Ayanna Kirton, Staff ReporterCONTRARY TO popular belief, your wedding day does not have to be a tremendous financial burden. It is possible to have the beautiful, memorable wedding of your dreams on a budget of just $100, 000.
While some may consider this a small fortune others may deem it a mere drop in the bucket or the cost of the wedding dress alone!
Elegant Weddings, in the business of planning weddings since 1992, insist that a budget of $100,000 is enough to make your special day a resounding success. If these wedding co-ordinators plan a wedding of 50 guests your expenses may consist of the following (all prices are approximations).
It definitely pays to shop around. Finding a fairly inexpensive wedding band can help to keep expenses at a minimum. The Jewellery Collection's prices for wedding bands start at $4,000 for a wedding band of cubic zirconias set in gold, while the price of a genuine diamond ring begins at $12,000 for .9 or .10 kt. If gems are not a priority, plain 10 or 14 kt gold bands are available at Mall Jewellers. Prices start $2,000 for brides and $2,095 for grooms.
Costs can also be reduced considerably if the number of guests is smaller than 50. Rings are also optional. Some couples don't view wedding bands as an absolute necessity. Another way to save money on your big day is to use the same flowers used to decorate the church at the reception area.
Wedding consultants, Victoria House Weddings, also provide competitive wedding packages priced on a per person basis. All their packages include invitations, programmes, decorating, and catering. You can budget at most $1,200 per person, plus an additional $10,000 for the ceremony and a 20 per cent service charge for wait staff. Depending on the time of day you plan to have your wedding, these wedding experts require a minimum of 30 persons for breakfast, 40 persons for brunch, and 50 persons for dinner with prices ranging from $1,000 per person for breakfast, $1,100 for lunch, and $1,200 for dinner respectively. If you have a smaller group it may be wise to consider other options. While they do not provide a gown or suit rental service, bouquets are provided and included in the cost of the ceremony.
The most inexpensive alternative is the Registrar General's Department which offers private weddings at an affordable price. A witness is provided on request and you also have a choice of an indoor private office or outdoor-secluded garden. A Civil Registrar or Marriage Officer performs the ceremony. You receive a certified copy of your marriage certificate before you leave. Weddings cost $3,000 on a weekday and $4,000 on Saturday. Couples are required to obtain a Minister's license (cost: $4,000) from the Ministry of Justice before the ceremony at the RGD.
USEFUL TIPS TO LOWER WEDDING COSTS:
Make a budget and stick with it
Keep things simple. Sometimes simplicity is more elegant. Fancy doesn't necessarily mean better.
Keep your guest list to 50 or under. You really only need your family and closest friends
Make centre-pieces and favours yourself
Don't hire a professional photographer, family pictures can be outstanding and less 'staged' than a picture taken by a pro.
Rent your wedding gown and or tuxedo
If you can, get married in December. Churches are always decorated beautifully for the holiday season.
Have your bridal party pay for or rent their own dresses.
Buy everything on sale to cut back at every possible point
Get three estimates on everything - it is amazing how prices can keep going down.
If someone offers to bake a cake for you, take him or her up on the offer and give him or her gracious thanks.
Forego the expensive diamond wedding ring sets. Ordering simple gold or platinum bands via the Internet can cost a fraction of the price for the same rings at local jewellery stores.
Don't hire a DJ for the reception, they cost too much and sometimes the music may not be to your liking. Playing your own CDs over a good sound system can work just as well.
Get creative. Enlist an artistic friend to help you make invitations and start early.
Hold the reception at a friend or family member's home.
Ask friends to give you your gift as part of the wedding services itself. A few could stock the bar for the party, help with the food, pay for the minister, etc.
