Budget Weddings For Dummies

by Schneider, Meg

• ISBN13: 9780470502099
• ISBN10: 0470502096
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-10-12
• Publisher: For Dummies
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

Valuable information on planning a wedding within a budgetAre you planning a wedding, but worried about how much money you'll have to spend? In today's tough economic times, planning a budget wedding is more important than ever. This fun, money-saving guide is packed with tips for planning the wedding of your dreams without breaking your bank account!Inside you'll find tons of tips and advice for planning a budget-friendly celebration while still remaining true to your personality, values, and tastes. You'll see how to make and keep your wedding budget; select the most economical time to get married; scope out wedding locations that fit the bill; and incorporate everything from economical to green ideas that emphasize style and elegance. Plus, you get tips and pointers for negotiating with vendors and avoiding hidden expenses and add-ons. Hands-on information for planning a stylish wedding while sticking to your budget Shows you how to get deals on gowns, tuxes, cakes, invitations, photography, food, and more Tips for creating your own wedding items, such as decorations and favors Meg Schneider is an award-winning journalist who planned her own wedding for less than $5,000You don't have to settle for less on your wedding day. Budget Weddings For Dummies is the only guide you need to save yourself money, time, and stress while you plan a beautiful, memorable ceremony!

Author Biography

Meg Schneider (Cleveland, NY) is an award-winning journalist who planned her own wedding for less than $5,000.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
About This Book	p. 1
Conventions Used in This Book	p. 2
What You're Not to Read	p. 2
Foolish Assumptions	p. 3
How This Book Is Organized	p. 3
Comming Up with a Game Plan	p. 4
Planning the Ceremony	p. 4
Celebrating with Your Guests	p. 4
The Part of Tens	p. 4
Appendixes	p. 5
Icons Used in This Book	p. 5
Where to Go from Here	p. 5
Coming Up with a Game Plan	p. 7
Bringing Your Wedding Dream to Life	p. 9
Embracing the Real Magic of Weddings	p. 9
Establishing Goals and Identifying Your Priorities	p. 10
Setting goals together	p. 10
Figuring out your priorities	p. 12
Working out compromises	p. 15
Estimating Your Budget	p. 16
Staying Focused and in Control	p. 17
Working with a Wedding Budget	p. 19
Figuring Out the Cash Flow	p. 20
Establishing who's paying for what	p. 20
Calculating what you can afford	p. 21
Calling for a Reality Check	p. 24
Understanding average wedding costs	p. 24
Agreeing on limits	p. 26
Getting Others on Board with Your Budget	p. 27
Dealing with pushy friend and family	p. 28
Handling overzealous vendors	p. 29
Matching your Guest List to Your Budget	p. 29
Looking at a Sample Budget	p. 31
Deciding When to Get Married and Organizing Your Timeline	p. 35
Choosing a Date and Time to Suit Your Wallet	p. 36
Understanding how dates and times affect prices	p. 36
Avoiding expensive wedding dates	p. 39
Starting (And Finalizing) Your Guest List	p. 41
Reseving the Venue(s) Early to Cushion Your Budget	p. 41
Locking in prices	p. 42
Exploring early-bird extras	p. 42
Wheeling and dealing: Negotiating your deposits	p. 43
Set it in stone: Getting your contract in writing	p. 44
Filling In Other Details on Your Planning Timeline	p. 44
Building your wedding party	p. 45
Enlisting the help of family and friends	p. 45
Lining up vendors before all the good ones are booked	p. 46
Deciding whether to hire a planner	p. 47
Ordering wedding attire so you have plenty of time to spare	p. 49
Make it legal: Taking care of your marriage license	p. 50
Planning the Ceremony	p. 51
Deciding Where to Get Married	p. 53
Beginning the Search for the Perfect Location	p. 54
Choosing an Indoor Location	p. 55
Going to the chapel	p. 55
Saying "I do" in a reception hall	p. 58
Exchanging Vows Outdoors	p. 58
Reviewing Some inexpensive Outdoor options	p. 59
Considering the climate	p. 60
Backyard Nuptials: Getting Married at Home	p. 62
Saving Money with Destination Weddings	p. 65
Off the Beaten Path: Exploring Nontraditional Sites	p. 66
Ahoy, mate: Finding deals onboard boats	p. 66
Keeping costs down at castles	p. 67
Holding to your budget at historic places and civic sites	p. 67
Going Even Further From the Beaten Path	p. 68
Minimizing Wedding Party Costs	p. 69
Choosing Members of your Wedding Party	p. 70
Calculating the number of bridesmaids and groomsmen	p. 70
Deciding on a ring bearer and flower girl	p. 71
Outfitting the Wedding Party	p. 71
Dressing up your bridesmaids	p. 72
Finding the best attire for the groom's buddies	p. 73
Helping the ring bearer and flower girl look as sweet as sugar	p. 75
Accessorizing: It's all about the bling	p. 75
Pampering Your Wedding Party	p. 77
Gifting Your Attendants	p. 78
Dressing for Your Big Day	p. 81
Looking Like a Princess on a Pauper's Budget	p. 81
Understanding average wedding gown costs	p. 82
Finding a bridal outfit that both you and your budget love	p. 84
Shopping smarter by avoiding common sales tactics	p. 89
Dapper and Debonair: Dressing the Groom	p. 91
Picking out your penguin suit: Wearing a tux	p. 91
Considering other clothing options	p. 93
With This Ring: Selecting the Symbols of Your Love	p. 94
Hammering out the Ceremony Details	p. 97
Selecting an Officiant on a Budget	p. 97
Getting the skinny on general costs	p. 98
Breaking down the fees	p. 99
Hearing the Music of Your Dreams-for Less	p. 102
Opting for recorded music	p. 103
Hiring musicians and singers	p. 104
Decorating on a Dime	p. 107
Picking Flowers (Or Fun Alternatives)	p. 109
Thinking About Your Floral Budget	p. 110
Envisioning the flowers you'll select	p. 110
Selecting a style for the bridal bouquet	p. 111
Choosing flowers for the wedding party	p. 114
Arranging flowers for the ceremony venue	p. 115
Deciding on reception flowers	p. 116
Choosing a Florist	p. 118
Knowing what questions to ask	p. 119
Getting the details in writting	p. 120
Keeping Your Floral Costs Down	p. 121
Going seasonal	p. 121
Creating your own arrangements	p. 122
Considering alternatives to fresh flowers	p. 123
Capturing It for Posterity: Photography and Videography	p. 125
Deciding What Kinds of Photos and Videos You Want	p. 126
Selecting from the many photography styles	p. 126
Considering video options	p. 128
Choosing photographers and Videographers You Can Afford	p. 130
Beginning Your search	p. 131
Interviewing Candidates	p. 133
Negotiating a good deal	p. 139
Getting Your Guests involved	p. 141
Putting It in Print: Invitations, Programs, and Miscellany	p. 143
Shopping for the Best Deals	p. 143
Bricks-and-mortar print shops	p. 144
Mail-order catalogs	p. 145
Web sites	p. 145
Choosing an Invitation Style to Fit Your Budget	p. 146
Picking out paper	p. 146
Comparing printing process costs	p. 148
Including inserts (or not)	p. 149
Adding postage	p. 151
Creating Programs and Other Materials	p. 151
Sending save-the-date cards	p. 151
Getting Your guests with the program	p. 152
Showing guests to their seats	p. 152
It's a napkin! No, it's a souvenir!	p. 153
Saying thank you to your guests	p. 153
DIY: including Your Creativity (And Saving Money)	p. 153
Celebrating With Your Guests	p. 155
Selecting the Reception Site	p. 157
Matching Sites with Your Guest List	p. 157
Finding the Best Venue for Your Reception	p. 158
Church fellowship halls	p. 159
Hotel ballrooms	p. 160
Banquet halls	p. 162
Clubs	p. 162
Restaurants	p. 163
Considering Transportation	p. 163
Hiring a limousine service	p. 164
Arranging bus transport for your guests	p. 165
Exploring alternative options	p. 166
Feeding the Hordes	p. 167
Setting a Food Budget	p. 167
Adjusting the Formality Dial	p. 168
Sophisticated and relaxed: Daytime receptions	p. 169
A sweet affair: Dessert receptions	p. 172
Cocktail receptions: A social alternative	p. 172
Formality at its finest: Dinner receptions	p. 173
Selecting a Caterer to Cook for the Crowd	p. 174
Knowing what you're paying for	p. 175
Asking Caterers the right questions	p. 176
Managing Menu Choices	p. 177
Answering the Alcohol Question	p. 178
Understanding how you pay for alcohol	p. 178
Slashing Your booze bill	p. 179
Keeping a lid on drunkenness	p. 180
Considering liability issues	p. 181
Making Your Cake the Star	p. 181
Getting the skinny on average cake expenses	p. 182
Selecting a baker	p. 184
Cutting your cake costs	p. 185
Looking at low-cost alternatives	p. 187
Arranging Entertainment and Preparing the Venue	p. 189
Using Music to Set the Tone for the Reception	p. 189
Enlisting a DJ	p. 190
Hiring a band	p. 192
Asking the right questions	p. 194
Trimming Entertainment costs	p. 196
Choosing a budget-friendly wedding date and time	p. 196
Saving a bundle with some helpful hints	p. 197
Creating a party Atmosphere with Reception Decorations	p. 198
Deciding on centerpieces	p. 199
Choosing order decorations	p. 203
Making the Most of Prewedding and Postwedding Events	p. 205
Keeping Costs Down for the Rehearsal Dinner	p. 205
Considering the guest list	p. 206
Choosing a location	p. 206
Planning the menu	p. 207
Hosting Gatherings for Your Wedding Party	p. 208
Bridal Brunch	p. 209
Groom get-together	p. 209
Feting Out-of-Town Guests	p. 210
Partying with Those who can't Make the wedding	p. 212
Honeymooning in style-and in the Black	p. 213
Thinking About the kind of Honeymoon you want	p. 213
Saving money on cruises and resorts	p. 214
Considering hotels, Condos, and other alternatives	p. 215
Budgeting for your Postwedding Gateway	p. 216
Covering all your travel expenses	p. 216
Saving for the trip	p. 217
Registering for your honeymoon	p. 218
Researching Honeymoon spots with Cost in Mind	p. 219
Turning your Internet Know-how into travel savings	p. 219
Enlisting a travel agent	p. 219
Tweaking Your plans for value	p. 220
Hitting hot spots in the off-season	p. 220
Choosing cheaper days of the week	p. 222
Looking into other transportation options	p. 222
The early bride gets the deal: Booking early	p. 223
When being late pays off: Booking your trip at the last minute	p. 223
Dealaying your honeymoon	p. 224
The Part of Tens	p. 225
Ten Ways to Get the Most for Your Wedding Dollar	p. 227
Shop Around and Get Several Different Quotes	p. 227
Get Referrals from Trusted sources	p. 228
Hit the suburbs	p. 228
Search the Internet for Deals and Advice	p. 228
Ask Vendors for Extras	p. 229
Negotitate Discount with Vendors	p. 229
Use Your social Network to your Advantage	p. 230
Opt for services Instead of Gifts	p. 230
Become a DIY Expert	p. 231
Pay with a Rewards Credit Card	p. 231
Ten Inexpensive Wedding Favors	p. 233
Bookmarks	p. 234
Candles and Candle Holders	p. 234
Candy	p. 235
Coasters	p. 235
Drink Mix packets	p. 236
Magnets	p. 236
Photo Frames and Keychains	p. 236
Plantable Favors	p. 237
Soaps	p. 237
Swizzle Sticks	p. 238
Ten Traditions to Reconsider When You're on a Budget	p. 239
A Traditional Location	p. 239
Traditional Wedding Clothes	p. 240
A Romantic Limo Ride	p. 240
Professional photography or Videography	p. 241
The Tossing of the Bouquet (or the Garter	p. 241
A Traditional Reception	p. 242
A Traditional Tiered Cake	p. 242
Professional Musicians	p. 243
Monogrammed Napkins	p. 243
Expensive Favors	p. 244
Appendixes	p. 247
Your Planning calendar	p. 247
12 to 9 Months in Advance	p. 248
8 to 6 Months in Advance	p. 250
5 Months in Advance	p. 251
4 Months in Adavance	p. 252
3 to 2 Months in Advance	p. 253
1 Month in Advance	p. 254
3 weeks in Advance	p. 255
The week before the wedding	p. 256
Price Comparison Worksheets	p. 257
Baker	p. 258
Catering Services	p. 259
Ceremony sites	p. 260
Florists	p. 261
Musicians/DJs	p. 262
Photographers	p. 263
Printers	p. 264
Reception sites	p. 265
Videographers	p. 266
Your Wedding Checklist	p. 267
Apparel	p. 267
Ceremony	p. 269
Flowers	p. 269
Gifts/Favors	p. 270
Honeymoon	p. 270
Miscellaneous	p. 271
Photography/Videography	p. 271
Printing	p. 272
Reception	p. 272
Rehearsal Dinner	p. 274
Your Wedding Budget	p. 275
Index	p. 283
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