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Wedding costs and how to save money on your wedding at the beach

WEDDING COSTS AND HOW YOU CAN TRIM YOUR WEDDING EXPENSES

The average wedding these days is somewhere around $20,000.00. That is a considerable amount of money to spend. So, if you can save in any area, by all means do so!

The following are some helpful hints and ideas, explore some or all of them and I guarantee you will stay within your wedding budget.

  • SERVE PUNCH OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES LIKE SPARKLING CIDER OR GRAPE JUICE - Alcohol is a major expense in the wedding budget. Many brides these days are opting to go this route, not only because of the cost involved, but because they do not want their guests to get intoxicated.

  • DO A CASH BAR - If you opt for a bar, you can go this way and only host the non-alcoholic beverage for your guests. That way if they choose to drink too much, they are doing so on their own dime and people are less likely to drink in access if they are paying for their own drinks.

  • OFFER ONLY BEER AND WINE ON YOUR BAR - This won't necessarily keep guests from over drinking, but it will cost less.

  • OFFER A SPECIALTY DRINK - If beer and wine does not fit the bill for everyone, offer a specialty drink in addition to beer and wine, this will trim the wedding costs.

    • Save money on your wedding and see my unique beverage ideas -

  • HELP SAVE ON YOUR WEDDING COSTS, PURCHASE YOUR OWN ALCOHOL WHOLESALE OR AS CLOSE TO IT AS POSSIBLE - If you are having your wedding on a private beach and using your own caterer, this is a great money saving choice to help with your wedding budget. It will always be less expensive to purchase your own wedding alcohol. But remember, you must be cautious to make sure you purchase an adequate amount. Some places will allow you to return unused, unopened bottles, but ask ahead of time. Some caterers will even give you quantity information for alcohol if you are using them for your food catering. Don't be shy, ask! Also a good wedding coordinator will know the formula for figuring alcohol consumption.

  • HANDLE RENTALS YOURSELF AND SAVE ON YOUR WEDDING COSTS - If you rely on a resort where you are having your wedding or a planner, chances are they will add a percentage to the total as a handling fee. That percentage can really add up. Deal directly with the rental company to help trim your wedding costs.

  • FORGO THE CHAMPAGNE TOAST AND SAVE MONEY ON YOUR WEDDING - A great way to reduce wedding costs on your wedding! Believe me when I say, no one will miss it. Guests will toast with whatever they are drinking. Champagne toasts can run anywhere from $5.00 - $15.00 per person. It is completely appropriate to have champagne for either the whole wedding party or just the bride and groom. This option will save big money. Save the money for the honeymoon!

  • ASK YOUR CATERER ABOUT BEVERAGE CHARGES FOR THE UNDERAGE DRINKERS - If you are paying per person for beverages, make sure it does not include children.

  • ASK ABOUT CHILDREN'S MEALS - Young children are much happier with chicken fingers and fries or mac and cheese. It will cost at least half of your regular per person meal cost.

  • PROVIDE SPECIAL VENDOR MEALS - It is not necessary to serve the same dinner to your vendors as your guests are receiving. Vendors may include meals in their contracts as part of their compensation. Ask your caterer about providing box meals. Box meals work well because the vendors eat at different times and they are ready when they want to eat. This will also cost a fraction of the regular meal price.

  • HAVE YOUR WEDDING ON AN OFF-DAY - Many resorts or hotels and caterers will offer discounts or incentives for you to have your wedding on an off-day or in off-season.

    When I worked at a resort on the Gulf of Mexico as a wedding planner, I frequently offered a reduced rate for sleeping rooms and wedding celebrations as a way to bring in business to the resort during a slower time of the year.

    Remember to take into consideration that there is a reason it is considered "off" season. It may mean less then ideal weather conditions. So please be aware of the trade-off you are making when you are booking at those times in order to save money.

  • HAVE A MORNING WEDDING ON THE BEACH - You can definitely save money. A breakfast or brunch menu is going to be less expensive then an evening meal. Another plus to this is that guests tend to drink less at this time of the day. Mimosas, bloody mary's and champagne are good options for drinks.

  • ASK WHAT OTHER WEDDINGS ARE HAPPENING IN THE EVENING IF YOU ARE PLANNING A WEDDING EARLY IN THE DAY - Find out who the entertainment will be for the later wedding. You can often contact this entertainment company, person, band, DJ and get a sizable discount because they are already there and will not have to pack their equipment and go elsewhere for the second booking.

  • HAVE YOUR HORS D'OEUVRES HAND PASSED INSTEAD OF ON DISPLAY - You need a lot more food to put out on display then if you were to pass it butler style. Consider a shrimp display. People load their plates up with this high-cost item. By hand passing an item like this, you have control over how much and how fare it goes.
    • See my beach wedding food ideas

  • HAVE THE WAIT STAFF SERVE YOUR GUESTS MORE EXPENSIVE PROTEIN TYPE FOODS ON THE BUFFET - Foods such as beef tenderloin are an example. You will not run the risk of running out and guest can always come back for more later.

  • SHORTEN COCKTAIL HOUR TO 45 MINUTES INSTEAD OF AN HOUR - This will cut your beverage cost by 25% and help the wedding budget tremendously!

  • USE THE BARTER SYSTEM - If you want to save money on your wedding budget and you are in a profession where you can make a trade with a vendor, by all means ask to do so. Many are happy to do trades. I have had couples save thousands this way, it is a great way to lesson your wedding costs.

  • WATCH OUT FOR OVERTIME CHARGES - Read your vendor contracts in detail. Overtime charges can be significant. Try to negotiate them down before you sign on the dotted line.

  • CUT THE GUEST LIST - Reduce the size of your guest list by eliminating dates and children of friends, casual acquaintances and business associates.

  • HAVE YOUR BEACH WEDDING AT A PUBLIC BEACH,PRIVATE BEACH OR AT SOMEONES HOME - Avoid expensive resorts.

  • MAKE YOUR OWN WEDDING FAVORS - This will cut your wedding costs and it will be fun to get together with the girls in your wedding party or family members and have a wedding favor assembly party. It also personalizes your wedding celebration.

  • DO-IT-YOURSELF BEACH WEDDING DECOR - My best advice to doing things yourself in order to trim wedding costs is to enlist the help of others and allow plenty of extra time. If you hire someone to do it, that will relieve you of the task. But by decorating yourself, you will help the wedding budget.




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