The Budgeting Bride
Cutting the Cost of Tying the Knot
By Sarah Gonzales
The wedding tab is traditionally borne by the bride’s parents, but nowadays it is just as likely to be paid by the couple, or shared by both families. Regardless of who pays, it can add up to a lot of dough.
The average wedding price tag is $20,398, according to costofwedding.com, and many couples exceed their budgets by 50 percent or more when it’s all said and done. Whoever foots the bill for the big day, a solid budget prepared early and followed closely is a must.
Local wedding planner Karla DeLong, of Karla DeLong Weddings, says the best place to start your budget planning is to “come up with a list of what is most important. If the cake or the photography is most important, then that will be at the top of the list.” Divvy up the rest of the budget between everything else.
Here are a few helpful tips on ways to stretch your dollars.
Ceremony
The obvious way to save on officiant fees is to take advantage of the Alaska statute that allows anyone to perform a ceremony with a Marriage Commissioner Appointment obtainable through your local court. This means the friend who introduced you two or your favorite uncle may perform the vows. Instead of renting a hall or making a donation to a church for use of their facility, why not consider gathering on a beach, or a clearing in a meadow? A friend or family member’s backyard could be the perfect (free) spot, as well.
Resources: Alaska court system; AlaskaEventServices.com, SpecialEventsAlaska.com
Reception
With reception costs roughly half of the overall budget, this is the area where smart planning counts the most. DeLong offers some superb, money-saving tips when it comes to the party: “Find a place where you can bring in your own offsite caterers; you’ll save a lot of money right there.” She adds that the leaner the guest list, the leaner the cost – “Limiting your guest count is another great way to save money” – since each guest can cost from $25-$75 in catering.
Venues allowing outside catering: Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum, Alpenglow Lodge at Arctic Valley, Bayshore Clubhouse, Viking Hall. For a list of local caterers, see our Resource Directory.
DeLong recommends having a small but beautiful custom cake for photos and the cutting ceremony, and then supplementing with an inexpensive, but still delicious, sheet cake. This is a brilliant tip, considering that a custom cake for 100 costs roughly $600.
For a list of cake designers, check out the Resource Directory.
Photography
Hiring a professional to document your day in pictures is a must. This is one category where every dollar counts, and instead of scrimping make sure you go with someone whose style you love because it’s hard to put a price on memories.
For a list of top pros, check out our Resource Directory.
Flowers
Check out the local nurseries and flower shops in your area and consider swapping more expensive stems for less costly stems of the same color. Gather your craftiest friends and family, florist’s tape and foam and ribbons and have a DIY floral arranging party. Heads up: make sure you have a lot of refrigerator space to keep the blooms fresh until they are needed. Wildflowers can be a beautiful accent to your décor and picking them in the morning before the wedding is a wonderful way to relax. Keep in mind that wildflowers won’t keep the way domesticated blooms do.
Resources: AnchorageFloral.com, BellsNurseryAK.com, Bagoys.com, AlaskaFlowers.net, Michaels.com
Attire
Every woman wants to look like a princess on her wedding day, but this doesn’t necessarily have to cost a pretty penny. Scout sales in the months leading up to your date, and don’t discount a dress that is one or two sizes too large: custom tailoring can make it a perfect fit. If you plan to wear white, look at all white dresses, not just “wedding” dresses. If you have a friend who is especially good at hair and makeup, ask them to consider using that talent as their wedding gift to you.
Resources: MilasAlterations.com, ArcticRoseBridal.com, Moons Alterations, AlaskaWedding.com, AndersonsBride.com
Stationery
Save money, time and trees by sending save-the-date postcards instead of enveloped announcements. Instead of enclosing reply cards in your invites, direct guests to RSVP online at your wedding site. Use chalkboards, French-café style, to list the menu or display table numbers.
Resources: AKWeddings.com, Adorable.SmugMug.com, PartyCraftOnline.com
Transport
A good wash and wax to a family or friend’s nice car may be the simplest way to save on transportation costs.
Gifts
An elegant favor given out at the reception doesn’t have to be spendy, especially considering most guests won’t hang onto it afterwards. A beautifully wrapped chocolate is always deliciously in style. For bride and groom attendants, a gift of engraved toasting glasses is classy. Thoughtful appreciation can be casual and still heartfelt – consider a couple of movie tickets inside a thank you card.
Resources: DonnasCornerAK.com, RegMovies.com, ConfectionersStudio.com
Rings
This category does not include the engagement ring, just the bands. Consider other metals besides gold such as titanium or palladium, and shop at a place where engraving is complimentary.
Resources: TaylorsGold.com, AKJewels.com
Spend what you can afford on what you consider most important, and your wedding will communicate your vision of what makes a beautiful celebration.
Sample Budgets
We’ve made allocating costs easy with three sample budgets below detailing what you can expect to spend on the wedding of your dreams.
Budget Items |
What’s Included |
Average Percent |
$5,000 Budget |
$10,000 Budget |
$20,000 Budget |
Ceremony |
Officiant and site fees, décor, marriage license |
2% |
$100 |
$200 |
$400 |
Reception |
Venue fee, catering, cake |
48% |
$2,400 |
$4,800 |
$9,600 |
Photo/Video |
Photographer, videographer, prints |
12% |
$600 |
$1,200 |
$2,400 |
Music |
Ceremony, reception entertainment |
8% |
$400 |
$800 |
$1,600 |
Flowers |
Bridal party, boutonnieres, corsages, ceremony and reception decor |
9% |
$450 |
$900 |
$1,800 |
Attire |
Bridal gown, shoes, lingerie, jewelry, makeup, hair, groom’s suit |
8% |
$400 |
$800 |
$1,600 |
Stationery |
Invites, programs, thank you notes, place cards, menu, postage |
5% |
$250 |
$500 |
$1,000 |
Transport |
Bridal party, guest shuttles, parking |
2% |
$100 |
$200 |
$400 |
Gifts |
Favors, attendant gifts |
3% |
$150 |
$300 |
$600 |
Rings |
His, hers, engraving |
3% |
$150 |
$300 |
$600 |
Total |
100% |
$5,000 |
$10,000 |
$20,000 |
