Unless you are one of the few brides fortunate enough to be dealing with an unlimited budget, you have been faced with the dilemma so familiar to us all: where to cut costs and where to splurge? This question has created a great deal of undue stress on every couple attempting to plan their perfect day without taking having to bury themselves underneath a mountain of debt. One area of the budget in which it has proven simple to cut costs without detracting from the elegance and style of the wedding lies within the bridal party—the bridesmaids.
One obvious expense involved in the female attendants is their attire. This can easily be lessened, however, by one simple phenomenon that occurs without fail every year: prom season! Picking a bridesmaid gown from the plethora of choices you will find in many stores in the months approaching April can save you around $100-$200. These dresses are every bit as formal and beautiful as bridesmaids’ gowns found in your local bridal shops, only priced to fit within high school budgets! Stores such as Sears, JC Penney, Maurices, and many others offer a wide variety of gowns at very low prices. Even better, wait until after prom, when the aforementioned gowns go on clearance at these stores. It is possible to find a $139 prom gown for under $50 at this time of year. If your bridesmaids are purchasing their own gowns, they will appreciate the savings as well—their investment into your wedding is an all too often overlooked aspect.
Accessories for the bridal party are also found discounted at this time of year. Everything from jewelry to gloves and hair ornaments can be found at a wide variety of stores, including your run-of-the-mill department stores. Doing a little research to find these deals will prove worthwhile in the end. Keep in mind that all of these items are going to be priced low enough for a high schooler to afford.
As for the bouquets that your bridesmaids will carry, these too can be simplified greatly. They are not to be as elaborate as yours, after all, and the simpler you make theirs, the more elegant yours will look in contrast. This can cut costs on yours as well, because even a minimal bridal bouquet can be made to look lavish next to even more basic bridesmaids’. Try to use flowers that are in season (they need not be the same used in yours, only complement them), and use few of them. Even a single, long-stemmed rose can make a dramatic statement. Having your bridesmaids carry a solitary bloom with a ribbon wrapped up the stem can look just as striking as something more complicated and expensive.
A final thought on cutting back involves the bridesmaids’ gifts. Instead of getting them each a generic engraved compact, look for things specifically suited to their tastes. If one of your bridesmaids loves big band music, look in antique shops and secondhand stores, or even on e-Bay, for an old record of Benny Goodman’s or Glenn Miller’s. If one of them loves dogs, get her a book full of photographs of them from your local bookstore or online. Pay close attention to any collections or hobbies they may have; perhaps you could add to them. These gifts will have more meaning to the bridesmaids, and will more than likely save you money in the long run.
In a world where money is often tighter than we’d like, it is important to know where to find bargains. When looking at where to cut back on budget, keep in mind that the bridesmaids’ portion of budget can be narrowed without cheapening the overall look and effect of your wedding.
No comments:
Post a Comment