This is the wedding season September all through December, in East Africa i would say, and weddings bring so much joy!! However ,weddings can be expensive affairs if not thought out well through.
Many people think hiring a wedding planner is just an expense or yet they think its for anyone with huge budgets...on the contrary, a wedding planner is so important as he/she does all the running around planning and making sure everything falls in place including BUGDETS! that's why at Divine Schools we train planners into being proficient and excellent providers so as to make the special indeed special and less stressful.
Here are a few tips we gathered in order to give you an idea on how to reduce your costs
Reception
1. Cut the guest list. This will slash your catering costs and save on invitations and even the number of centerpieces.
2. Think off-peak season and save thousands!
3. Hold your ceremony and reception in one spot -- it will cut travel time for vendors you pay by the hour.
4. Skip the Saturday wedding. - if possible
5. Have bigger tables so you need fewer centerpieces and tablecloths.
6. Shop the off-season for extra decor --
Flowers
7. Use more greenery than flowers. - this does work and is equally beautiful
8. Swap out costly flowers -- did you know peonies can be five times more expensive than roses?
9. Stick to just one or two kinds of flowers.
10. Buy flowers that are in season.
11. Include non-florals, like lanterns.
Food & Drink
12. Serve entree duets.
13. Skip the main course -- apps and drinks are fine too.
14. Offer beer, wine, and a signature cocktail instead of a full bar. - od away completely with alcohol :)
15. Serve comfort foods like barbecue chicken, mandazis. It's fun and often cheaper.
16. Skip the champagne toast.
Cakes
18. Keep the add-ons simple.
19. Use fresh flowers, not sugar ones.
20. Reuse ceremony flowers for the cake table.
21. Skip exotic fillings like guava and mango.
Stationery & Favors
22. Get single-page invites to save on postage.
23. Give out one favor per couple.
24. Make your cake the favors.
25. Have favors double as escort cards.
26. Email your save-the-dates.
27. Make your own cards if possible and better yet make E-cards, everyone is online anyway! those upcountry have them communicated to by those who got the e cards
Photo, Video & Music
28. Have a photographer you love but can't afford the prices? Ask them if they have an associate shooter who will do your wedding for less.
29. Opt for a smaller band.
30. Hire a band or DJ who can do both the ceremony and the reception.
Hope those 30 tips do help! Get a planner to do this for you!!! If you have any more tips do let us know, if your a planner do communicate and drop us your contacts! as always feel free to leave a comment.
Have an amazing Tuesday!
grt
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