1) What is the average price of a wedding?
At the present time, the average price of a wedding is approximately $27,000*.
2) We would like to have a very nice, elegant wedding. However, we have a limited budget. How can we cut costs and still have our dream wedding?
Consider a destination wedding. Most destination locations will work closely with you and your planner to customize a package that will fit within your budget. This will significantly decrease the costs that are associated with a traditional wedding. The greatest advantage of a destination wedding is that the festivities can last days instead of hours. The downside to this option is that many family members and friends may not be able to attend.
Select a location where you are able to have both the ceremony and the reception. This will eliminate some of the travel costs.
Get married during the off season (November through April). Many locations and vendors offer significant discounts. During the winter months, depending on your geographical location, please consider the possibility of severe weather.
Food and alcohol consume a great deal of the budget.
In lieu of a full catered buffet, consider a cocktail reception, with heavy hors d’oeuvres served by waiters. This will maintain the elegance of the reception, while decreasing the costs. When choosing to have a hors d’oeuvres reception, be cautious. Heavy hors d’ouvres can be as pricey as a full catered meal depending on the choices, such as seafood or prime rib. In addition, you can offer soft drinks, punch and wine to decrease the costs of alcohol. PLEASE, do not have a cash bar at your reception.
There are several ways to cut costs and still have the wedding that you desire.
First, determine what the most important elements of your wedding are, i.e. location, flowers, attire, food, beverages, etc. Once these areas have been identified, you can decrease the budget in other areas.
3) What is the proper way to address wedding invitations?
The wedding invitation is one of the most important aspects of the wedding. It sets the tone of the wedding. Thus, it is important that they are addressed properly. Please consult your wedding planner on the proper way to address invitations or review sources such as Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette.
4) What if I do not have time to send thank-you notes for the gifts received at the wedding?
Please make time to express your appreciation to your guests. Handwritten notes are the perfect way to thank them for sharing in your special day and/or for gifts they have given you. If an individual assisted during the wedding or the preparation, it is nice to acknowledge it. Also, when thanking guests for gifts, remember to identify the gift. They will appreciate this personal touch.
Writing thank-you notes is time consuming; however, if you write a few notes a day, the task will not seem so tedious. Remember, etiquette stipulates that thank-you notes be sent within three months.
5) How do I select attendants’ dresses?
This is your wedding and of course you want to select dresses that you like, which will coincide with the type of wedding you are having (i.e. formal, semi-formal, casual elegant). However, it is acceptable to select dresses that that reflect each attendant’s own personal style and body type. This can be done while maintaining a polished look by selecting dresses in the same color but different styles or the same style and different colors that compliment each other.
*Association of Bridal Consultants