system
September 11, 2010, 10:48pm
12
Re: Wedding costs in Toronto
^ good breakdown!
the best way of cutting costs, and i keep saying this to all the brides i run into, is controlling your guest list. people cost money. its as simple as that. you can have a beautiful wedding for $15-20,000 with fewer guests. don’t invite 400 people, have a 100 people.
have a budget. if you know your budget is limited, then work backwards from it. i have never understood how brides can go into planning this huge, and very expensive day, with no budget! so many times its oh i’ll spend what i spend or i’ll spend when i know how much it is and then they go to the expensive vendors, find something they love, get it, and then there’s all this stress about too much money being spent blah blah blah. so have a budget . figure out what your maximum spend is. then divide it up and spend the allotted amounts only. its not difficult- it takes discipline, creativity and the willingness to do your research and find vendors who will work within your budget.
seasonally, winter weddings are cheaper and vendors during the winter also have lower rates. if you want a summer wedding, you’ll be paying premium prices. april to october is considered high season for weddings so get married anytime between november and march. have a beautiful winter wedding themed indoor reception.
also lastly, i think a certain amount of DIY is fine, but i wouldn’t consider you doing your own stage and all of your décor by yourself. family and friends are well-meaning but often will not give it as much attention as you would yourself, and its a lot of work. so be clear about what your priorities are and what you are ok with farming out to family and what should go to professionals.
Thanks, somegroovychic, some good advice there.
I came across another bit of advice somewhere that the couple should figure out what their priorities are, in terms of where the money should go and where the costs can be cut. Dresses, decor, venue, photography etc.
I have come to believe in GOOD photography. That’s the only thing left of your wedding after 10 years.