The Budget Guru

Hi! As BG's executive editor one of my most important jobs is to help you find ways to cut costs on your wedding (and in this day and age, who doesn't need all the help they can get?). In every issue, Diane Forden and I include tips from wedding planners and brides just like you, and now, with this blog, we can give you MORE great advice. I'll be contributing on other blogs as well, so look for me on "Bridal Buzz" and "A Traveler's Tale." My motto: You don't have to break the bank to have a simply wonderful wedding!

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November 9, 2009

The Value of Words

“We are betrothed. Nay more, our marriage hour…Determined Of.”

As I was working on a feature about vows for Bridal Guide’s March issue, it occurred to me that the words a couple chooses for their ceremony are awfully important. Couples are personalizing their vows more than ever these days, and I see this as a very good trend—and guess what, it costs absolutely nothing! Even on a budget, you can show your elegance and style by considering the true value of the words you say to one another as you look into each other’s eyes. As I was thinking about all this, I was paging through a neat little book called Bardisms: Shakespeare For All Occasions, by Barry Edelstein, and sure enough, the greatest poet and playwright in the English language had a great deal to say about weddings. You might want to take a peek at this collection—where better to turn for the best bons mots than to the man who said it all—and better than anyone else, too?

From As You Like It, Rosalind to Orlando, and vice versa:
“To you I give myself, for I am yours.”
(Exchange these sweet, simple words at the altar and trust us, there won’t be a dry eye in the house.)

From The Merchant of Venice, Bassanio speaking:
“When this ring/Parts from this finger/then parts life from hence.”
(Another good one to exchange.)

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Posted by Susan at 2:13 p.m. | Comments (0)

October 27, 2009

Guest Savings

Hello out there, to the budget minded among you—meaning ALL of you. That’s the ongoing trend in weddings these days, and wedding planners are coming forward with so many helpful suggestions to help you achieve your goals. Lori Stephenson, owner and senior event consultant with LOLA Event Productions (lolaeventproductions.com), offers words to the wise:

“The trend toward smaller wedding size will continue into 2010,” she says, “with a guest list of 150, on average, as compared to 200–250.” Smaller wedding sizes, she says, open the opportunity to look at “creative venues like galleries, restaurants and lofts spaces, not just traditional hotel ballrooms.”

We’re on the same page with Lori when it comes to guest comfort—happy guests are the heart and soul of a wedding. She says that “amenities for guests can be added to make it more economical for those traveling to attend. For example, secure a range of price points for accommodations and ensure hotels offer features like a complimentary breakfast or a mini-kitchen. For guests traveling with a family, all-suite accommodations are a welcome option.” Lori adds that, with fewer people attending, you can “maximize little touches like hotel amenity gifts or inviting out-of-towners to a pre-wedding cocktail party. Another nice touch is to add interest with a complimentary sightseeing outing, like a museum visit.”

P.S. Before signing your venue contract, Lori advises reviewing your guest list in detail. “Take into consideration the number of out-of-town guests when negotiating your food and beverage ‘minimum’ with the hotel or other vendor. Nobody wants to pay for upgrades just to reach their food and beverage goals. If it looks as if you’re falling under the minimum, try to parlay this into a post-wedding brunch.”

Posted by Susan at 11:19 a.m. | Comments (0)

October 7, 2009

Rock These Savings!

Party planner Jes Gordon has a hot new book out called Party Like a Rock Star—we like the sound of that! And Jes has her head on straight when it comes to cost-cutting for weddings. Here, a few tidbits of wisdom:

• “Don’t feel obligated to serve every alcohol under the sun. It is OK to limit it to just beer and wine and perhaps a specialty drink of choice. Create a fabulous signature drink that all your guests will enjoy.”
• “You can cut down on food, a little. Folks can’t dance when they’re stuffed to the gills. Do a nice tasting menu of little bits of scrumptious foods rather than a side of cow on a plate!”
• “Throwing cocktail receptions instead of elaborate sit-down dinners is really hot right now! Passed apps with drinks + awesome DJ or band = a mighty good time—and freedom for guests to roam around and really have fun.”

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Posted by Susan at 5:32 p.m. | Comments (0)

September 29, 2009

Dance, Dance, Dance!

Strike up the band! Or maybe not? DJs are increasingly popular with the budget-minded among you—but remember, if music is high on your priority list, as it is for many couples, you may want to make it your splurge. Many wedding planners, like Marcy Blum, for example, urge couples NOT to cut too deeply into entertainment expenses—after all, you want guests to kick up their heels and have a blast, right?

That said, Kevin Kinyon, cofounder of GigMasters, an online entertainment booking service (gigmasters.com), recently sent us tuneful tips to help you keep expenses down to a dull roar.

• “Tough economic times require couples to seek more variety, performers to be more versatile and weddings to be more unique,” Kevin opines. Lots of couples are booking “tribute” bands as opposed to a traditional wedding band, he says. A tribute act is one that pays homage to, say, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles or Bob Marley—the nice thing is that you can save money by doing so: $2,000 for a traditional band; $1,500 for a tribute band.
• Instead of hiring different performers for each part of the big day, couples might want to have their reception entertainment “break down into smaller solo and ensemble acts for the ceremony and cocktail hour.” Kevin says this is a more cost-effective approach.
• One big way to cut wedding costs is to cut the guest list—your next move then is to go for smaller, more intimate music. “Solo acts, like acoustic guitarists and harpists, are up 44% this year.”

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Posted by Susan at 3:37 p.m. | Comments (0)

September 3, 2009

Worth the Money?

Here’s an interesting tidbit from a recent conversation I had with Karen Bussen, a New York event planner and author of the gorgeous book, Simple Stunning Weddings. Even for the most budget-conscious couples, Karen says, be sure to ask your planner or designer (if you have one!) if she’ll do a pre-wedding mockup for you so that you can rest assured that everything will be just as you like it on the big day. For her clients, Karen will do a mockup by setting a table with the linen, tableware, candles and flowers that she’ll use for the reception. Then the couple can fuss around and make it EXACTLY right. (Last chance, guys!)

The best time to negotiate for this service? Karen recommends doing it at the beginning when the pro is seeking your business; see if she’ll include it in her fee. And, please guys, remember to get everything—every item, every service—spelled out in your contract.

Karen notes that even if your planner says she’ll need to charge extra for the service, you should bite the bullet and do it anyway. She is totally against the notion of having any unpleasant surprises whatsoever on the wedding day!

Posted by Susan at 11:59 a.m. | Comments (0)

August 28, 2009

Invite Savings

Brides often ask Diane Forden and myself whether it’s OK to send Evites. The short answer is no. So is the long answer. Weddings are special, don’t you agree? Let’s vow to keep something in our lives tech-free! That said, paper invitations can run you into a lot of dough. I recently heard from the people at Hello! Lucky, a stationery company based in San Francisco and London, which makes paper stuff that I just love. I noticed they offer a digital option for invites and I asked them to give me some comparative costs between digital and letterpress. Here’s what they told me:

RSVP cards
For 25 cards: digital would be $67.50 while letterpress would be $427

Place cards
For 25 cards: digital would be $55 while letterpress would be $276

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Posted by Susan at 9:52 a.m. | Comments (0)

August 20, 2009

Focus on Budget

If anyone you know has gotten married lately in New York or New Jersey, they may already know about wedding photographer Alyse Liebowitz, owner of 3 Chicks That Click Photography. Recently, Alyse offered us some general budget advice. Alyse says, by the way, that people are getting married just as much now as they were before the recession—(phew!)—but that absolutely every client she works with has budget concerns. Here, some ideas from Alyse that definitely clicked with the Budget Guru:

• Make sure your quotes from vendors include EVERYTHING. There are unscrupulous folks out there who may charge you for hidden fees after the fact.
• Splurge on your bouquet but not on your table arrangements. Alyse thinks big, fancy-shmancy centerpieces make dinner chit-chat too challenging.
• Forget brand-name alcohol—in a mixed drink, no one will know the difference.
• It’s OK to use the much-maligned e-invite, even though in the past it’s been a wedding etiquette no-no.

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Posted by Susan at 10:11 a.m. | Comments (0)

August 12, 2009

Flower Power

To: All Budget-Minded Brides
From: The M.I.A. Budget Guru

Sorry I haven’t been around lately. Getting our November issue closed (and by the way it’s chock full of budget advice from me and other wedding experts). Meanwhile, Susie Coelho, television host, Grandin Road designer and best-selling author of four books, including Style Your Dream Wedding, stopped by with some tips about wedding flowers.

Budget Guru: Susie, can you give some examples of table arrangements that are both affordable and beautiful?

Susie Coelho: There are so many ways to create an inexpensive as well as a beautiful centerpiece! For a really romantic look, start by placing a round mirror in the center of the table, or, if you have a long table, use a long mirror. Then arrange small votives with tea lights on the mirror for a lovely glow. Add a pop of color with beautiful paper flowers. Psst! I found some great ones at Ikea! Or you can buy small vases and use just one flower per vase.

BG: Flowers tend to be a big expense, but what's a wedding without them?

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Posted by Susan at 10:45 a.m. | Comments (0)

July 15, 2009

Spa Week

Hey, out there on Planet Bride! Sorry I’ve been out of touch for a while, but I’m back now. Here’s a bit of good news for the fall that I wanted to be sure to pass along: On September 14–20 on the West Coast, and on October 12–18 on the East Coast, hundreds of spas across the U.S. and Canada will be offering spa treatments for just $50! (Yes, you heard right: 50 bucks!)

A list of participating spas will be posted on spaweek.com on August 17 (West Coast) and on September 14 (East Coast). You must book in advance for the best treatments and scheduling.

Now if you feel anything the way I feel nowadays, this is quite a relief. That woman ahead of you in line? That’ll be me, so don’t forget to mark your calendars.

P.S. This would be great to do with your bridesmaids or with you and your Mom or you and your best pals—or even with you and your guy! Everyone needs to relax.

Posted by Susan at 2:50 p.m. | Comments (0)

June 11, 2009

Wine Bender

The Budget Guru is on a bender. There’s never been a better time than now to buy vino for your wedding because there’s so much great vintage out there, available for great prices. I’m going to be spotlighting suggestions from experts all around the country. Pull up a wineglass and read on.

99 Bottles of Wine on the Wall. Del Frisco's Steakhouse, NYC.

David O’Day, wine director for Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group, told the BG that many people are under the impression that you have to pay top dollar for the best wines. Uh-uh, he says. He’s seeing lots of brides scrapping the fancy hotel or banquet room in favor of intimate backyard celebrations. Does that appeal? These are the affordable selections David would choose if he were planning the wine for your small outdoor bash (prices vary from state to state):

Sparkling wine: Gruet “Methode Champenoise” Brut NV, New Mexico, $13.95. Crisp, full bodied, perfect for passed hors d’oeuvres.

White wine: Crawford 2006 Napa Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, California, $12.95. Crisp acidity w with balanced finish. Pairs well with hors d’oeuvres, seafood, summer salads. Kris 2007 Venezie Pinot Grigio, Italy, $12.95. Great for outdoor events. Crisp, with notes of melon, apple and pear. Good accompaniment to seafood and shellfish.

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Posted by Susan at 12:35 p.m. | Comments (0)