Wedding Planning ideas for your wedding in
Los Angeles
The Wedding You Want Without the Debt You Don’t
Do you have champagne tastes on a beer budget? Planning a wedding can be stressful, exhausting and expensive! Don’t blow the budget on trying to keep up with the latest reality tv star’s wedding; instead, make a list of your priorities and splurges, and make cuts or adjustments where you can. Read on for some more ideas on getting the event you dream of while staying sane and out of debt.
Getting started: sit down with your fiancé and make a list. Talk about things you’ve loved at other weddings you attended, things that stood out to you or that you appreciated, and details that are special for you both to have at your event. Also discuss things that are less important, so that you are both on the same page when it comes to planning. Decide whether you want a formal or more casual affair, and get a rough estimate of your number of guests.
Consider your actual budget. Who is paying for what? Are you parents splitting costs? Are you paying it all yourself? Is there another relative chipping in? Get concrete figures from everyone first on what they’re willing to spend and go from there.
Next, look at magazines, online blogs, websites for general ideas and then forget about what you’ve seen! Don’t try to copy someone else’s wedding- make it your own!
First things first: choosing a date and location. There are many ways to save on just this step alone!
*The easiest way to save (sometimes thousands!) is to skip a Saturday wedding. This is prime time for venues and reception sites, and you’ll pay extra for that! Think about a Friday evening, or Sunday afternoon wedding instead, if you’re set on a weekend event. Not only will you save money, but there may be a location you have your heart set on that is booked out on Saturdays at least a year in advance. By moving your wedding one day, you can get in without the wait.
*Look for venues that serve as both ceremony and reception locations- not only will you have only one rental fee, but it will also cut travel time for any vendors that need to attend both.
*Consider an off-peak wedding. This will vary according to your location, but in Los Angeles, peak wedding season runs about April to November. Plan something in those off-months and you may be able to negotiate great deals with your vendors in their down times.
*Having a wedding at home can save lots of money if you have a great space to accommodate your guest list. Don’t forget to factor in all the rentals you’ll need though!
*Cut the guest list. And then cut it some more. Let’s do the simple math: at $80/head, if you cut 50 people from your guest list, you’re saving $3,500 right there. Yes, you’ll still have invite your Great Aunt Marge to avoid family drama, but that old high school buddy that you ran into once at Starbucks last year won’t even know she was cut from the list. Keeping your guest list manageable will also let you relax and enjoy your day more- you want to be able to socialize with everyone you invite, and the more guests, the harder that becomes.
Now that you’ve chosen a venue, let’s talk about how to keep your reception costs as low as possible.
*Consider having bigger and fewer tables so you’ll need fewer tablecloths, centerpieces and table décor extras.
*Instead of offering a choice of entrees, choose one (you can’t go wrong with chicken or beef) or offer a duet (smaller portions of two entrees).
*Depending on the time of your event, you might be able to skip an entrée altogether and have an h’ordeurve and cocktail reception instead.
*While a full open bar often makes for legendary pictures afterward, it’s a huge extra cost to you. Consider serving beer and wine or one signature/themed cocktail instead. Skip a champagne toast, and let guests toast you with whatever they’re already drinking. If you can supply your own alcohol for the venue, do it. Purchasing your own will save you lots of money.
*Keep your menu simple. Stay with foods in season and things that are specialties of your venue/caterer.
When it comes to cake, couples are often surprised at how quickly costs of flour and sugar add up!
*If you have your heart set on a specific style of cake, consider ordering a smaller version (one tier or two small tiers), and then several sheet cakes in the same flavor to serve your guests. Costs per guest will be much lower.
*Don’t worry about having a top tier to ‘save’ for your first anniversary. Cakes generally don’t taste great after a year in the freezer, and what better excuse to order a new, smaller cake for two from your baker when the time comes to celebrate? You won’t have to pay the extra costs for wedding decorations the second time either, and can opt for a simpler cake.
*Fondant has a beautiful elegant look, but can add to your costs. A simpler buttercream frosting can be used and most guests prefer it.
*Skip pricey extras like sugar-work flowers or fondant decorations. A simple ribbon and some fresh flowers are easy to add to a basic ivory cake and will look elegant.
*Leave ceremony bouquets on the cake table for décor instead of paying for extra decoration.
*Keep the cake simple; exotic fillings like guava or mango will cost extra and may not appeal to all your guests.
Of course you want an event that looks like a million bucks, but how can you get that kind of décor without spending it?
*Use flowers in season, and plan arrangements, bouquets and boutinnieres to include lots of greenery or fillers. If you can arrange your own flowers, even better! Get to a farmers’ market or local wholesaler and stock up the day before, then gather your best friends for a little pre-wedding afternoon of floral creativity.
*Purchase items seasonally where possible for the best deals. Dreaming of a girly pink wedding? Look for décor supplies right after Valentine’s Day when they go on deep clearance. Love the idea of an elegant red theme? Shop for lux ribbons, vases, and other items just after Christmas. Dollar stores and craft stores are excellent for décor needs.
*Use non-floral items in your décor- a simple tall glass vase bought at the dollar store can be filled with sand for free at the beach and is a great place to nestle a candle for a romantic beach themed wedding. If your event is during fall, consider using items like gourds, squash or pumpkins in lieu of expensive flowers. You can even carve out the pumpkins with your intials, table numbers, or spots to act as candle holders. The possibilities are endless! Use vibrant fruit like green apples, limes or lemons bought in bulk to fill up hurricane lanterns or vases in a summer reception. Tie with a sweet gingham bow for a backyard bbq. Your only limitation is your imagination when it comes to creative table décor. It is totally possible to spend only a couple of dollars per table.
*When planning a ceremony venue, consider one that requires no decoration from you; a beach or public park or garden means that nature has done all the work for you!
The next step is inviting your friends and family. Here, too, there are many ways to save your wallet.
*If you are ordering invitations through a specialty stationer, look at single-page invitations. Not only will the cost you less per invite, but they can save up to $2 on postage over larger package invites, when it comes time to mail them. Use postcards for responses for less postage, or set up a special email address or phone number for RSVP’s.
*Don’t send out a separate save-the-date card. An email can suffice and save on doubling up on postage and printing. Think about creating a wedding event website so that your guests can easily access the information.
*Consider printing your own invitations. Many vendors now sell complete packages that make printing your own elegant invitations a snap, and can keep your costs down well below $1 an invititation. Check online or craft stores. Also print your own programs, menus, reception cards and favor packages.
*Favors can be a contentious issue: silly knick-knack that will be thrown in a junk drawer or memorable keepsake? Most often, it’s going to be the former, so save your pennies on these. If you feel that you must give favors out, stick to edible favors that everyone will enjoy; a single elegant bonbon in a simple glassine envelope at each place setting, or a small jar of your grandmother’s homemade jam. Give one favor per couple.
Saving the memories: Photography and Video can be some of your highest costs, but it’s usually something couples are willing to splurge on to make sure a record of all your hard work and planning is captured. There are still ways to save here too, though.
*If there’s a photographer whose work you love, but can’t afford their package rates, ask if they can be hired for a shorter length of time. Consider covering the ceremony and only part of the reception instead of hiring for the all-day affair.
*Same goes for the videographer. Hire for just ceremony coverage, which will cut down on costly editing and his time. Are you really going to watch 3 hours of reception coverage 10 years from now?
*Find out what your photographer’s package includes. Many photographers will charge you for each print you select, while others will give you a full disc of your digital images with a release to print wherever you choose (saving you huge money). Opt for a photographer who will allow you to print your own pictures or create your own books.
The one big splurge for many brides is often the dress. If you’ve been dreaming of your dress since you were a child, you may have some specific requirements in place!
*If you’ve been lusting over the latest designer gown and can’t give up on it, you may be able to save money simply by swapping the fabric it’s made of. Switching to a poly-satin instead of silk satin can cost hundreds of dollars less.
*You might have dreams of passing your gown on to your first born daughter, but if that’s not a priority for you, consider a shop that rents couture gowns. You can have a lux gown for the day at a much lower price, and not have to deal with storage and cleaning afterward!
*Once you’ve chosen a gown, think about purchasing online. Sites like ebay offer huge savings to adventurous brides. Know what style you want and what looks good on your body, get all your measurements, and get recommendations for a great seamstress in case you need any alterations.
*Don’t forget that alterations can hundreds and hundreds onto the cost of you gown! Try to keep costs down by going to your own seamstress, or purchasing an off-the-rack dress that fits you well to start.
*If you’ve opted for a less formal affair, remember that your costs will be lower for everything, including your gown! Look for simpler, white (or even colored) non-bridal dresses that fit your theme and don’t have a ‘bride’ price tag.
*A tux is a tux. Have the men wear basic black non-designer tuxes. Often if groomsmen rent from the same place the groom will get his for free.
Remember above all, that this is YOUR day. Keep the elements that are meaningful and important to you, and skip the ones that aren’t. It’s easy to get caught up in minute, costly details (which can add up to thousands) and ignore the big picture. Keep your planning on track and splurge of the details you can’t live without, but remember that in the end, it’s about the person you can’t live without.
Beach and Nautical Ideas a-plenty:
Here's some beach-themed ideas for your wedding decor, cakes and favors. Tired of sitting in straight rows at an outdoor wedding? Check out these seating ideas too as well as fun ways to use seashells and starfish to decorate your chairs. Don't forget thoughtful ways to thank your guests for spending the day with you!
Check out http://www.beachweddingphotography.us/planning.html
-Recorded music can be difficult at a beach location ceremony. Consider hiring a classical acoustic guitarist if you want an intimate, quiet soundtrack to your vows.
More Helpful Topics
How to choose a venue that's best for you
One of the first questions couples ask me during a meeting is if I’ve been to the location they’re getting married at. Having shot well over a hundred weddings and hundreds of episodes of television on location, if your chosen spot is in the Los Angeles or OrangeCounty area, the answer is most likely yes! I have shot at golf courses, beaches, California missions, every style of church, public gardens, restaurants, hotels, even Duke’s in Malibu!
Weddings take place at all times of the day- mornings, afternoons, sunset, when it’s raining, when it’s 111 degrees in Woodland Hills, in the sun, in the shade. People get married all the time. My favorite weddings are the ones where the couple finds the right spot that is perfect for them!
http://adamtaylorweddings.us/?page_id=752
Tips on finding a wedding photographer
Hiring a photographer for your wedding can be a daunting experience- this is the person who is going to capture every detail of the event you have spent months or even years planning. You want to choose someone whose work you will love for years to come.
http://adamtaylorweddings.us/?page_id=794
What to ask your photographer
So, you’ve found a photographer you might want to hire to shoot your event. What important things should you ask at your meeting? What should you expect?Often, similar guides will advise to ask what the photographer’s style is. This is pretty easily assessed when you look at their work. A more interesting and telling question is to ask “What is your favorite style of picture to shoot?” Most photographers can and will shoot both posed shots with candid ones. If your photographer tells you they prefer taking posed family pictures and you were really excited about getting all the candid action shots of your reception, then you have a problem, because it may not be that photographer’s strength.
http://adamtaylorweddings.us/?page_id=792