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by Cate Williams, MMI
Trying to plan a wedding that you won't be paying off 'til death do us part'? Cate Williams of MMI has some great ideas that just might save more than the day.
CAKE
Avoid "stacked" cakes, as this will definitely need the attention of a professional pastry chef. Instead do a couple of cakes that can be displayed next to each other at alternating heights. You can accent the cakes with lighting, candles and some of those freshly picked flowers and best of all, someone you know could probably create the perfect cake with some simple cake decorating tools found at any arts & crafts supply store.
FLOWERS- Schedule your wedding after a big holiday like Valentine's Day or Mother's Day when florists have tons of leftover flowers. Use just flower petals for centerpieces, your departure from the reception, etc. (They bag these up and you can get them for cheap, cheap!)
- Consider picking fresh flowers from fields, friend's gardens, etc. and bundling them with a whimsical ribbon for arm bouquets. At the reception, do the same thing, but place your fresh flowers in a glass bubble bowl with the ribbon flowing delicately onto the table.
CATERING
- Request service attendants at the buffet/hors d'oeuvres line. The presence of chefs in their crisp whites is very impressive and your guests will never know that you're actually controlling cost by having serving sizes controlled.
- Inquire about piggybacking menus on an event that is happening the same evening. Choosing the same menu will bring the cost of scale down.
DECORATIONS
Once you pick a color theme, shop the after holiday sales for candles. For example, for brides who go with a red/white theme, shopping the after Christmas sales will uncover a multitude of decorations at a fraction of the cost. The same holds true with Easter and pastel colors.
TRANSPORTATION
- Rent your limo from a funeral service as they rarely use them in the evenings.
- Ask to borrow a luxury car for the day from a family member or friend as a wedding gift.
PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHY
Consider hooking up with a new photographer or someone trying to get a customer base in your area. Offer him referrals if he agrees to shoot your wedding at a discount.
FAVORS
Have copies made of one of your favorite photos together and put them in inexpensive paper frames. Take the time to handwrite "Thank you for spending this special day with us" at the bottom of the frame. Then add the date and leave them for your guests to take home.
ENTERTAINMENT
- Consider using the location's house sound system. Light jazz or classical can often sound better than other forms of entertainment as the sound filters throughout the entire room creating an atmosphere of romance or dancing fun.
- Burn your own CDs (legally) from the Internet and avoid a DJ altogether.
NEGOTIATION TIPS
- Make sure you know what is included in the per person price. Inquire as to whether or not the per person price includes decorations, linens, chairs, centerpieces, ice carvings, etc. Not establishing this up front will end up increasing the total price of the wedding.
- Ask the planner, "What types of value adds or upgrades are you willing to include if I book my wedding here?" Many properties are willing to work with you if you ask.
~Pictures courtesy of wed168.com.tw and yesido.biz