Creative Budget Tips For Weddings

(NAPSI)-There's good news for brides and grooms. Experts say it's possible to have a wedding to remember without breaking the bank. The key is planning. From flowers to attire to the wedding cake, here are some great wallet-friendly tips that will ensure you will still have a fabulous wedding:

• Set your priorities-How you budget your money is going to depend on your priorities. If serving a four-course dinner is more important to you than hiring an incredible photographer, then you'll want to budget more on food.

For starters, a Web site called WeddingChannel.com has a budget tool calculator where you just enter your budget and the number of guests you're expecting, and it'll give you a suggested breakdown on how much you should spend for each wedding item.

• Pare down the guest list. One of the easiest ways to save money is to invite only close family and friends.

• Choose flowers in season and choose a location such as a garden or a vineyard that already has built-in decor. Even a location that has really ornate details may require fewer flowers and can help you save. If your bloom of choice isn't in season, swap out expensive flowers for ones that still provide the same look and feel.

• A popular way to save on the wedding dress is to hit a sample sale, which experts say can help cut costs by as much as 80 percent. If you're having a fall/winter wedding, check out sample sales during April/May, and if you're having a spring/summer wedding, hit the sample sales in October/ November.

• To save on alcohol, consider unlimited beer and wine with a signature cocktail.

• Get creative with the cake. If you have your baker create a fake layer or two in your wedding cake, and actually serve slices from a sheet cake hidden in the kitchen, you can save about 50 percent per slice.

• Find a comprehensive Web site that can serve as your consultant all through the planning process. For example, many have come to trust the expert advice and tips at the Web site www.weddingchannel.com.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page