Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine September 2017 | Page 23

Tips & Tricks For Budget Weddings
When planning your wedding on a budget, it’s important to do just
that: plan. Plan ahead and ask yourself what are your priorities. The
more prepared you go into it, the more time you’ll have to scout
discounts and negotiate. Know the average cost of wedding
expenses. Before you even begin to outline your budget, it’s crucial
to understand the price of wedding musts, such as invitations,
food, and music. A realistic approach to your wedding budget will
save you a great deal of time and stress. Here are some ideas on
how to make your budget wedding work for you:
1. GUEST LIST. First things first: who’s invited? Your guest list is a
driving factor in your wedding budget. It will determine things
like whether or not that all-inclusive venue is best suited for you,
or if you can afford those appetizers.We recommend two
rounds of elimination. Start with a full list of guests, then cut it
down once, and a second time. Once you’ve finalized this list,
consider using e-vites. An electronic invitation can not only be
completely free for you, but it’s also an opportunity to get
creative. If there are any wedding updates, going electronic can
be a great way to notify guests of any changes.
2. CHOOSE YOUR DATE. Choosing a date for your wedding might
be simple once you decide what season you’d like to have your
wedding. You might want a Saturday afternoon or evening: the
most popular times for a wedding. However, you may want to
consider having a weeknight wedding—even a Sunday or morning
wedding! Venues and reception halls are more likely to offer more
deals and discounts for a Thursday wedding versus a Saturday. It
could work out perfectly for all you breakfast lovers! Ask the venue
and be open to alternative dates. In Texas, the average cost for
food is about $65 per person. Choosing an unconventional date
can also mean big savings on your food menu. Give it a try!
3. TO DIY OR NOT TO DIY. We know that Pinterest is the source of
inspiration for most weddings. If you’re truly feeling creative you
might try those DIY invitations or decorations, but it’s important to
By: Rachel Hernandez 
Avenida Brazil | Private Events & Marketing
assess the costs of DIY projects—including your time
and effort. There’s nothing wrong with a little
creativity in your wedding, just make sure it’s worth
your time. If you decide to DIY, be sure to wait for
those craft store sales. Another resource might be to
repurpose wedding decorations, even flowers!
There are internet and social media resources worth
checking out for brides to purchase wedding
decorations from other brides at a low and
reasonable price. The most elegant cost-effective
way to dress up your table and light up your
wedding is by using candles, an elegant napkin, and
a customized printout menu.
4. ADULT BEVERAGES. Alcohol expenses average
at about $3000 per wedding. If you know your
guests are not big on alcohol, opt for an a la carte
bar. Doing so can save you from paying a flat fee for
alcohol, and pay only for the actual consumption at
your reception. Additionally, you can limit your bar
menu to beer, wine, and perhaps one or two
signature cocktails.
Remember to evaluate which elements of a
wedding are the most important to you. It is
possible to make your dream wedding come true
on a budget. If something goes wrong, it’s
important to remain calm and assess the situation.
Reach out to friends or relatives for ideas on
solutions to last minute obstacles. If you plan as
much as possible ahead of time, you will thank
yourself later!
MOMENTUM / September 2017
22