5 Tips for Affordable Pre-Wedding Celebrations

Celebrate Your Wedding 

Perhaps one of the most popular and best loved wedding traditions is the pre-wedding celebrations like the wedding shower and bachelor parties. Usually these parties are supplied by the mother of the bride or the best man etc. Some couples find that they would rather host their own either out of necessity or desire.

Really, it does not matter who throws the party because in the end, it should still be affordable. There are ways to make this happen.

1. Throw a jack and Jill party which combines the bachelor and bachelorette party together. If it is hosted at a home, your guests can bring their own alcoholic beverages.

2. Have your bridal shower at your own home providing home cooked food.

3. At your bridal shower purchase decorations that can also be used as parting gifts such as personalized candles etc.

4. Celebrate your wedding at a local pub or tavern. This will give you the benefits of having all of your friends with you and none of the financial responsibility. Basically this night is no different than spending an evening with friends to celebrate a promotion, only the focus is on your wedding instead. Many couples will do this together instead of a bachelor/bachelorette party.

5. If you or a family member have memberships at a local legion, you can often convince them to let you use their halls for you bridal shower.

About the author: Mike Lindsey
For more tips and ideas on planning your wedding, check out The Ultimate Online Guide http://www.planning-your-wedding.com/
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Wedding Rehearsal and Dinner

Rehearsal Dinner

Your rehearsal dinner is a great time to enjoy being with family and friends and begin your wedding celebration. There are a few things you want to keep in mind when planning for this special event. Firstly, usually the groom’s parents host the dinner (however, this is no longer a strict rule). Sometimes the bride and groom will host the dinner or it can be hosted together by several people.

In terms of food for dinner, try a different style and menu than that of your wedding day. If your wedding is a formal sit-down dinner, try a buffet or something more casual for the rehearsal. Also, mix up the types of food. Maybe have each of the couple’s ethnicity reflected in the food for each meal.

Your rehearsal is the perfect time to incorporate a theme that the couple enjoys such as a Mexican Fiesta, or a Western Barbeque, or even a Hawaiian Luau. You could try a nautical theme, with the dinner on a boat, or have a clam bake on the beach. Be creative!

On the other hand, you may prefer a sit down dinner at a restaurant. Check out restaurants with private dining rooms. Plan the first hour of the rehearsal dinner as a cocktail ‘hour’ where guests can mingle with each other and with the bride and groom before eating. Having the dinner at a restaurant will also save some stress on the couple’s preparation, but may be a bit more costly.

Should you send invitations for your rehearsal dinner?
This is not required, but if you have the time and money, it’s a good idea. The invitation will tell people exactly where and when the rehearsal will be held and where and when the dinner will take place. Include directions to the restaurant if necessary.

If you choose to send invitations, make sure they are less formal than the wedding invitations. Invite everyone participating in the ceremony. Spouses or dates of all adult attendants should also be invited. Additionally immediate family is included.

It is not necessary to invite musicians or soloists unless they are close friends or family. Feel free to invite family and out-of-town friends not in the ceremony to the rehearsal for a chance to spend extra time with them.

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Wedding Cost Savings

Wedding Budget Savers

Almost every couple struggles to stay within a budget for their wedding day. Here are a few tips to help you
cut back on spending without cutting back on class.

To save on flowers, have a December wedding. Usually hotels, reception sites, and churches are already beautifully decorated which keeps expenses low. Also look into historic homes for a more intimate setting.

Consider having your wedding, reception or both at a local garden club or botanical garden. Both will offer a beautiful setting all year long, and your decorating expenses will be low. For a more intimate setting, consider a pretty bed and breakfast.

It is difficult to save on photography costs because you don’t want to skimp on such an important and timeless item. Your formal portrait should be taken by a professional photographer and not by a friend or relative. Since photographers usually charge partly based on hourly rate, consider sending them on their way following the ceremony.

Scatter disposable cameras on tables at the reception with cards asking your guests to take pictures. Provide a well-marked basket by the exit for your guests to drop the used cameras in when they leave. Have your families and bridal party make certain that guests understand this.

If a friend or relative does offer to take pictures, thank them, and suggest that they take photos at the reception. You could offer to pay for film and/or developing. You should make sure to get the negatives so you can order your own enlargements and reprints.

One of your biggest expenses will be the reception. A buffet is less expensive than a seated dinner, but have you considered something unique, such as a picnic, barbeque or afternoon tea?

While you will save money if you have a Christmas wedding, many venues up their prices, especially for a Friday or Saturday night. Consider a Sunday wedding since this is usually an ‘off’ day for most restaurants and clubs.

Try to prepare some of the food yourself. Cook ahead and freeze some items. Have family members cook up some family favorites with secret recipes. These will be sure to please every guest in attendance.]