Event Planning 101: How to get married on a budget

by Erika Morant

What better way to have fun after work, then to attend a wedding.  Most wedding venues have openings during the week as Saturdays and Sundays are in higher demand. 

As weddings can be one of the most exciting times in couple’s life, it can also be a stressful and financially burdensome event. As an event planner, I always look for ways to help couples save money without sparing the shear excitement.  Before you send out those invitations or call your caterer check out these money saving tips for your big day.

–          Have a cocktail reception– A cocktail reception with 6-8 passed hors d’oeuvres can be just as enjoyable as the traditional plated or buffet reception.  You can enhance your guest experience by featuring a selection of cuisine stations, such as a carving station, a sushi station or a pasta station.

–           Opt for signature cocktails– A premium open bar for 4-5 hours tends to be one of the priciest features of a wedding reception.  When you meet with your caterer inquire about developing a selection of signature cocktails, which can be offered to your guests for the duration of your reception. Signature cocktails should be drinks that complement the cuisine offering. Consider coining your cocktails with names which uniquely describe you and your mate—a great touch that your guests will never forget.

–          Choose alternative centerpieces- I will be the first to admit that flowers are gorgeous and often times the focal point of wedding décor, but utilizing alternative centerpieces are another great way to save significantly. Consider using photographs (such as old black and white or sepia photographs of weddings of family members), petite greenery or even decorative votive candles.

–          Wed on a weekday- What better way to have fun after work, then to attend a wedding.  Most wedding venues have openings during the week as Saturdays and Sundays are in higher demand.  Consider hosting your affair on a Friday evening that way guests can party into the night and not have to rush to work the next day.

–          A faux base– Cake tastes great in all forms. When ordering your wedding cake ask for the larger tiers to be faux—usually styrofoam bases that are iced and decorated to replicate the real tiers of a cake Your cake decoy can be substantiated by a series of sheet cakes that are cut and plated in the kitchen. Your guests will not event know the difference.

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Erika Morant is a Washington, DC area based Event Planner.

 

Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

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