Wedding Planning

Daytime Wedding

While there is much to be said for having a wedding at night - where you and your guests can dance under a transparent tent and almost see the stars, or where your guests are eating dinner at 10pm and by the time you and your new husband are able to retire to the newlywed suite, you are too tired to consummate – planning a wedding for the daytime can be just as elegant and memorable but for half the cost.

There are several advantages to having a wedding during the day rather than at night. First, having a wedding reception in the afternoon allows for plenty of time to celebrate with your guests afterward. When the reception is over, there is still time for people to “post-party” or come together in the evening, so it truly feels like a day-long celebration. Second, since the reception will be done at a reasonable hour, you will have plenty of alone time with your new spouse and won’t be too beat to enjoy it. Of course, walking down the aisle earlier in the day is also an ideal way to avoid those hours of cold feet anxiety that typically come from waiting around all day for the wedding to start.

What makes a day wedding inherently less expensive than a night wedding is just the nature of the time of day the wedding will take place. For example, at many restaurants a lunch menu is usually cheaper than a dinner menu, because lunch is usually seen as the more casual meal of the day. In Europe and in other parts of the world, however, lunch is viewed as the most important meal of the day - - so you should either adopt this view when planning your day wedding, or you should plan to get married in Paris.

Perhaps the greatest cost savings to having a wedding during the daytime is the idea of having the wedding reception outside. A night wedding that takes place outside is just asking for mosquitoes to bother your guests. During the day, however, you don’t need an expensive tent to keep the bugs at bay nor do you need fancy tablecloths and décor that really drive the bill high. Instead, you can opt to turn the wedding into a BBQ and set up picnic tables with less expensive table cloths. While this is less fancy, your wedding will focus on the fun, great food, and spirit of a BBQ theme. Or, if you would like the wedding to be as formal as possible, you can still have all the beautiful decorations and covered chairs, less the cost of renting a ballroom at a hotel.

One aspect of having a day wedding that immediately brings the cost down is the clothes. Whether inside or outside, a day wedding will not usually require black tie attire, which means less expensive bridesmaids’ dresses and most certainly a less pricy, more simple wedding dress for you. Simple, let me remind you, does not equate to ugly or boring; all simple means is a beautiful dress you love less the frills, bells and whistles that usually add all the dollar signs. Furthermore, your guests will feel more comfortable in more casual garb, and the dancing and eating will be much less stiff.

To put on a fabulous wedding that is both memorable and reasonable, let the sun lead the way and shine on your daytime celebration.

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Filed under: Wedding Planning — vicky at 12:39 pm on Friday, July 25, 2008

Budget Wedding Tips for the Groom

While most wedding guides focus on money-saving suggestions from the bride’s point of view, a groom also has a number of expenses that can easily get out of hand. Depending on how involved you are with the wedding plans, this can include a wide range of items from rings to tuxedoes to gifts for your groomsmen. That said, when cutting expenses, there are some things that are you should focus on more than others. In many cases, you’ll find that the conventional answers are already the most economical ones!

Wedding Rings

The wedding band is one piece of jewelry that you’ll want your fiancé to treasure for the rest of her life. Therefore, it’s not unreasonable to choose a ring based on quality and workmanship as opposed to cost. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to go out and choose the most expensive ring you can find. If you shop around, you should be able to find a ring that’s well made and a good value for your money.

In some cases, you may have acquired your fiancé’s engagement ring as part of a family tradition. If you need to locate a matching wedding band, try antique shops or other sources of second hand jewelry. These stores often have a wide range of jewelry available for much less than standard retail stores. However, if you find a good deal, you may also want to look at new wedding bands to see if one will match the engagement ring.

If you purchased your own engagement ring, you may have also had an opportunity to purchase a matching wedding ring. In some cases, buying the two rings together can save you money. You may also get a good deal if you purchase both of your rings together, so look for these matched sets in traditional jewelry stores. You can also look online for clearance items – just be sure to read the description and terms carefully before you pay.

Tuxedos

Typically, most men rent their wedding tuxedos instead of going out and buying a new one. You may also be able to save money by renting a regular suit, instead of a complete tuxedo. Of course, if your fiancé is planning a formal wedding, you may not be able to go this route. Keep an eye out for coupons or sales at tuxedo rentals in your area, and look for shops that offer discount for multiple rentals. If you rent suits for all your groomsmen from the same place, you may be eligible for a significant discount.

Hair Styling and Grooming

You’ll want to look your very best on your wedding day, so don’t forget to budget for a professional cut or trim. Ask your usual barber shop if they have any suggestions for your wedding – remember, you’ll be preserving this day for years in photo albums, so don’t worry about spending a little extra for a more flattering cut or color. In addition, if you have a beard or mustache, you may want to have them professionally trimmed before the big day.

Even though some grooms have little to do with planning the wedding, there are still expenses that you’ll need to consider. With some wedding day items, you may find that rentals and second hand items are your best options – especially when you’re on a tight budget. However, considering this is your special day, there are a few areas where you may want to spend a bit more to ensure that everything’s perfect.