Events Blog

We Can Make Your Wedding A Recession-Fabulous Wedding!

 

Times are tough.  The economy is sagging, jobs are hard to come by and most families are cutting back on costs in ever direction. One thing is for certain though, people are still getting married! This weekend all eyes were on Kim Kardashian and Chris Humphries, as they tied the knot in a lavish, exclusive, celebrity packed ceremony.  Sources say that the guest list was over 400 and that the bride had 3 different dresses to showcase during the event.  This sounds amazing, storybook and even has a fairytale element to it. However, for most brides, especially in today's day and age, a wedding even half this size and scope is way out of the budget.  Currently, the average US couple is spending around $27,800 on their nuptials.  This number varies slightly per state and can adjust slightly in urban areas like South Florida, but is still pretty close to this average anywhere your planning is taking place.  When the cost of most celebrity bridal gowns exceeds your entire event budget, how do you make your wedding celebrity fabulous? By becoming recession fabulous of course! With the right planning and resources, couples can have a celebrity-inspired event, without the celebrity price tag. By following a few simple techniques, we have cut costs for many of our events without cutting the elegant look or feel of the event. Here are my top 3 favorite ways to make your event "Recession-Fabulous"!

 

1. Cut costs from your bar - it's the easiest way to cut out the largest amount of money with the smallest overall effect on your event.  - One of the most commonly used trends these days is the signature drink.  Couples are pairing drinks with their theme, using attractive and exciting colors and infusions or just trying to share a favorite and meaningful recipe with loved ones on their special day.  By using just a few signature drinks and limiting your bar to beer and wine, you cut out a bundle of cash and guests don't really notice anything missing. The most commonly used liquors are vodka and rum, stick with drinks that use only one of these and cut costs even more.

 

2. Sorry flowers... you've been asked to sit this one out! Candles, candles, candles! This is my personal favorite money saving technique.  Face it, everyone and everything looks better by candle light!  You've seen the use of obscene amounts of candles in movies and it looks great, why not steal this look for your event? More and more I am suggesting to brides to limit the number of floral arrangements that they have.  By using floating candles, candles of varying sizes in glass containers or even rows of tea light candles, we have been able to create dramatic, beautiful centerpieces.  These pieces are cost effective and most importantly give your event a warm, rich, chic feel without the chic cost.

 

3. If you must have flowers - go for a solo... Some brides are more traditional and others just love the idea of bunches and bunches of pretty smelling buds at their event, so they don't want to stray from using Flowers.  To those brides who are cutting costs but don't want to cut the petals out completely, I suggest using one type and color of flower on the tables and in bouquets.  Using a solo flower or what I like to call a "spotlight flower" allows us to purchase for you in bulk, giving you a better price.  In addition to the bulk purchase, bunching one type and color of flower together gives people the idea that there are more of them and it also allows flowers that normally would not look so elegant, like a carnation for example, to take on a whole different chic look and feel.  Most celebrity floral arrangements that you have seen in pictures or on-line can be re-created using a less expensive flower, giving couples the celebrity look without the sticker shock. 

I’m sure by now that many of you are inundated in the wedding process that takes place in today’s market.  It’s hard enough to find well educated and talented vendors, let alone trying to find them reasonably priced.  That is where your wedding planner should come in! A good planner can help you shave about 10% from your wedding expenses.  One of my favorite suggestions, and often the most under-utilized, is the use of a signature drink.  Signature drinks can add style and sophistication to your event and save you money on the bar tab!

 

When I say “signature drink”, I’m not talking about just serving a rum drinks all night.  I’m talking about reaching out to a good mixologist or drink website and creating a beverage that goes with the theme, style and colors of your event.  Bright vibrant colors are very popular and add a element of shock and surprise to the bar area.  Blue drinks go well with tropical weddings and winter themes while reds are a good compliment to an Asian inspired affair or chic evening theme.  I like to use oranges in the Fall or for sunset or picnic styles and of course yellows can easily be paired with brunches, lunches or even country styled events. I like to keep the alcohol to a common type like vodka or rum.  Those seem to appeal to the largest variety of crowds.

 

Finally, don’t forget to draw attention to your drink.  A great name, incorporating the couples names or even the married name is always fun.  If that doesn’t work, try utilizing your theme as a naming device. Whatever the case, classy signs and markers around the bar areas with the drink ingredients are always a crowd pleaser.  

 

Not into serving just one drink, no problem. Try beer and wine in addition to your signature drink.  Those items can be purchased by the bottle or case and unused portions can be returned in some cases.  Speak to your caterer and ask about using a contingency bar. In this option the caterer allows the couple to purchase the liquor separately.  Using this method allows the couple to control the liquor cost.  Whichever option you choose, make sure you have fun with the whole process.  Don’t forget, if you have any questions about any of these methods Six Cents Events is here to help.  Also, catch some of our other great money saving techniques on Facebook!