VictoriaChristophe.com Acquires ToastedWeddingEvent.com Domain Expanding more into Wedding photography and wedding event Niche
So, you’re planning a wedding or other important occasion shortly. How did I come to this conclusion? Because if you weren’t, you wouldn’t be reading this! Everyone wants to have a fantastic wedding, birthday party, quinceanera, or another special event, and why not save some money while doing so? Here are some simple ideas for having a beautiful wedding or event while also saving money!
1. Take your time – Sam Hunt’s song “Take Your Time” is not only a terrific Country tune, but it also serves as excellent counsel. The average engagement lasts 14 months, although it can last much longer. Why? The longer you’ve been engaged, the more time you’ve had to save money and plan your wedding! This is also true when it comes to event planning.
2. Don’t See “Saturday Night Fever” – Even though “Saturday Night Fever” was a classic 1970s film, don’t see it! Weddings on Saturdays are the norm, and venue owners and vendors are well aware of this. For a Saturday wedding or event, you’ll always pay the “regular,” premium amount. Save money by scheduling your event on a Friday, Sunday, or even a weekday.
3. Think Off-Season – Have your wedding or event during the “off-season” and save a lot of money! In Central Texas, wedding season runs from March to July. Weddings in the fall are also growing more popular. You’ll save a lot of money on your location and possibly your vendors if you have your wedding between December and February!
4. Use Non-Required Vendors – Many venue owners have a written or verbal agreement with vendors, and they may be paid a referral fee for each booking the vendor receives from this venue. This is fantastic for them, but not for you! Why? For the simple reason that the suppliers will not lose their referral money. They’ll very certainly boost their pricing to cover the cost, and you’ll wind up paying more for the “preferred vendor.” If you don’t use their vendors, some venues will charge you a fee. You have the right to contest this cost. They want your business, so it’s not a bad idea to give it a shot.
5. Shop Around – Always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, always, Obtaining quotations from numerous providers has never been easier thanks to the internet. Don’t go with the first seller who offers the best deal. Remember to consider the worth of the item you’re purchasing, not just the lowest price. A vendor who isn’t the cheapest may be able to provide you with more value! Always inquire about the service’s inclusions.
6. Book a Single Location – If at all possible, have your wedding ceremony and reception in the same location. You won’t have to pay rental fees for two distinct venues this way. For a single, fixed charge, several locations offer both an outdoor ceremony area and an interior reception area. Simply request that your wedding officiant execute the ceremony in your location. This saves time and prevents your guests from having to go to multiple locations.
7. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for More – Weddings and events are wonderful occasions for you, your family, and friends, but don’t forget that, while it’s always good to be a part of someone’s special day, it’s also business for venue owners and vendors. What is included in the price, according to the venue owner/manager? Is table linen and chairs included in the purchase, or are they extra? Ask the same question of vendors: what’s included in the price? “Will you throw in anything free or additional if I decide to book today?” asks the second. It’s not a bad idea to inquire.
8. Consider a Restaurant – Rather than wedding or event locations, we’re seeing an increasing number of weddings and parties held at local eateries. The majority of restaurants charge a minimum per person cost, with many starting at 50 people. Instead of a venue rental fee, restaurant managers will simply charge you for the food and drinks served to your guests. They’ll set up the room, tables, linens, decorations, and so on, as well as clean up afterward. You’ll save time and effort by not having to do it yourself! You can also inquire about having your DJ or band perform at the reception.
9. Take it to the House – that is, the courthouse. To save a lot of money, consider getting married at the courthouse. Simply pay the filing cost, which in our county is around $85. This saves you time and stress by eliminating the need to prepare your wedding, hire ceremony musicians or a DJ, schedule the ceremony, and so on. This will free up time for you to concentrate on preparing a fantastic reception. You’ll also save money on your location because the number of hours required will be reduced (you won’t need time for the ceremony and cocktail hour).
10. Think about other dinner options – Many restaurants offer on-site food for a fraction of the cost of traditional wedding/event caterers. Get a few quotations by calling around. Make sure you know how many people will be attending. For dinner, we’ve served BBQ at many of the weddings we’ve done. This will save you a lot of money, and it’s Texas, so almost everyone likes BBQ! Make sure to include some healthy and vegetarian options as well.
11. Rethink the Cake – While cakes are customary for weddings, quinceaneras, and other special occasions, they aren’t essential. If you choose to serve something else, the wedding police will not show up at your celebration. Many couples have a little wedding cake that they cut and then give to their guests as cupcakes. Cookies, donuts, and even apples have been offered at previous marriages. One wedding had adorned apples for the bride and groom, as well as a bucket of chocolate-covered or candied apples for each table. What a fantastic concept!
12. Flower Power – The power of flowers is real (especially their lovely smell), but unless you’re Mario or Luigi from Mario Bros., you don’t get to fling fireballs at things. Are the flowers real or fake? Real or imitation flowers might cost almost the same depending on the type of bloom you choose. If you insist on genuine flowers, make sure they’re in season. If you use imitation flowers, you can also add aroma! Keep in mind that roses will always be more expensive, so think about other floral options. We’ve done a lot of weddings without flowers, save for the bouquet, and no one has ever questioned, “Where are the flowers?” To be honest, no one will miss them.
13. Beats Per Second First and foremost, Though the second place is rarely thought to be superior to first, it might be in terms of décor. Look for wedding decorations on Craigslist. You’ll notice a lot of newlyweds selling their wedding decor and other goods. You may save a lot of money by purchasing used products, and no one will know!
14. Don’t Forget the Grocery Store – Flowers can be found at your local grocery store for a fraction of the price! If you give them plenty of notice, you can save money on flowers compared to the local florist. You can also obtain fantastic cakes for a much lower price!
15. Be Your Own DJ – For a fraction of the price, you can surely “be your own DJ.” Simply make a playlist of your favorite songs, connect your laptop or iPod to the venue’s sound system, and you’ll be able to listen to your favorites all night! Remember that your visitors will have a wide range of musical tastes, so include a selection of genres. Rent a sound system from a nearby musical instrument rental company if your venue doesn’t have one. Keep in mind that your playlist will not alter, that you will not be able to make requests, that you will not be able to mix the music, or that you will not be able to “read the crowd.” As a skilled DJ, your playlist won’t know when to switch genres. You’ll need someone to “MC” critical moments, which you may employ or delegate to a friend or family member. To create a joyful ambiance, you’ll also need dance floor lighting.
16. Recognize when you require the services of a DJ – Make a schedule and figure out when you’ll need your DJ to start performing. Keep in mind that DJs bill by the hour, so make sure you inquire about if set-up and tear-down are included in the price or extra. Consider using the DJ exclusively for the reception if the wedding or event is modest. We’re frequently scheduled for the ceremony and reception, but because the site was so small, the officiant didn’t need the microphone. Consider dinner as well. As previously indicated, you can make your playlist and bring a good audio system to play it during dinner, saving you the cost of having a DJ play music.
17. Create Your Own Photobooth – Purchase all of the props from Amazon or a local party supply store, as well as your backdrop and a couple of stands to set up your backdrop, and you’ll have an open-air photo booth! Guests can use their phones to snap images. Set up an Instagram wedding account with any hashtag you want, ask your guests to tag your wedding account, and voila, you’ll have all of your guests’ photos! However, your guests will not be able to take home their photo strips. You’ll also be responsible for setting up and dismantling the photobooth section.
18. Deposits & Payments – Enquire about deposit amounts, due dates, cancellation procedures, and so on. For the deposit, several merchants demand 50% of the whole cost. Though this is OK, make sure to inquire about flexibility. Are you able to provide 25%? What’s to stop you? Is it possible for you to pay the entire sum in installments? Is there a fee for this service? Keep receipts for anything you spend money on, and always communicate via email so you have a written record. Vendors may need full payment in advance of the event. When you’re doing this, be cautious. Vendors can be late, fail to meet their contractual obligations, and so on, even though you’ve previously paid them. Inquire about the possibility of paying on the day of the event.
19. Get it in Writing – This may not appear to be a money-saving suggestion, but it is. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve received calls from clients complaining that their DJ or photobooth service hasn’t returned their calls after they’ve paid the deposit! These customers lost their deposit and had no choice but to hire us. Make a wise decision and put it in writing!
20. Do Your Research – Research vendors, the location, and planning advice, among other things. Look for testimonials. Remember that no company can have 100 percent good feedback. You can’t please everyone all of the time; it’s simply impossible. Examine the publication dates of the reviews. Look for information on Google, Wedding Wire, Yelp, Facebook, The Knot, and other websites. You’re certainly doing your homework if you’re reading this! Congratulations! Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or require assistance; we would be pleased to assist you!
