Got a money saving tip you would like to share with everyone?  Submit your ideas to:

costcutters@buffalobride.com

The rest of us thank you!!

TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY

• Try a Friday Wedding.  Just about everything from reception facilities to wedding transportation is less expensive on a Friday.  It is estimated that you could save up to 20%.

• Consider a back yard wedding.  Outdoor weddings at home can be every bit as beautiful and memorable as a wedding in the finest banquet facility.  If you have the yard for it, give it some serious thought.

• Contact and reserve your wedding vendors well in advance. If you book your major wedding vendors early on, you have more time to change your mind and negotiate the best deal.

• Cut down on the number of bridesmaids and groomsmen.   Though it may be difficult to choose, you don't have to include all of your friends and family in the wedding party.  Fewer attendants means fewer bouquets, boutonnieres and gifts to buy.  It can even mean a smaller limo or fewer wedding day rental cars.

• Instead of a limo rent a number of luxury cars for the wedding party.  You can rent 4 Cadillac's for less than a typical limo, and you get to keep them for the whole day.

• Ask about alteration costs when purchasing your wedding gown. Hidden costs can make you feel cheated after you find out the truth about that "great deal".

• Have a cash bar.  Open bar at a reception can cost upwards of $18.00 a person.  A cash bar also cuts down on the number of, shall we say, exuberant guests.

• Serve Beer, champagne, and wine only.   Some reception facilities charge as much as $50.00 a bottle for hard liquor.

• Use candles to decorate your reception site. Candles set an elegant tone and will allow you to cut down on flowers and other more expensive decorations.

• Use loosely arranged, hand-tied flower bouquets.   These are much less expensive than labor intensive, wired bouquets.  You can also use ribbons rather than cascading greenery in your bouquets.

• Have someone transport your ceremony flowers to the reception site. These can be used in front of the head table or to decorate buffet stations or other areas.

• Don't overestimate your guest count. When your caterer and / or reception facility asks for a minimum guest count, estimate conservatively. You don't want to wind up paying for 175 guests if only 150 show up.

• Check the classified ads for a wedding dress.  Certainly most brides will want their own gown, but if you are under serious financial constraints you should really consider this.

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