Plan a Fabulous Party on a Modest Budget

Today, an average wedding can cost around $26,000, and for many, that amount of money can break the bank. So, what do you do when you want to have a beautiful wedding reception without burning a hole in your pocket? Use some of our reception alternatives to save money, while capturing the magic of your special day.

Rent a tent and have a backyard wedding.
Reception halls and private parks can be very expensive, so renting a tent can be a price-effective way to have a nice outdoor reception. Plus, it can be a very personal way to gather your family and friends, and a tent accommodates all weather situations. You can find a large wedding tent for about $650.00 online.

Have your reception in a public park.
An outdoor reception gives you the ability to have as many guests as you’d like, versus having to limit your guests in a hall. Having a picnic-like reception at a public park is a free, fun, casual way to celebrate your day. Just make sure that you check with the Park & Recreation department in your area, to make sure it’s okay.

Have a public beach party reception.
If you’re getting married in the summer, try having your reception at the beach. More and more people and throwing informal beach bashes as a way to save money and liven up the traditional wedding reception.

Do your own cooking.
Caterers can be one of the pricier parts of a reception, so ask a few friends if they’d work for a small fee and night of fun at the reception. A day or two before the wedding, prepare lots of the food by chopping the vegetables, getting all the ingredients and laying out the recipes. You can wow your guests with your fun, DIY wedding cuisine!

Flowers.
Everyone has a favorite flower they’d like at their wedding, but the average cost of flowers range from $800 to $1000.  So, discuss with your florist using only in-season flowers, which will save you the cost of the rare, exotic, out of season flowers.

Centerpieces.
Instead of having lavish centerpieces, save money and go minimalist with nice, sensible candles as your centerpieces. They are tasteful and can be a cost effective way to have an elegant look at your wedding.

Liquor.
Eliminating an open bar can save you a tremendous amount of money. If you want to have some liquor, serve a minimal amount, such as just champagne or just beer and wine. This gives your guests the option to drink without having to spend the money for hard liquor!

Music.
Hiring a DJ or band for your reception can cost lots of money, but if you’re having a very low-key wedding, a nice alternative is using a stereo system or an iPod.  Rummage through your CD collection and make a wedding playlist. Put someone in charge of the music, and you and your guests will be dancing the night away with no worries about the cost!

Wedding favors.
It’s very nice to have a parting gift for your guests at your wedding, but the cost of wedding favors can rack up, depending on what you want to give your guests. One smart way to save money is by making your own favors such as baked goods, or miniature frames holding the seating
arrangements, which can later be filled with pictures of your big day!

Once you’re confident that you can pay for you wedding, you’ll be really ready to enjoy it!