 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| WELCOME to The PERFECT IMAGE NEWSLETTER Issue No 8 August 2001 |
| CONTENTS Budgeting for your Wedding Cutting Costs |
| Your wedding day should be one of the most exciting days of your life. It can also be one of the most expensive .. if you let it! When it comes to your wedding though, there is no right and wrong. This Newsletter will cover a few ideas for cost-cutting. Make sure what you want, fits in with your budget. No one will know you have cut costs for your wedding day, unless YOU tell them --- so sshhh it's a secret! |
 |
 |
| Strike a balance between the style and size of the wedding. Keep guest list to a minimum. You can always invite friends to a party afterwards. Consider being married during the week, or in the evening, for a cheaper venue cost. Use creativity to create a wonderful wedding on a budget. |
| The Wedding Gown can burn a very large hole in your budget so why not think about creating your own gown, maybe with the help of your mum, your sisters or a trusted friend. Simple styles cost less and use less fabric. Look to self-embossed lingerie silk instead of self-embossed satin. This type of fabric does away with the need to spend on expensive beading and sequins. |
| Look to styles that can be worn again on other special occasions. Remember that if you, or family members make your gown, you can get a style you really want, by having the skirt of this, the neck of that, the sleeve style from yet another pattern. Make the frock up in the lining first so you can see the result -- soft lawn or lining-taffeta are inexpensive linings. The more fabric the style you want, uses, then the more expensive the dress will be. |
|
| Depending on the formality of your day, a Pants Suit, or a Stylish Suit are also options. |
 |
 |
| Bridesmaids, mothers of bride and groom, and other female attendants can all have home-made gowns too - it really does cut the costs down. Hire your gowns. Buy gowns from 2nd-hand or pre-loved shops and add your own special touches, by way of some new beading, lace, or ribbon if you need to. |
 |
 |
| Make your own veil, but be careful to take some wedding-gown fabric to the store, when choosing your tulle to get a matching "white". The veiling can be gathered into a headpiece or comb with silk flowers and pearls added, and be very effective. Attendants can wear white or black/navy shoes depending on dress colour, and not have the added cost of dyeing shoes to match their gowns. |
| Choose flowers that are not so expensive for your bouquets. Make up your own corsages, bouquets and arrangements ahead of time, using silk flowers and nice ribbon, some tulle, or lace. Decorate ceremony and reception venues with cut flowers and some greenery or just decorate with cheaper net and ribbons. |
| Do you really need a going-away outfit? You can save money by leaving the reception in your wedding gown .... gone are the days when these outfits were needed, with matching hat, gloves, handbag, etc. If you are on a budget and would rather use the money towards your new home, then do away with a going-away outfit. If the style of your gown/outfit allows, perhaps take off the veil, and "go away" with a lovely shawl across the shoulders ... that would change the look for you. When it comes to favours - just have some store paper-wrapped sweets or few chocolates wrapped in cellophane or cheaper soft fabric (lawn/calico/taffeta) and tied with thin satin ribbon (bought cheaply in rolls). Perhaps tie your place card to this, with a nicely worded thankyou. |
| A check list of a few ideas for cost-cutting for your special day * Buy a pre-loved wedding gown from a consignment shop or 2nd-hand clothing store. * Have your gown made from less expensive fabric * Borrow a gown, shoes, accessories * Ask a menswear store if they will provide the groom's suit free or discounted, with other orders. * Hold the ceremony or reception at your family's or a friend's home. * Limit the guest list * A morning or afternoon reception often is less expensive than evening and if you can marry on a day other than Saturday or Sunday, you may be able to save a bundle. * Serve finger food rather than lunch or dinner at the reception and limit alcoholic beverages. * Prepare food yourself or with help from family or friends * Borrow items like punch bowls and coffee pots rather than renting or use paper plates and plastic cups instead of renting china or glasswear. * Have friends tend the bar and help with set-up and clean-up. * Cooking schools (like tertiary colleges) may be willing to prepare fancy food at low cost. * Use seasonal, local, cut flowers rather than expensive imports. * Have talented friends do floral arrangements or provide music. * Hire a professional photographer for formal pictures and let friends shoot reception candids. |
| ENJOY YOUR DAY |
| Page made 9 August 2001 |