Fall is a naturally colorful season. It is also the perfect season for couples to have a beautiful, low cost wedding that will dazzle their guests without breaking the bank. All it takes is an eye for nature and a touch of creativity.
Wedding gowns can eat up a substantial part of a couple’s budget. For a fall wedding, consider buying a marked down spring gown which can be altered to fit the season by a professional seamstress. Keep in mind that updating or altering your mother’s wedding dress can also be a big money saver. On the web, www.SellYourWeddingDress.com offers great deals on dresses and accessories. For brides considering sewing their own dresses, get all the costs priced beforehand to determine if this is really a viable alternative.
Flowers for a wedding can be expensive, but buying in-season flowers like mums for a fall wedding will give your budget more flexibility while not sacrificing anything in the way of beauty.
The ceremony and reception locations can add significantly to the cost of any wedding, but savvy couples can trim their costs by planning their reception at a bed and breakfast by the countryside. The natural decor of turning leaves will add to the fall theme of the wedding. Botanical gardens and museums offer natural fall vistas and backdrops at a fraction of the cost of traditional banquet halls. City parks, family gardens, or local wildlife sanctuaries offer beautiful settings at little or no charge, but bad weather contingencies should always be in place when considering outdoor venues.
Alcohol for the reception adds up fast. Instead of a fully stocked bar, consider offering guests beer and wine. For a fall wedding, consider eliminating alcohol altogether in favor of seasonal fruit punches and apple cider. Remember that a cash bar at a wedding reception is the ultimate in poor taste. There is a difference between being frugal and cheap.
Reception dinner menus can send most couples over budget, so consider a buffet with fancy rolls, specialty meats, gourmet mustards, and in-season fruit salads instead of prime rib and lobster. A backyard barbecue complete with all the trimmings will allow your guests to relax while creating their favorite combinations.
Cake costs can be trimmed by having a smaller display cake for the bride and groom, while sheet cakes, in a variety of flavors, may be served to the guests.
Professional wedding photographers can charge thousands of dollars, so consider using a photographer only at the ceremony and putting disposable cameras on each table at the reception. Your guests will be taking pictures throughout the evening and you’ll be surprised at all of the things you missed!
Whatever type of wedding you have, remember that how much you spend, what you are wearing, and what you eat are all secondary to the sublime moment when a couple become husband and wife. That is, after all, what your guests are coming to witness.
Sources:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4526172_have-beautiful-lowbudget-fall-wedding.html
http://www.weddingclipart.com/guide/wedding-budget/budget-fall-weddings-%7C-cheap-fall-weddings.html
