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CutWeddingCosts.sPubDate = "8/31/2004 7:44:40 PM GMT";
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CutWeddingCosts.sTitle = "Daily Diversion: Wedding bill blues";
CutWeddingCosts.appDeck = "Wedding bill bluesJune is among the most popular months for weddings, but August, September and October also rank right up there. Here are some ways the bride and groom can trim the cost of their wedding celebration, which now averages $19,000.";
CutWeddingCosts.appFooter = "Source: The Knot";
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CutWeddingCosts[i++] = new Array("","Location and date","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
CutWeddingCosts[i-1].body = "
Choose a night other than Saturday. Not only are Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays more available, but you may also get a lower rate.
Think off-peak hours around lunch or brunch. Rates and food costs may be cheaper.
Book the reception space early. Prices may be negotiable if reservations are placed a year or more in advance.";
CutWeddingCosts[i++] = new Array("","Flowers","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
CutWeddingCosts[i-1].body = "Choose flowers that are in season and locally grown -- they're less expensive than out-of-season or exotic flowers that must be shipped to your area.
Trim with more greenery than actual blooms.
For the bouquets use multiple, less expensive flowers like baby's breath and daisies, and fill them out with ivy.
Walk down the aisle carrying one or two large, stunning blooms like orchids, tulips or sunflowers, tied with a ribbon.
Consider not bringing in many flowers if the wedding location is a naturally flowering place like a park or garden. Also keep in mind that during the holiday season, the church or temple may already be decorated.
Reuse the ceremony flowers at the reception site. Or arrange to share the cost of ceremony decorations with the couple marrying directly before or after you that day.
Mix silk or dried flowers with fresh ones in table centerpieces. Or put pretty flowering plants on the tables as centerpieces.";
CutWeddingCosts[i++] = new Array("","Food and alcohol","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
CutWeddingCosts[i-1].body = "Talk with your caterer about cost differences between stationary and passed hors d'oeuvres, and more affordable ingredients.
Select lower-priced entrees like chicken instead of beef -- or pasta instead of scallops. Simpler vegetables, like broccoli instead of asparagus, will help cut costs, too.
Minimize the number of courses.
Choose local or in-season ingredients to save on importing costs.
Check if your favorite neighborhood restaurant caters.
Avoid giving guests a choice of entrees on the day of the wedding -- either request meal preferences on your reply cards or select one entree that appeals to all tastes.
A good wedding cake is often dessert enough (maybe just add some fresh fruit for the hard-core health buffs).
Think about a cocktail reception with just drinks and hors d'oeuvres, or a champagne-and-cake reception after the ceremony. Time your celebration appropriately (early or late afternoon), so guests will not expect a full meal.
Get a small, decorated cake to cut during the reception and add a sheet cake of the same flavor that's cut in the kitchen for guests.
See if your caterer offers a selection of standard cakes as opposed to ordering a customized design.
Serve only wine, beer and soft drinks at the open bar, plus a round of champagne for the toasts.
Instead of an open bar, serve passed wine in glasses. Or serve traditional wedding punch -- you'll need less liquor, and you won't have to use the most expensive brands.
If your caterer and reception site allow, buy the alcohol yourselves. You may be able to return unopened cases instead of paying your caterer or banquet manager a flat rate for a set amount of open-bar hours.
Close the bar an hour before the reception ends and provide soft drinks, sparkling water and coffee. This should also reduce the risk of people driving home drunk.";
CutWeddingCosts[i++] = new Array("","Music","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
CutWeddingCosts[i-1].body = "Ask your DJ or band about cutting back on special effects like lighting and disco balls.
Hire students from local universities or music academies to play or sing during the ceremony.
Request a talented friend or relative to perform a solo at your ceremony as a wedding gift.
Hire in-house musicians from your church or temple for your ceremony.
Ask bands about the minimum amount of time they will play at a reception. You might have them play for three hours, from the first dance to the cake cutting, with supplementary taped music for the cocktail hour and to wind down the party.
Ask the bandleader if the group can be scaled back to a three- or four-piece combo instead of a larger orchestra -- this will also cuts the cost for tips, meals, etc.
Find out if any of the musicians play another instrument. If the pianist also plays the guitar or violin, perhaps he or she can also provide cocktail hour music and you won't have to hire another musician.";
CutWeddingCosts[i++] = new Array("","Invitations","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
CutWeddingCosts[i-1].body = "Consider thermography, a less-expensive process than engraving, which still gives a raised look to the words.
Ask stationers whether a package price is available if you order all your stationery at once (invitations, thank-you notes, announcements, etc.).
Send invitations that, when completely assembled, are light enough to require only a single stamp for mailing.
For weddings with less than 50 people, formal invitations are not required; you can send handwritten invites on the paper of your choice.";
CutWeddingCosts[i++] = new Array("","Photo and video","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
CutWeddingCosts[i-1].body = "Compare hourly fees and package deals to see which is more cost-effective for you.
Ask your photographer and videographer if they can limit their hours of participation; for example, can they only cover the first couple of hours of your reception instead of the whole thing?
Find out how long the photographer will keep your negatives; you may decide to buy prints later, after the other wedding bills are paid.
Ask about discounts if you purchase all your prints or extra copies of your video at once.
Talk to your photographer and videographer about limiting special services, such as handpainted accents on photos or special effects in video.
Talk to your photographer and videographer about their need for assistants; some visual professionals can work alone to help you save costs.
Save on disposable camera costs by putting them at every other table instead of each one. Encourage guests to pass them around.";
CutWeddingCosts[i++] = new Array("","Wedding dress","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
CutWeddingCosts[i-1].body = "Start shopping right away. The more time you have, the better chance you will have of finding a version of your dream gown in your dream price range.
Think about buying a top-of-the-line bridesmaid dress -- in white. While it may not look as impressive (or be cut as well) as a bridal gown, you can probably be outfitted for under $500.
Keep in mind that simpler, unembellished dresses may be less expensive than ornate ones decorated with lots of crystals, beads and lace.
Buy a sample dress. If you're lucky enough to fit into a dress right off the rack -- as opposed to having it made for you -- you can save money. You'll probably be on your own for the cost of alterations and cleaning that may be needed before the wedding.
Borrow a gown. Ask girlfriends whose dresses you liked -- and who are your size -- if they would mind if you wore theirs. This may be touchy -- most women consider their dresses sacred. Be selective about whom you ask.
If it (generally) fits you and you like it, wear your mom's dress. You can update it with alterations or by adding embellishment such as beads and lace (at a cost, of course).";
CutWeddingCosts[i++] = new Array("","Transportation","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
CutWeddingCosts[i-1].body = "Use limousines for the minimum amount of time -- instead of having the driver wait, hire a limo to go to the ceremony and reception and a town car to pick you up at the end of the reception.
Only hire a limo for the bride and groom; arrange for relatives to drive attendants, or ask them to drive themselves in groups.
Inquire about different types of cars for hire -- luxury limos might contain a TV and VCR, unnecessary for your wedding day. A corporate limo might be perfect for your needs.
Borrow or rent a gorgeous sports car or antique car from a friend or relative, as their wedding gift to you.";
// END editorial data