What’s Worth the Investment for Your Wedding (and What’s Not)
According to BRIDES magazine, the average cost of a wedding in 2011 was $26,501. Sadly, it's hard to keep a wedding at around the $20k mark these days. However, in the wedding planning game, knowledge is power; and discerning important purchases from frivolous ones makes all the difference. Following is a list of what's worth the investment-and what's not.
Worth It: Beer, Wine, and One Signature Cocktail
Unless you (or your family) live a temperate life, you should provide some form of libations at the reception-it is a party after all! Select one red, one white, and a couple of beers. If you want to take your beverages up a notch, ask your caterer to supply one mixed drink-in a hue matching your color scheme-and give it a cute moniker. Offering one hard liquor option gives guests the feeling of being pampered with potables yet keeps the cost down for you. Finally, don't forget about the celebratory champagne; one half-glass per guest is usually enough to cover the night's toasts.
Not Worth It: Open Bar
Providing guests with a fully stocked open bar is a slippery slope that leads to exorbitant costs and highly inebriated guests. Don't feel like you have treat family and friends to a smorgasbord of spirits. Most are happy with a glass of wine-or bottle of beer-in hand to toast to you and your new life together. In fact, most are just happy to be there.
Worth It: Appetizers
The window of time between the beginning of the ceremony and the first course can be long-longer still if the ceremony is fairly involved and if guests are required to drive from one location to another. During this time, loved ones will get hungry, so it's important to satiate appetites with finger foods and passed horsdourves. Besides, if you insist on having drinks before the sit-down meal, appetizers are must, as you don't want guests drinking on empty stomachs.
Not Worth It: Dessert (Excluding the Cake)
While the idea of having mini cupcakes, ice cream sundae bar, or chocolate fountain with bite-sized dipping pieces in addition to the traditional cake sounds mouthwateringly grand, extra dessert isn't needed-and isn't worth it. If you have guests who don't like cake, they can simply pass-and I'm betting they wouldn't think twice about it.
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Originally posted on DivineCaroline by Jennifer Haley
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