 GUIDE
201 Smart Tips for Saving on Your Wedding |
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The Wedding ReceptionWedding reception venues are used to hearing that interested parties, (whether it be for a wedding or another function) are on a budget. This creates advantages and disadvantages, that you can use to your advantage. Advantages: Firstly, the biggest advantage in understanding this is knowing that it is okay to tell a potential wedding reception venue that they are more expensive than you can afford. When doing this however, make it known that you really want to use their venue and would like to work together with them to see if it possible. The reception venue’s host may have ideas on how you can meet your budget, or cut at least cut down the costs based on how they price their services. The reception venue’s host may be able to give you ideas that other customers have used to cut down their budget. If your wedding is at a quiet time of year the reception venue may be flexible and accommodate you rather than go without a booking. Disadvantages: The reception venue is ultimately in it for the money and they will not hold a booking for you forever until you make up your mind or sort out your budget. If your wedding is at a busy time of year, reception venues are often not willing to be flexible because they will most likely pick up another wedding booking. Most reception venues price their services seasonally, which means getting married in the “low season” will mean costs are lower not only for the hiring of the venue, but also for the catering (if this is included). Each reception venue will have a different definition of the peak and low seasons, so don’t assume anything – get their price list. Dinner receptions are always the most expensive, so even if you dream wedding plan included an afternoon wedding and a dinner reception, take a moment to consider the other options and seriously think about how your day would work if you didn’t do the dinner. Other options for your wedding reception include:
Instead of specialist wedding venues, ask at your favourite local restaurant if you can hold your wedding reception there. If you have a sufficiently large group, you may be able to book out the whole restaurant for your wedding or some restaurants have dedicated “function rooms”. Restaurants often don’t have the large “wedding markup” that specialist wedding function centres have, particularly if you have your reception at a non-peak time of the week (avoid Friday and Saturday night). Do you have a friend or family member with a nice garden that you could have your reception in? Even in the winter a garden reception is still an option. Putting up marques and gas heaters add a cosy atmosphere while you still get to enjoy the scenery. You know that cute little park around the corner that would be perfect for a wedding … check with the local council before you go ahead because you may need a permit to have a wedding or even to have photos taken in particular public spaces. There can be large fines (and embarrassment) if you don’t have a permit. Many reception venues offer the option of paying extra to dress up the chairs and tables with slip covers and sashes for the chairs. Instead of paying the venue to do this, why not do it yourself. Buy some cheap tulle, or fabric that is on sale or at the end of a roll (you can get good discounts on fabric at the end of a roll, just ask) and tie big bows around the backs of chairs. Or, buy your decorations second had from another bride (there are lots of places that you can do this online). Some venues require you to pay additional fees for things such as security (security is often required for venues such as aquariums, botanical gardens, zoos etc where there is public access). Make sure you are aware of all of the charges and do you sums before choosing your preferred venue. The one that looks like good value for money may not be when you add it all together. Get married overseas. This will force you to cut down on the number people that you invite, and your reception and honeymoon costs will combine into one. Sarah’s
Story
Sarah
just could not get the numbers down for her reception.
The
lowest she could go was 130 and even that
was leaving people out and she was already feeling terrible about doing
this.
Sarah’s
problem is that she knew so many
people from the church that she grew up in, and the church that she was
now
going to with her fiance, not to mention the large extended family that
she
had, and the people she had counted as friends through involvement in
youth
groups, community organisations and of course, school.
Sarah
just wanted everyone
to be involved in her special day, and couldn’t bare the
thought of not being surrounded with all of these people from
throughout her
life. The solution was to have an afternoon tea reception. All
of the
older ladies from her church organised it, supervised by her grandmother. The
afternoon tea was held in the hall next to the church, and over 200
people attended.
Sarah was surrounded by
all the people that she knew and they were able to celebrate one of the
most
important times in her life with her. The
hall was decorated by her entire family (closely supervised by Sarah
of course!) and the important events that occur at a wedding reception
were not
forgotten.
They still had a table
for
the bridal party to sit at, they still had speeches, and toasts and an
open
bar, they still had a cake, and even though it wasn’t what
Sarah would have
described as her dream wedding before she got engaged, after the event
she
couldn’t think of anything better. Does
it get any better than that?
Yes it
does.
She saved $15,000 on
her
reception.
Five Steps for Selecting a reception Venue
One: Spend hours on the internet and make a
list of reception
venues that you would consider, from those you suspect are too over the
top, to
those you would only consider as a last resort.
My StoryThe first place I looked at on the internet (a work colleague actually showed it to me) was my dream reception venue, and as I drooled over the computer screen while I looked at their web page I didn’t seriously consider calling them for an information pack because I thought they would be out of my league. Lucky I did, because surprisingly, they turned out to be comparable in price to some of the standard suburban reception venues that I didn’t even want to consider for my reception. With a bit of negotiating to bring the price down even further, I got my dream reception venue. Two: Call all of the
reception
venues and request an information pack and price list. Most reception venues will send you out a glossy brochure than will help you narrow down which ones you actually want to visit. Three: Work out your
budget, and decide which reception venues will squeeze within this. When working out your budget, consider the total number of people that you will invite (not how many you think will come – you may be unpleasantly surprised), and think about different catering options if catering is managed by the reception venue. More catering tips and ways of saving money here (that might not be mentioned in the information packs sent out by reception venues but are often negotiable) are in the next section. Four: Make a short-list of 5-8 reception venues,
and do a drive by. When doing a drive by
look at things
such
as parking, travel time from your potential ceremony, and photo
opportunities.
Definitely get out and
walk around if you can. Five: Cut down your shortlist to 3-5
based on your drive bys and organise a day and time to meet with the
host or
manager to discuss your wedding reception. Use
the list below to help you make that final decision! Questions to
Ask a wedding Reception Venue If providing catering: Can I see your menus If own catering options are available: More:
The
Bridesmaid Dresses
The Groom & Groomsmen’s Attire The Shoes Hair, Makeup & Jewellery The Ceremony The Reception Venue The Catering The Drinks The Cake The Bonbonniere The Music The Flowers The Photos The Transport The Bridal Shower, Hen’s Night & Buck’s Night Invitations The Gifts The Honeymoon ____________________________________________________________________________
©
2009
No
part of this publication / website may be reproduced or distributed in
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reproduction in any form of verbal or written media without the prior
written permission of the author.
DISCUSSING THE CONTENT OF THIS PUBLICATION ON INTERNET MESSAGE BOARDS OR FORUMS CONSITUTES A BREACH OF COPYRIGHT. Disclaimer This publication is the opinion of the authors, and the author’s do not guarantee any savings as a result of following the tips offered in the publication. The authors do not take any responsibility for the use or application of the information provided. This publication is provided on the understanding that: The author expressly disclaim all forms of liability to any person (purchaser of this publication or not) in respect of the publication and any consequences arising from its use.  |
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