Every little girl dreams about her fantasy wedding growing up. But after the proposal, most brides-to-be quickly realize that planning a fairy tale dream wedding isn’t quite as simple as it first appears in perfectly staged bridal magazines.
“Most brides love the over-the-top weddings they see in magazines,” says Jennifer Orsini, owner of Jenny Orsini Events in Randolph, whose work has been featured in People, Contemporary Bride and Brides. “But then they get sticker shock when they find out how much it all costs. What’s important to remember when planning a wedding is to prioritize, adjust expectations and be willing to compromise.”
That’s not to say you have to trade a big church ceremony for a small affair in Vegas. You just need to scale back and create a realistic budget that you can really afford. “Every bride can have a beautiful wedding,” says Orsini. “The key is to redefine what ‘beautiful’ really means.”
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Here are Orsini’s top 6 tips to save big without sacrificing style on your big day:
Eat, Drink and Be Merry: “Ask about menu options such as a buffet, limiting the number of main courses. Is brunch an option? Often, the time of day and the way in which food is served can reduce the price.”
Party Like a Rock Star…Within Reason: “Never spend more than 55 percent of your budget on your reception. Follow this rule and you won’t become reception poor.”
Play That Funky Music: “Bands are fabulous, but they are exponentially more expensive than a deejay. Live ceremony musicians are so elegant, but they can cost up to $1,000! Think about hiring a music student or even having your deejay play the instrumental version of your wedding ceremony songs. But hire a deejay. Did I mention I don’t recommend hiring Uncle Joe with his iPod?”
Lighten Up: “Think about using lots of candles. It creates such ambience. Submerged flowers are also very cost effective and still elegant.”
Say Cheese: “Hire a professional photographer. Most offer coverage-only packages so you don’t have to pay for albums or prints.”
Say Yes to the Dress: “Find the perfect wedding dress at sample sales, on websites or at consignment shops. Shop ’til you drop!”
Hero (Top) Feature Image: © Aycatcher / Adobe Stock
Additional Image Courtesy: CLB photography
