To Pay or Not to Pay?

Increasingly couples are asking the question: Should they pay to have a wedding planner?

It's a valid concern...and one that has many implications. Wedding planners can certainly save couples time and energy. For busy couples who don't have the time or attention needed to work out details, the wedding planner can be a godsend. But planners also cost money, or a percentage of the total wedding costs, and so couples who have a fixed wedding budget can often find that a planner is too expensive.

However, there are alternatives.

Consider these options:

Have a family member or good friend serve as the planner and give this person the stickiest details (the ones you don't want to worry with). A trusted friend can do the work and make the wedding easier.

Or, find a wedding planner who will actually save you money by keeping you on budget. Give the wedding planner your total budget and say, "This is what we have to work with. It's our total budget. So you make the wedding happen on this amount and make the tough decisions for us."

Cookbook

Do you need some extra cash for the wedding? Need a quick way to make a few extra bucks?

How about burning your own recipes onto a dozen CDs and selling them for $10 each? That's a cool hundred in just a few minutes of work and you probably have a dozen friends who enjoy your cooking and would love to take one off your hands.

Brides looking to have a debt free wedding should also create some quick and easy ways to fund their special day.

Why the Long Tux?

Increasingly I note that wedding parties are foregoing the traditional black tux for a more "informal" look of the black suit and necktie. And why knot (not)? After all, since the average wedding now costs more than $10,000, couples can save money by not renting the tuxes and accessories.

As one groom put it recently, "What's wrong with a black suit?" Saves money, time, and a lot of heartache. I've known more than one couple who had to pay for an extra day or two or rental because they couldn't get the tuxes back within the 24-hour rental period.

Really . . . why the long tux?

Saving for the Wedding

Want three quick tips for setting aside some fast money for your wedding plans? Try these:

1. Skip the coffee and latte purchases for a year. Make your own. Savings annually: $750
2. Don't purchase a drink when you eat out (only drink water). Annual savings: $150 or more.
3. When you fix a meal at home, make a bit extra and eat these leftovers the next day. Savings annually: $2000 or more for a family of four ($1000 for a couple).

So there you have it...a quick way to save nearly $2000 a year for your wedding budget.

Win a Wedding

Have you ever considered trying to pay for you wedding by winning a freebie? Are you and your fiance the type of people who would do well in front of the camera? If so, why not apply to any number of opportunities to win a free wedding, free reception, or free honeymoon?

There are dozens of television shows, radio shows, and businesses that give weddings and trips away all the time as promotional opportunities.

Only drawback? You have to be willing, in most cases, to appear in public, allow cameras into the special day, and/or make appearances on behalf of the sponsoring organization. Otherwise, enjoy the all-expenses-paid extravaganza.

Rehearsal Dinner

Want to save som,e dough on the rehearsal dinner? How about not having a wedding rehearsal at all. Check with the officiant (pastor, priest, etc.). You may not need one.

Okay, but if you do, why not have the rehearsal earlier in the afternoon and do a lunch before? Or, how about later at night and just go out for appetizers and drinks? Or, if you really must, bring in some catered sandwiches and salads and eat at a local park if its warm. No rule that says you must spend big bucks on a rehearsal dinner.

Many people, and their waistlines, will thank you.

Sharing Wedding Costs

How's this for a most unique solution to wedding costs: a few weeks ago I read about some good friends who decided they would each share items for their respective weddings. Each Bride used various items in her wedding, and then they passed those items along to the next Bride for her wedding. Cost savings--tremendous. Creativity--astounding.

Think of it: whom do you know who would be willing to share wedding items/costs for the wedding. Prime items for consideration might be--candles (so what if they are slightly used?), music CDs, table centerpieces, and decorations.

Wow, if you put your mind to work, I'm sure you can think of numerous items that can be shared in this way...thereby lowering the total cost.