Chic Weddings on a Budget
When I was chatting with owner of Lulu Events, Angela Nelson, she mentioned that there are so many great ways to create a super stylish wedding while working on a budget…just like she did while designing today’s featured wedding.
Angela is a premier planner in the Bay Area, one that brides looking to plan a truly memorable affair look to for her sense of taste and style. So, of course, I jumped on the chance to have her share some of those tips with us!
Without further ado, here are Angela of Lulu Events cost cutting tips…
1. Personalize, Personalize, Personalize – by creating a theme or sticking to a cohesive look you can make a wedding or event look very sophisticated with just a few ideas that guests will always remember. Prioritize what is important and spend the money there.
2. Identify your color palette and stick to it. Remember you always need an accent color. One main color and 2 accent colors are ideal.
3. Party Rentals – by selecting a colored or textured linen you get more bang for your buck than spending money on lots of colorful flowers on a white table cloth. The linen color will transform the space immediately and set the tone for your wedding reception.
4. Choose flowers that are in season and go for a monochromatic look, buying flowers in bulk is less expensive than buying many different types of flowers and my favorite trick is to incorporate fruit in to the centerpieces!
5. Choose a live musician for the ceremony and cocktail hour but nix the band and stick to a dj for the reception. It will save thousands of dollars. Just make sure to choose a play list that reflects the mood of the event and personality of the couple.
6. By booking a wedding venue off season or on Fridays /Sundays – wedding venues and vendors will likely give you discounts so you can save your money for a honeymoon splurge!
7. Consider hiring a wedding planner – we really are experts and our tips & ideas can save you time, money and get you discounts with vendors.
8. Select one signature cocktail for the cocktail hour such as a Bellini or Kir Royale that will be passed by the waiters and offer wine and beer only the rest of the evening. You will be amazed at the cost savings!
9. Minimize the guest list- do you really need to invite that neighbor that you pass thru the hall or your second cousin Vinny that lives across the country?
10. Skip the wedding favors (do we really need to see another Godiva chocolate at the place setting?), instead spend the money on a signature cocktail or a favor the guest will use during the course of the evening like a black and white photo booth!
11. Never ever try to skimp on a photographer- a talented photographer will capture memories that will last a lifetime!
Thank you so very much to Angela for sharing these brilliant ideas. And to Ingrid of Myrtle and Marjoram for sharing these beautiful images. And of course, to Julia and Brian for sharing their absolutely lovely day with us.
Thank you so much for these tips! I just got engaged over the holidays and plan to keep my budget tight. These tips are fresh and new! Great! :)
You know as a bride to be on a budget it can be extra effort when you can't just throw money at the situation, flowers, venue, decorations etc. And I have to admit that I was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed / frustrated... but your post has given me a new lease of life on it all. Thank you! I will now be hiring colour table runners to spice up the reception venue.
Very cute pictures! I especially love the flowers! And thanks for the fun tidbits on how to save money! This couple did an amazing job!
I just posted some pictures that I took for a friend and her fiance. Come check them out when you get a chance! :)
I love the black and yellow! I would have never imagined those colors would blend well, but they do. I'm very impressed with that color combination.
so cute. who did the bride's dress? it's so lovely.
Great tips, and absolutely GORGEOUS flowers! I'm bookmarking these in my flower folder immediately.
Great ideas!! The band one is an idea I don't think many people think of. Also choosing seasonal and local flowers is a a great tip! Keep 'em coming!
These tips are right on point! One other thing is to make sure your cake or cupcakes taste as good as they look. If it doesn't taste good, you've just thrown money away on something your guests will not eat.
Great tips! A photobooth is something that I really want for my wedding - something fun and my guests (and me!) will surely enjoy. Unfortunately, it is NOT cheap (at least in my area). There are other favors out there that are more practical and cheaper.
Seriously Great tips!
I obviously love tip #11 (biased :)
But all the others were awesome!
I'm glad someone referred this site to me.
It makes me want to send all these perspective brides this way so they can get tons of ideas to make their wedding day and the venues look beautiful. That makes my job a lot more fun and easier I suppose.
This planner sounds like they know what they're talking about, she makes interesting points I've never thought about... like how a planner could actually perhaps help save money. Anyway people like her would be awesome to work with.
Beautiful tips for brides on a budget! I love the lemons with stephanotis as an inexpensive centerpiece.
Kristy
Remember Something Blue
http://remembersomethingblue.blogspot.com
beautiful, beautiful wedding - yellow and black is fast becoming my favorite color palette. the cupcake tower is exquisite and way too gorgeous to eat... the table centerpiece of lemons is so stylish and so easy to do - what an impact it makes! her bridal bouquet and his boutonnierre are spot and so elegant. thx for sharing!
Great tips! I LOVE the yellow white and black color scheme. I wouldn't have thought that one up even though it is so obvious! The cupcake wedding cake presentation is awesome.. And I LOVE the lemon centerpieces.
Thanks for the tips. We do small weddings here at our B&B and these tips come in handy.
Great article. See http://www.creative-theme-wedding-ideas.com " rel="nofollow">www.creative-theme-wedding-ideas.com />
for other theme wedding ideas
I wholeheartedly agree with #9. Scaling back the guest list is one of the best ways to have a 'wow' wedding for less wallet!
Another way to scale back costs is to use Etsy Alchemy from Etsy.com. You can have everything from invitations to veils and headpieces custom made for you for great prices. You name your price and people bid on your projects. Very cool! You can find more cost cutting tips at http://www.intimateweddings.com
I love the color palette! The freshness of yellow combined with the sophistication of black creates quite a powerful impact. Beautiful. The Bride's bouquet is stunning. Great tips by Angela.
Cherie
A Beautiful Touch
http://www.abeautifultouch.blogspot.com
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