Cheap Wedding Ideas - Low Cost Wedding Idea

Budget Wedding Transportation

Unfortunately, transportation to the church and the reception hall is one of the most overlooked parts of a wedding. As a result, last minute plans often include expensive services – or none at all. If you want to have the wedding of your dreams at a price you can afford, it’s important to allow enough time to make arrangements with a transport service.

The Limousine

For the most part, you’ll need to rent limousines from a special service. Typically, these services include a driver and a number of other amenities in the rental price. You’ll want at least one limousine for the bride, and possibly another for the groom on the way to the church, depending on where you’re getting ready. Once the services are over, you may want to have just one limousine to transport the bridal party to the reception site.

This service can be expensive, but there are a number of ways to save on your limousine rental. Of course, it’s important to look for coupons and other discounts. You may also earn a discount by referring additional business to the limousine service. Perhaps you have friends who will also be married soon, or relatives who will be celebrating a major anniversary? If you can get them to reserve limousine services through the same company, they’ll likely add a discount to your rental fees.

Other Rental Agencies

Don’t be limited by limousines – you can also rent vehicles for your wedding from a variety of auto rental agencies. Check with local auto dealers to make arrangements to use showroom models or call car rental agencies to see if they offer any luxury models. If your wedding party is small, you may be able to transport them in one car – just be sure to arrange for a driver. Most auto rentals won’t provide one, and you may not be able to drive in your dress!

Interestingly enough, some taxi services also have limousines and luxury cars available. That said, you may have to call several of them before you find one that can help you out. It may also be useful to call your local airlines, and see if they know of any car rental services that you can use. In some cases, the airport may have limousines available as part of their shuttle service for celebrities clients, or others that are willing to pay for them.

Alternative Cars

In addition to rides to the church, you may want to provide transportation from the ceremony site to the reception hall or between the hall and local hotels if you’ll be serving alcohol at your reception. Try calling local bus services to see if they have shuttle busses available for rent, or try to find a classic car club in your area. The members of these groups may be happy to act as a shuttle service in exchange for the opportunity to show off their hobby cars.

As you consider how you’ll get to the church and reception hall, you may find that economical options are limited. The cost of gas and rental fees can be high enough to make you seriously consider using smaller cars, or even letting people drive their own. That said, if you have your heart set on limousine service, or some other type of luxury car, leave extra time to investigate all your different options and to wait for special deals and incentives to come up.

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Filed under: Transportation — vicky at 8:06 pm on Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Budget Wedding Music

Even if you can’t afford to hire a live string orchestra for your wedding, you’ll still want to have some music playing during your wedding reception. Regardless of whether you want to enjoy dance music or more formal pieces, hiring a DJ or obtaining your own sound mixers, amplifiers and other equipment can be expensive. That said, there are a number of resources you can use to save money on your entertainment.

Hiring Musicians

Depending on where you’re having the wedding reception, you may be able to pay for the services of in-house musicians. In some cases, local restaurants may have existing contracts with musicians in your area that you can hire. If you choose a large enough hotel, they might also offer these services. You can also check to see if any local musicians or bands regularly play at weddings – although if you choose this path, it’s important to interview these groups to make sure they can play the kind of music you’re looking for.

Music Students and Clubs

Chances are, your local high schools and colleges have students taking music classes that may be willing to perform at your wedding. If you want traditional orchestra music, this may be the most affordable option. Just be aware of the limitations of student performers – don’t expect professional quality if you hire high school students to perform. You may also want to include some pre-recorded music in your plans so that you have a variety of musical arrangements available.

Radio DJs

In many cases, you’ll find that radio DJ’s own the necessary equipment to play at your wedding. In addition, they’ll also know how to manage speakers and amplifiers, and how to select appropriate music tracks. If colleges in your area have radio stations, you may also want to ask if any of the student DJ’s will manage your wedding reception music. As with all of these options, you’ll need to compare how much they’ll charge with whether or not they can produce the level of quality that you’re looking for.

Pre-Recorded Music

Today, many couples rely on pre-recorded music for their wedding needs. While this isn’t necessarily a negative thing, it’s crucial to have the appropriate equipment that will produce quality sound. Ask local DJs what type of amplifiers and other equipment they use and then do some research on what models and brands are recommended. You may find that it’s cheaper to purchase your own equipment than to hire a musician or DJ – plus you can sell the equipment later to recoup some of your costs. However, if you decide to use this option, be sure you have someone on hand to handle the sound system while you’re busy with other wedding events.

Without question, music plays an enormous role in separating poorly planned weddings from beautiful ones, so take the time to select individuals and equipment that provide the quality you’re looking for. If financial concerns are an issue, do your research – there are plenty of low cost music options available that will make your wedding magical.

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Filed under: Receptions — vicky at 8:05 pm on Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Budget Wedding Tips for the Groom

While most wedding guides focus on money-saving suggestions from the bride’s point of view, a groom also has a number of expenses that can easily get out of hand. Depending on how involved you are with the wedding plans, this can include a wide range of items from rings to tuxedoes to gifts for your groomsmen. That said, when cutting expenses, there are some things that are you should focus on more than others. In many cases, you’ll find that the conventional answers are already the most economical ones!

Wedding Rings

The wedding band is one piece of jewelry that you’ll want your fiancé to treasure for the rest of her life. Therefore, it’s not unreasonable to choose a ring based on quality and workmanship as opposed to cost. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to go out and choose the most expensive ring you can find. If you shop around, you should be able to find a ring that’s well made and a good value for your money.

In some cases, you may have acquired your fiancé’s engagement ring as part of a family tradition. If you need to locate a matching wedding band, try antique shops or other sources of second hand jewelry. These stores often have a wide range of jewelry available for much less than standard retail stores. However, if you find a good deal, you may also want to look at new wedding bands to see if one will match the engagement ring.

If you purchased your own engagement ring, you may have also had an opportunity to purchase a matching wedding ring. In some cases, buying the two rings together can save you money. You may also get a good deal if you purchase both of your rings together, so look for these matched sets in traditional jewelry stores. You can also look online for clearance items – just be sure to read the description and terms carefully before you pay.

Tuxedos

Typically, most men rent their wedding tuxedos instead of going out and buying a new one. You may also be able to save money by renting a regular suit, instead of a complete tuxedo. Of course, if your fiancé is planning a formal wedding, you may not be able to go this route. Keep an eye out for coupons or sales at tuxedo rentals in your area, and look for shops that offer discount for multiple rentals. If you rent suits for all your groomsmen from the same place, you may be eligible for a significant discount.

Hair Styling and Grooming

You’ll want to look your very best on your wedding day, so don’t forget to budget for a professional cut or trim. Ask your usual barber shop if they have any suggestions for your wedding – remember, you’ll be preserving this day for years in photo albums, so don’t worry about spending a little extra for a more flattering cut or color. In addition, if you have a beard or mustache, you may want to have them professionally trimmed before the big day.

Even though some grooms have little to do with planning the wedding, there are still expenses that you’ll need to consider. With some wedding day items, you may find that rentals and second hand items are your best options – especially when you’re on a tight budget. However, considering this is your special day, there are a few areas where you may want to spend a bit more to ensure that everything’s perfect.