Wedding Planning Made Reasonable

Let's face it, weddings are not cheap events in Melbourne. Everything you do to create your special day and make it unforgettable will cost you a small fortune if you let it. There are so many people to pay that it isn't even funny. There are wedding planners, photographers, the baker who creates that very special cake, the caterer who charges outrageously just to give you a choice between two items that you probably hate anyway. There is the hall to rent for the reception, the minister/ priest/ rabbi/ justice of the peace, or whomever, to pay for his or her services, and much more.

Working with a budget doesn't have to make you the pariah of social event planning. You just have to use a little more imagination than most. First of all, it's important to speak to the person conducting the ceremony, as there are likely rules to follow. If the wedding is held in a church, confetti might be forbidden. Or, decorating the pews might be against the rules. Knowing this in advance helps to make your preparations easier.

After you discover that you aren't allowed certain things, but you can have some tasteful sprays of flowers in the front of the church, you can, depending on the time of the year, ask a friend or family member with a flower garden if you might be able to pick some flowers. If you're good at making your own floral bouquets, do so. A little hands on work won't hurt you, and you might even enjoy the experience. If you don't have the talent, ask a friend or family member to do it for you. You'd be surprised at how many people will throw that in as a wedding gift for free.

Balloons, confetti, streamers, banners, noisemakers, and bubble blowing wands are all available at dollar stores, as well as colorful tablecloths, plastic plates, and cutlery. It doesn't have to cost a fortune or be gold-plated to get the job done. Table centerpieces are easy to produce from stuff purchased at the dollar store as well, you just need a little creativity, and a few buddies willing to help you put it all together.

The wedding dress is another story. Unless you like to sew and have much time on your hands or know someone willing to put in that talent and time, you will probably have to shell out some cash for the bridal gown. Fear not, as there are solutions to this problem as well. Just about anything is cheaper if purchased online, so start there and ask around for reliable websites that sell clothing at reasonable prices. Before giving out your credit card number, however, make certain that the site is free from hackers so your information isn't going just anywhere. The little HTTPS at the upper left of any website's URL will tell that story just fine. If that little ‘s' is missing, look somewhere else for your clothing needs.

It's often cheaper to order a prom dress, or a mother-of-the-bride dress, not something that is already labeled as a wedding gown. Just get the bride to pick out something she likes in her size, and choice of color and you've got it made. You will often discover that you get tremendous discounts just by avoiding anything actually designed for a bride. And then there's the groom. If he wants to simply wear a suit and tie, let him go for it. After all, it's his special day too. If he prefers the tuxedo, there are places to rent the items for a reasonable price, but you need to make sure you return them in the same condition you rented them in. Tuxedos can also be ordered online, so make sure the groom gets full measurements done before ordering.

And then there's a hall to rent. Alternatively, you can simply move the festivities outside, but make sure you get a full grip on the impending weather conditions as a good downpour can put the damper on a fun-filled day. If the weather fails to commiserate with your special day, move the party indoors if you have the room, or rent a tent for the day. It's probably still cheaper than renting a hall, and you don't have as many concerns about cleanup afterward.

Music for the wedding day doesn't have to involve booking a band or hiring a D.J. You can also make your own musical arrangements, burn them to CD or save them on your phone and play that music on your own stereo system throughout the party. Doing it your way on your day is becoming the new popular thing to do. Just organize a playlist of around a hundred songs or so, and let them run on their own while you dance and enjoy.

Wedding photography is so important and it's not cheap at all. Sometimes it can be handled by simply asking family members to take pictures with their own cameras and cell phones. Let Uncle John take a video while Aunt Eileen snaps candid shots of everyone looking all wonderful in their finery. However, a professional photographer can just do much more - make the day such relief, while capturing timeless moments and emotions. And most importantly, they will make sure you look absolutely divine in your amazing dress. Just have a look at the work of the best wedding photographers, such as Lavan Photography from Melbourne, Australia, and see how well they can effortlessly turn your wedding day into a keepsake of a beautiful story. Just shop around and try to get the best prices you can. There are dozens of photographers out there all competing for the same few events, so deals might be made along the way. Set up a ‘photo booth' in a pretty spot outside and have everyone pause in front of it throughout the event is also a great idea.

The same goes for catering. There are a lot of businesses out there that cater weddings and parties, so shop around for the best prices you can find. It's also great being a dedicated customer at that store to begin with, as it might get you lower prices for your party. Many times, stores will offer special deals if you order so much, or order certain items. Be aware of the store policies about catering and you will likely save money in the long run.

If you want to just keep it simple, you can also set up a barbecue grill outside and roast some beef, pork or even just hot dogs and hamburgers. Everyone loves a barbecue, so offering up a choice of proteins helps to make the party even more special. Make a large salad, have people bring a dish to pass. All of these things work together to make the day more affordable as well as unique to you.

Just remember that perfection isn't necessary. In fact, much of the day will forever become a blur in your mind anyway, as that is just the way of things. Something will inevitably go wrong, but don't let that bother you. Expect it, work around it, and deal with it. That's the key to a happy, affordable and winning wedding event.

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