Events for Less!

So today we are giving some of the top 10 ways to save money while planning your wedding...

1. Hold your wedding between December - March.
-Contrary to what some vendors will tell you, they SHOULD be giving discounts during these months! This is what we call off season or off peak time! No one really chooses these months because it's cold in this area... but you still can have a beautiful indoor wedding for LESS!

2. Stay away from Saturdays!
-The highest rates are on Saturdays because that's the biggest day to have a wedding! Choose a Friday or during the week if it will suite your family. Usually everyone has a Friday open in the evening, so you could create a romantic evening ceremony at 7pm and then have your reception begin at 8:30 and still have 4-5 hours to celebrate!

3. Demand a discount when you are holding your event on off days or off peak wedding season!
-We've actually asked about discounts during this time from some venues and they will tell us, "We do not offer discounts during that time." Um... hello? Who says no to a wedding even if you have to give a discount?! Brides... STAY AWAY FROM THESE PLACES! If they are not willing to work with you now, how do you think they will be when it comes to wedding day?

4. Work with a wedding planner!
-It may sound cliche because I am one, but in all honesty, a good planner should be able to get you discounts with vendors and they should know all of the ways to save you money! At ATE we have scoured the best advice and money saving tips. We can, on average, save you about 30% off of your budget! Make sure that when you are hiring a planner, they offer these services!

5. Take your pictures before!
-If you are up to non-traditional techniques, by all means take your pictures with your groom BEFORE the ceremony. This will save you about $1000 in hor dourves and pre-reception guest accommodations!

6. Choose 1 main dish!
- The good caterers will allow you to only choose 1 main dish such as chicken instead of having 2 or 3 that they normally offer in their packages. This can save you up to $2-3 per person!

7. Do a signature drink instead of an open bar!
-Every party should have a signature drink, so why not just have that instead of an open bar and save A LOT of money?! Its a fantastic, chic way to save some cash!

8. Cut your guest list by 50 people!
-Most events average about $100 per person. That's including the invitation, the centerpieces, the food, the favors, the chair covers and other rentals. Times that by 50 and you have $5000. Lower budgets average about $50 per person, that's still $2500! The new process to doing this is to word the response card with, "We have 2 seats reserved in your honor." This will limit guests to bringing only the people that you want there, it's also a good way to cut children out of the reception for an adult only soiree.

9. Hire experienced but not mainstream vendors!
-So you want a GREAT photographer, wedding planner, videographer, etc? Find one that does not have a ton of overhead! Maybe they do not advertise in every magazine but they still have had several weddings and just as many happy brides to vouch for their amazing services! FIND THESE TYPE OF VENDORS! They are more likely to go within your budget parameters... the other guys typically think they can get a bride to fill the day that you are requesting, so they will stand their ground!


10. Create conversational pieces!
-If you want decor that will intrigue your guests but that will not cost you a ton, create unique conversational pieces. For an upcoming wedding, we are creating a Time Capsule for the reception. With color coded slips of paper and buckets for the different years, guests are being asked to write down what the bride and groom will be doing 1, 5, and 10 years from now. It's a great way to get the guests mingling, its memorable and its inexpensive!

Bonus advice:

MAKE A BUDGET... and try to stick to it! It will keep you on track and you will have a guide line when you purchase your items!