Wedding Budget Dont Miss These Things
Wait a minute. Have you missed anything? Give your budget a once over to make sure you haven't missed these things. After all, it all adds up!
1) Invitation cards
Without these no one's coming to your wedding. So you had better budget for the cards as well as the gift (if any) that you will be giving to each invitee. If you have plenty of relatives staying abroad, you'll also have postage charges to take care of.
Cheaper option: Don't go for elaborate wedding cards with photo collages and the works. Something simple and elegant will do. Also ditch RSVP cards. You can have your guests RSVP by telephone or email. About the gift, your guests will be getting favours at the wedding; remember?
2) Gifts & Favours
It's your wedding but you'll be doing a lot of gifting too. Depending on your family tradition, you'll have to budget for gifts to all his immediate family members, the women in your family, and/or bridesmaids. And let's not forget favours for every guest at the wedding!
Cheaper option: You don't have to gift everyone a Rs 5,000 sari. Figure out a budget for each person depending on how close they are to you. Distant cousins, for instance, could get cheaper gifts. As for favours, don't go overboard. Most people usually chuck them in the trash anyway. A box of chocolates or a scented candle should work just fine.
3) Rings
You've been flaunting that rock ever since he proposed and you're thrilled about it but on your wedding day, he's going to slip another ring on your finger. Just make sure you've budgeted for that. P.S. The court marriage is also a whole extra cost!
Cheaper option: There isn't any. You and your hubby-to-be deserve the best :)
4) Music/ Photographer & Videographer
Very often, reception venues that offer package deals don't include music and sound. Of course, if you ask the manager, he'd be glad to provide you with a DJ or a band at "an extra cost." That's why it's important to budget right for this too. And then there's the photographer and videographer that they might not be able to provide you with.
Cheaper option: A DJ requires a mixer and speakers and he's good to go. On the other hand, a band involves a set of highly skilled musicians (who won't settle for peanuts), their musical instruments and mikes, a separate stage area and the speakers! You don't need us to tell you which will cost more! As for the photography and videography, feel free to ask around in your friends' circle. With photography considered such a cool profession today, you're bound to find a good photographer who'll capture your wedding for you at a superb cost!
5) Transportation
How do you intend to make it to the ceremony? You need a wedding car! And no bride drives to her own wedding, so you're going to need a driver too! Apart from that, you will have to arrange for a guest shuttle between the ceremony and the reception venue as well as parking attendants to assist your guests.
Cheaper option: Instead of hiring a car for Rs 2000 or more for just a few hours, why not ask a relative to lend you his car and driver? Forget the Merc or Bentley. Just a chic Honda or the likes will do. Then order for flowers and have your friends decorate the wedding car!
Cut those wedding costs!
- Forget the open bar. One round of wine for all the guests is perfect for a wedding celebration. You won't need to pay for a liquor permit and you won't have that (ahem) alcoholic uncle getting drunk either.
- Don't feel compelled to include every long lost pal in your bridal entourage. After all, on your wedding day you want to be surrounded by those who love you most. Pick your closest gal pal to be your bridesmaid and let your fiancé chose his best man the same way!
- Who ever watches long wedding videos, anyway? Tell your videographer that you want a short, fun video (say 45 minutes long). This way he won't waste tons of tape recording the entire ceremony and reception and charge you big bucks for it.
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