one of those silent brides and grooms who fade into the background of their own weddings. Be a great host -- even it means being your own emcee or prepping a number. This frees you of steep talent fees.
22. JUST ENJOY.
After months of planning and budgeting, being in the moment and savoring each other is still the most priceless - yet "tipid" -- treat of all.
Tags:wedding budget, romance, wedding, budget, wedding budgets, bride
