| In every country around the world, young couples | | | | Wine does not to need to be expensive to be |
| spend thousands and thousands of dollars to host | | | | good. Select a good-tasting wine and set a limit on |
| glamorous and decadent weddings. Some are | | | | the number of bottles to be served. Wine should |
| finding it more and more difficult to achieve their | | | | never be left on the table for guests to serve |
| wedding 'dream,' without having to declare | | | | themselves. Not only is this an irresponsible |
| bankruptcy in the process. | | | | approach to your guest's safety, but it could also |
| These days, the average wedding for 100 guests | | | | increase your wine bill by 20 - 40 bottles. |
| can cost upwards of $10,000. The bridal dress | | | | Some brides have even found a way to save |
| alone can cost between $1000 and $5,000, add to | | | | money when purchasing their flowers. By |
| this the cost of the catering, flowers and | | | | purchasing the flowers from a large flower |
| photography and you can blow your budget | | | | distributor and assembling the bouquets |
| before leaving one store. Thankfully, there are | | | | themselves, brides are realizing 20 - 30% |
| many ways to save money when planning your | | | | discounts on the costs of their flowers. |
| wedding. | | | | Photography should only be done by professionals. |
| The first thing any bride should do is book the | | | | The only way to save money on a photographer |
| wedding date as far in advance as possible. | | | | is to set a budget and stick to it. Search around |
| Caterers and banquet facilities can change their | | | | for different prices and always ask for their most |
| prices many times during a year and if you sign a | | | | recent references. If you book your wedding on |
| contract now, for a wedding next year, you are | | | | a day other than Saturday, the photographer |
| assured there will be no price increases. | | | | may also offer a discounted rate. |
| Next is to be flexible with the date. Most | | | | No matter what features you want in your |
| weddings are held on Saturdays. Consequently, if | | | | wedding, there is probably a way to get it for a |
| you book your wedding on a Friday or a Sunday | | | | little less. It is highly unlikely that a supplier will ever |
| you will most likely receive a discount. Most | | | | 'volunteer' their discount policy to their clients. Ask |
| facilities offer a 10 - 20% discount functions being | | | | if there are any discounts available for certain |
| held on days other than Saturday. | | | | days of the week or months of the year. |
| Save money on wedding favors by making and | | | | The last piece of advice is decide what you will |
| assembling them yourself. Some brides wrap | | | | and won't compromise on. If the flowers are the |
| chocolates, candles and other assorted gifts in | | | | most important aspect of the wedding then |
| decorative papers or cloths. Another popular | | | | spend a little more money on them. If the food |
| option is to forgo these trinkets in favor of | | | | and beverage is more important than fancy |
| donations to local charities. | | | | flowers, spend more money on a five course |
| Selecting a simple menu and wine list can go a | | | | meal and a nicer bottle of wine. |
| long way to reducing a wedding's overall expense. | | | | Regardless of what you serve, wear or give |
| A simple three or four course meal with some | | | | away or even how much it cost, the guests at |
| hors d'oeuvres will see all guests full by the time | | | | your wedding are there to celebrate your |
| dessert is being cleared. | | | | happiness and future. |