3 O’Clock Wedding

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You are probably wondering where to start with your wedding arrangements.  There is so much to do, it can be overwhelming.  Do not worry though.   

Good planning and organization are essential, you need a checklist!  You also need to keep all quotes, receipts and any other paperwork connected to your wedding in the same place.  It may even be an idea to invest in a cheap folder to help you organize all your paperwork. 

You need to decide who will pay for the wedding.  The typical wedding planner dictates that the bride’s parents pay for the wedding.  In reality, these days that is not always the case. 

If you are planning a traditional wedding, the first decisions that need to be made are the date, the attendants, the wedding venue and the wedding reception venue.  Out of all of these, probably the most important decision to be made is the date.

Traditionally, couples tie the knot on a Saturday.  If you really want to save some cash, you could consider having your ceremony on a Thursday or a Friday.  Or how about having a Sunday service on a holiday weekend?  You will find that there are many more dates available on these days and you will ultimately make more savings by booking your wedding on these less traditional days.  Many reception locations will offer a discount for an off day.  If they do not offer you one, ask for one.

Also, you may want to consider an early marriage and an early reception.  An 11am marriage with a reception immediately following can realize great savings as most guests will have already had lunch before your ceremony and the reception will most likely be over by dinner, so all you will have to provide is some light buffet food in order to tide over those rumbling tummies!

Additional savings may be realized by having your wedding in the months of November through to April.  These months are less busy for most wedding related services and locations.  Again, ask for a discount for being off-season.

You need to decide how many attendants you are going to have so that you can bestow the honor on them early enough!  They can then save the date and help you plan!  Traditionally, the bridesmaids are responsible for their own wedding attire but the bride normally has the final say on what they wear.  Be mindful of your attendants’ financial situation, do not choose that $500 satin chiffon number.  Remember, you are trying to throw a wedding on a budget.  Allow them to save some cash as well! 

When you have decided on a wedding date, you need to decide on a wedding venue.  Are you going to get married in a church, at a registry office or somewhere else?  Wherever you decide on, you will need to get it booked quickly as wedding venues often get booked up years in advance. 

The same applies to wedding reception venues.  If you are going to opt for a traditional reception hall, it would be wise to book early to ensure that you get the venue of your choice and avoid disappointment. 

If you or someone in your family is the member of a benevolent association such as the Elks, the Moose or the American Legion, consider these as viable options.  They often give discounts to members and you will probably have access to a huge area for your wedding reception.  Again, just remember to book early!

You could also look for a free wedding reception venue such as a friend’s home, a church’s reception hall or even the local fire department’s reception hall!  You could look into having your wedding reception in the local park, art gallery or even in your own home.

Next on your planning schedule should be drawing up the guest list so that you know what sort of numbers you are dealing with for budgeting purposes.

Forward planning is the key to arranging an amazing wedding day on a budget so get organized!

This is an extract from our eBook ‘Planning The Perfect Wedding On a Shoestring Budget’, it’s packed with ideas to help you plan your perfect wedding without having to remortgage your house! If you would like to download our eBook, please click here.