In this economy, I'm sure the money question is on the minds of many a bride and groom, regardless of how long they have to plan. Can you believe the average cost of the American wedding is now $27,000? A lot of folks shelled out for that special day…and now are suffering through years of debt. But you don't have to: You can have a beautiful wedding at a reasonable price, if you're willing to be creative and open-minded. I have some ideas of my own to pass along, but I also wish I had had a copy of the current Real Simple magazine budget wedding guide. Here's some of the best stuff, both from me and the editors:
How to avoid the big price tags but look beautiful? A couple of ideas: First, a lot of popular retailers, like Ann Taylor and J. Crew, have gotten into the wedding biz. If you're open to simple designs, they can dress you and your wedding party for just hundreds of dollars. Also, think outside the bridal store box. If you time it right, you can find white and cream designer evening dresses on sale. A great seamstress can add crystals and rhinestones and make a veil. And look in surprising places: I walked into Jessica McClintock, expecting to find nothing but prom dresses. Instead, I walked out with a gold confection that cost little but made a gorgeous bridal gown.
If you are going to invest more in the dress, again consider a good seamstress. A friend in D.C. found the woman who tailored all of Jackie O's White House gowns. She still had all the classic patterns from the 1960s. For much less than she would have paid at a big bridal store, my friend got a classic gown and elegant, lushly colored bridal party wear.
The savings can be substantial. For example, I couldn't find a professional photographer for less than thousands. I turned instead to University of the Arts student John Bernardo. He and a fellow student spent the day with us, taking great shots from the wedding on into the evening reception. Some were portraits, some were artsy, some were candids. All were great. He got pictures for his portfolio, I got a price tag under $1000. (You can reach John at johnbernardo.com)
Real Simple has two main tips: First, consider a cocktail party with passed hors d'ouerves rather than a sit down dinner. A chef can still whip up delicious, creative bites but at lower prices than a sit down dinner (where lots of food goes wasted on plates or buffet tables).
Also, consider offering a signature cocktail with wine and beer instead of a full on bar. For example you could offer a mojito in honor of your Miami engagement or a pomegranate cosmo as a nod to your big move as a couple to New York City. That's a lot less expensive than offering a full rail bar.
Here's another idea from my own wedding: Rocco and I kept the wedding small, just our immediate family. That meant we could hold the wedding dinner in a restaurant, where everyone had lots of scrumptious, cooked-to-order choices for dinner. The next day we held a barbecue reception for our extended group of friends and family in our new home. One friend brought ribs, another handmade lasagna, and yet another made us a second wedding cake. Add in burgers and steaks on the grill and kids playing ball in the alley, and we had a ball. A lot of friends told us they enjoyed being able to relax with a beer in shorts rather than picking between the dry chicken or overcooked steak in a tight suit and painful heels. And it cost far less than the typical $100-$150 a head.
Here's some tips to be thriftier than me, but to dazzling effect. Pick a wedding day away from flower-heavy holidays like Valentine's or Mother's Day. Everyone pays more for blooms then, and so will you.
Let your favorite flower be a theme. It's a lot cheaper for a florist to get in a single order of zinnias, roses, or dahlias than to place multiple orders for mixed blooms. And the single bloom in your bouquet and across the room will look a unique signature stamp.
Or click on the websites for Proflowers or 1-800-Flowers and order the flowers yourself. You can get them dethorned and ready to arrange. Task a close friend with artsy flair or turn it into a bonding activity for your bridesmaids
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