Contrary to popular belief, a girl no longer must be born an heiress to have her dream wedding. The fact is, the new platinum wedding is custom and couture, not costly or commercialized. Surprisingly though, with the average cost of a wedding still around $21,000, it's obvious that this reality remains a closely guarded wedding business secret...that we're prepared to expose. The following is a recipe for wedding success that if followed, will create a party no one will ever forget...or believe that you didn't refinance your home to afford.
1. Dispel the
myths
Don't believe the hype. Just because your
cousin took out a $35,000 loan to pay for her wedding doesn't
mean that you should. I mean, do you even
remember her bridal bouquet, centerpieces, or even her wedding
colors for that matter? Odds are, you
don't. So focus on the reality: details and
personalization makes a wedding memorable, not dollars and
cents.
2. Learn the
Basics
A lot of Brides-to-be these days are opting to act as their own
wedding planner. This option is great for the
budget and great for the Bride...if you know how to plan and
organize a wedding correctly. Take the time to
do some research and gather the tools, schedules, forms, and
information needed to become a pro and it will pay off in the
end.
3. Utilize all of your
resources
Take a look at your budget and decide where you want to splurge,
and where you want to save. That way you will
have the best of both worlds. And remember, saving money
doesn't mean skimping on design or quality, when you are using
your own talent and resources to customize your event it's
truly quite the opposite.
4. Borrow
Creativity
You don’t have to be a professional wedding planner to plan a
perfect wedding. Check out magazines, library
books, and websites that offer ideas and brainstorm with your Maid
of Honor about how to duplicate them using a little elbow grease
and your local craft or discount store.
5. Do-it-yourself…with
help
Do-it-yourself should mean that you are the project manager, not
the only person involved in the project. Enroll
help from family, friends, and your bridal party and make task
lists so that everyone can participate in the customization of your
wedding. It will be a great bonding experience
and a huge money saver!
