Wedding Reception Ideas for the Budget-Conscious Bride

Sep 22
09:43

2011

Andrew Stratton

Andrew Stratton

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With some strategic planning and a little legwork you can have a beautiful wedding reception within your budget.

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Getting married does not have to eat up your entire savings account or put you into extreme credit card debt. A wedding reception can often be the biggest expense of the entire event,Wedding Reception Ideas for the Budget-Conscious Bride Articles but with a little forethought and creativity you can have an elegant, memorable day that meets your budget and your expectations. Too keep costs low, you can look at various alternatives for the venue, the decorations, the food, and the entertainment.

The venue for your wedding reception can be anything from a multi-purpose room at a church, a local park, or a scenic country club. If you are getting married in a church, ask if there is a room where you can hold your after-ceremony festivities. Often these rooms will have tables and chairs available for use, and many times there will be a kitchen available as well. Local parks are beautiful in the spring and summer, and many have pavilions or clubhouses that are available for rent. Also, if you or a relative have a membership to a country club or golf course, you may be able to secure the banquet facilities at a discount. Since you can typically customize the décor to the venue, you can have a wedding reception almost anywhere.

Another way you can trim expenses from your wedding reception budget is to be frugal with décor choices. That does not mean things have to look cheap or unattractive, but it does mean that you may need to get creative with your options. If you have lots of time to plan, consider shopping off-season for décor items that you will need. For instance, if you are planning a winter wedding, purchase white lights after Christmas the year before and save them. Taking a little extra time can save you between 50% and 75% off the cost of your decorations. Also, try to think outside of the box. Just because a vase is meant for flowers does not mean you cannot use it for floating candles.

When it comes to the food, you can cut wedding reception expenses by making a few key changes to the menu. First of all, have you considered just serving cake or punch? Also, you could just serve hors d'oeuvres and simple cocktails. If you want to serve a full meal, consider a buffet service or hiring an independent caterer. Choosing less expensive entrees will also help trim costs and keep you on track. Additionally, your cake does not have to be the most expensive one available. Look at independent bakeries and even grocery store bakery departments. Often their cakes look and taste just as good as their high-dollar counterparts.

Entertainment is very important at a reception. Hiring a band is rarely an option, but hiring a DJ can be a good alternative. You might also consider hiring a musically inclined friend to man a stereo system for a more simple, yet crowd friendly, alternative.

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