So, I attended an amazing wedding last month…. YES the bridesmaids were wearing mustaches, YES I was the M.C, NO I did not have a date, and YES I have found some great ways to cut some of the major wedding costs! Click “more” to continue…

I’m currently 26 years old. For all of you fellow 26ers out there, you know what this age means. It means ‘reality check’ - big time! It’s the age when we can officially start saying that we are in our “late 20’s” and also a time when we are supposed to start getting our (as they say) “shit together.” For many of us, a large part of getting your “shit together” is finding a significant other to share your life with. Although, personally, this seems to be a far off concept, (read: heavily single), many friends and family are hitting this phase full throttle. As such, I am finding that there seems to be many a upcoming weddings in my near future. (NOTE: More photos at the bottom)

Please don’t get me wrong on this, I actually LOVE weddings. I love meeting people’s parents, hearing embarrassing stories about their supposed “rebellious” years and getting emotional over the pure, sappy, beauty of love. That’s just me though. All that being said, my issue is the bloody costs that are involved. Whether YOU’RE planning the wedding, or you are merely a guest, things can get seriously costly.

Recently two of my very best friends in the world got married. They are one of those perfect couples that everyone supports, loves, and maybe even envies. They are hilarious, kind-hearted, gorgeous and of course they both love each other like mad-crazy. It really is a beautiful thing. This wedding gave me a first-hand look at how insane wedding planning can be and how easy it is for hidden expenses to sneak up on you.

So, for those of you who are thinking about tying the knot, I have put together some helpful tips to help avoid spending your entire life savings on a single day.

Tips for the Bride & Groom

Saturdays Are Overrated: Saturday weddings have typically been the standard, but nowadays this is not the case. Its 2009 people! Instead, suck it up and have your wedding on a Friday or a Sunday and you will see a massive cut in the price of the venue. I’m talking literally half of the price!

Consider Going South: I’m a huge fan of doing an all inclusive wedding vacation. The obvious downfall is that not everyone will be able to afford to make the trek to a steamy-sexy wedding destination. But in the end, I feel like you are going to end up spending the same amount of money on a one day wedding at a hall. So scratch the local hall and instead put the money towards a magical, memorable week-long adventure at a beautiful warm destination! A wedding and a vacation in one!

Surprise Honeymoon: Book the time off work and pack up your bags for a honeymoon like usual - But, wing it! Go to the airport and find a last minute seat sale and let the deals decide where you are going to end up. You will save HUGE amounts of cash by just letting fate take its course. How fun is that right?

Make Use of Talented Friends: Whether your friend is an awesome DJ, you know a wicked photographer who would give you a deal, or you know someone who is a makeup pro, don’t be afraid to let friends and family take the reins and show off their talent(s)! This not only saves you money but also makes the whole experience more personal.

Consider a Cocktail Party: One of the hottest wedding trends this season is getting rid of the entire idea of a big dinner. Instead, have the wedding a little later on in the evening, go with a nighttime theme, and stick to cocktails and appetizers. Swanky fun!

Be Creative: At the end of the day, this is YOUR special celebration. Don’t let other peoples expectations decide how you are going to live out your special day. Be creative with your center pieces and guest gifts. Anything from personalized matches to homemade chocolates can be just as nice as the expensive alternatives. What about leaving a disposable camera on each table to see what kind of scandalous pictures pop up?! These types of things can make the night a fun and unique day to remember for everyone!

Here is a sneak peak at the beautiful Sara & Chris Stoness wedding from the lens of the amazing photographer Brendan Smyth (Yes he was a friend who gave them a great deal). Enjoy!

Makes Cents (7)

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 19th, 2009 at 1:12 pm and is filed under Going Out, Living. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Tags: Andrea Guernsey, Budget, Marriage, Party, Screw You Recession, Virgin Mobile, Wedding