The Woa Cost Factor

As many people know, weddings are expensive. While the reception usually accounts for the majority of the funds, the little details end up costing nearly 40% of the total cost! In light of this, Dave and I have been creatively trying to be cost-effective in those details by focusing on what is most important to us. I have been learning that there are ways to have a beautiful and elegant wedding without breaking the bank!

I thought it would be fun to share some of the most shocking costs I have come across thus far in the planning of the wedding and my plans for trying to avoid these money suckers!

#1. Flowers.
I knew that they were not going to be cheap. However, the average wedding bridal bouquet costs approximately $80-$150 dollars! That does not even include using more exotic flowers such as calla lilies and orchids (which by the way WERE my favourite flowers!). For that price we could stay in a hotel for a night or I could buy a new dress! My initial plan for avoiding this financial set back was to make my own bouquets (with the help of my Mom and Maids), but have been advised against this from a few people. Apparently I may be a bit busy the day before the wedding and don't want this stress. Plan B is to use more cost-effective flowers such as daisies, Fresias, Carnations, and oriental Lilies. Maybe then I could buy only a few orchids and use them as an accent =)

#2. Chair Covers
I love the look of reception chair covers with a sash. However, it costs roughly $3 per chair for a pretty standard white cover not including the sash. This sash could end up costing another $1-2 per chair! This would total $4-5 a chair, which means for 100 guests this would cost $400-500!!!! Opting for no chair covers is not really an option for our venue as the chairs are pretty outdated, so either I cut the sashes or find a cheaper way to get this done. Been thinking about buying materials and making them on my own. Lots of work, but if we can get some cheap material in bulk, it may be worth it?!

#3. Stamps
Traditionally, invites should arrive in the mail. However, with the cost of one stamp being 0.57 cents, I think we will opt for hand-delivery or maybe hire a carrier pigeon (there ARE lots of pigeons in the city!). While this won't be possible for all the guests, several live close by (within walking distance) and I don't think they will mind if there is no stamp. Another way Dave and I have talked about saving money is by having an online response card instead of mailing one. I figure that we could save about $60-70!! Enough money to buy a bouquet!

#4. Jewelery
This was an easy one for me. Rather than buy some new earrings or a necklace, I am hoping to borrow some pieces from family members. To me, it would be very special and would count as my "something borrowed."

#5. Extra, Extra, Extras!
One of the wedding books that Dave and I have been using gave a list of items to buy for the wedding. These seem to Dave and I to be superfluous and unnecessary (at least for our wedding!). Some of these items include:

- Bride's Gloves (It's July...I should be warm enough)
- Bride's Stockings (again...July)
- Rose Petals (how about bubbles?)
- Grooms Cake (Traditionally a fruit cake)
- Special bouquet for tossing (nah...though I reserve the right to change my mind!)
- Cake knife (opting for cupcakes!)
- Toasting glasses (will anyone really notice if our names are not engraved into the side as the book suggests?)
- Guest Book and Pen Holder (they estimated $10-75 for this...wow! We will have a guest book, but not one that costs $75!)

#6. Invitations
I was in the Papery a few days ago and was checking out some of their sample invites. Many were $10+ each! In light of this, we are going to make our own! I think it will be a fun experience, probably filled with paper cuts and ink smudges, but overall I think it will be a nice way to add a personal touch!

These a few of the small costly things that have surprised me thus far. That is all for today.