| YOUR CEREMONY RESOURCE IN ST LOUIS MISSOURI AND METRO EAST ILLINOIS (314) 821-4844 E-mail: info@WeddingLiaison.com Copyright © 2009 Carolyn Burke - Wedding Liaison |
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Low Budget Elegant Wedding Planning
St Louis, MO - Many weddings can be planned more economically. "I think couples are given a budget and they are managing
their dollars better," said Carolyn Burke - Wedding Liaison (www.WeddingLiaison.com). She provides couples with ceremony
planning and design in the St Louis Metropolitan Area. Picking and choosing and prioritizing what is most important to them.
She states, "Just don't get caught up in the hype. You have to be more logical in your approach, and I think then you will do a
better job of saving money."
Among the ways to save is holding the wedding and reception in the same location, to avoid paying for two venues. Burke has
a resource guide with over 425 event locations and more then 150 places of worship (like churches that allow non-members).
This can also eliminate the expense of having a limousine transport the bride, groom and wedding party from one location to
the next. Another way to save is to have someone pick up the flowers instead of paying to have them delivered.
Couples are not alone in these tough economic times. When it comes to weddings, less is the new more.
Burke said couples are finding ways to cut costs for the big day without cutting corners. The most common thing they are
cutting is the number of people on the guest list.
"My clients really look at their guest lists," she said. "I tell them if you wouldn't have these people into your home, why pay
$100 per person for them to eat and drink someplace else? They can still get the wedding they want but with less people," she
said. "It's all about quality versus quantity."
Though her customers' budgets are sometimes smaller, business overall is great for Burke. "I am busier now than I have ever
been. I think people are hiring consultants because they are seeing the value of us being able to help manage their budget,"
she said. "We do this several times a year; couples do this once."
If you don't care about every little detail and making it perfect, no one else is going to care either," Burke said.
The newlyweds can put the money they saved towards their home or even the honeymoon.
Carolyn Burke helps couples in all budgets. Brides and grooms from both ends of the spectrum are finding ways to save money.
Everyone is just trying to be more cost-conscious because of the economy. If you spend less money, it's less stress," she said.
"When you're in the mind-set already and you're counting every detail, you just realize how everything adds up. You kind of
realize, if you don't spend a lot of money on flowers it will be fine. It just puts it in perspective."
Regardless of the bridal budget, every couple has to set priorities. Carolyn Burke - Wedding Liaison offers some suggestions
and her business thrives on helping couples find low budget to moderate wedding resources. "There are as many ways to
scrimp as there are to break the bank," Burke advises. The key is knowing where to do each. One caveat: Don't ever leave
guests hungry, tired, cold or waiting in long lines.
Here are Burke's 10 favorite ways to manage costs:
1. Trim the guest list. Your cost per head is your biggest expense.
2. Choose a gorgeous setting for the wedding, and you can save a bundle on decorations.
3. Choose a hotel, golf club or restaurant for the reception, and you won't have to rent tables, chairs and flatware.
You can even have the ceremony and reception in the same venue.
4. Start earlier in the day. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or heavy appetizers cost less than dinner.
Guests will drink less, lowering your liquor costs.
5. Limit alcohol to wine, beer and a signature cocktail. Sangria or punch are festive, cost-effective alternatives to mixed drinks.
6. Have the wedding on Friday, Sunday or even a weekday. Vendors lower their fees for days that are less in-demand.
7. Eliminate the champagne toast; guests can toast with whatever they're drinking.
8. Instead of hiring a band, enlist a great DJ or load an iPod with your favorite tunes.
9. Do-It-Yourself invitations you can print at home.
With clever design, you can still get great effects for less than letter-press or engraving.
10. Skip favors. Write personal notes instead.
their dollars better," said Carolyn Burke - Wedding Liaison (www.WeddingLiaison.com). She provides couples with ceremony
planning and design in the St Louis Metropolitan Area. Picking and choosing and prioritizing what is most important to them.
She states, "Just don't get caught up in the hype. You have to be more logical in your approach, and I think then you will do a
better job of saving money."
Among the ways to save is holding the wedding and reception in the same location, to avoid paying for two venues. Burke has
a resource guide with over 425 event locations and more then 150 places of worship (like churches that allow non-members).
This can also eliminate the expense of having a limousine transport the bride, groom and wedding party from one location to
the next. Another way to save is to have someone pick up the flowers instead of paying to have them delivered.
Couples are not alone in these tough economic times. When it comes to weddings, less is the new more.
Burke said couples are finding ways to cut costs for the big day without cutting corners. The most common thing they are
cutting is the number of people on the guest list.
"My clients really look at their guest lists," she said. "I tell them if you wouldn't have these people into your home, why pay
$100 per person for them to eat and drink someplace else? They can still get the wedding they want but with less people," she
said. "It's all about quality versus quantity."
Though her customers' budgets are sometimes smaller, business overall is great for Burke. "I am busier now than I have ever
been. I think people are hiring consultants because they are seeing the value of us being able to help manage their budget,"
she said. "We do this several times a year; couples do this once."
If you don't care about every little detail and making it perfect, no one else is going to care either," Burke said.
The newlyweds can put the money they saved towards their home or even the honeymoon.
Carolyn Burke helps couples in all budgets. Brides and grooms from both ends of the spectrum are finding ways to save money.
Everyone is just trying to be more cost-conscious because of the economy. If you spend less money, it's less stress," she said.
"When you're in the mind-set already and you're counting every detail, you just realize how everything adds up. You kind of
realize, if you don't spend a lot of money on flowers it will be fine. It just puts it in perspective."
Regardless of the bridal budget, every couple has to set priorities. Carolyn Burke - Wedding Liaison offers some suggestions
and her business thrives on helping couples find low budget to moderate wedding resources. "There are as many ways to
scrimp as there are to break the bank," Burke advises. The key is knowing where to do each. One caveat: Don't ever leave
guests hungry, tired, cold or waiting in long lines.
Here are Burke's 10 favorite ways to manage costs:
1. Trim the guest list. Your cost per head is your biggest expense.
2. Choose a gorgeous setting for the wedding, and you can save a bundle on decorations.
3. Choose a hotel, golf club or restaurant for the reception, and you won't have to rent tables, chairs and flatware.
You can even have the ceremony and reception in the same venue.
4. Start earlier in the day. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or heavy appetizers cost less than dinner.
Guests will drink less, lowering your liquor costs.
5. Limit alcohol to wine, beer and a signature cocktail. Sangria or punch are festive, cost-effective alternatives to mixed drinks.
6. Have the wedding on Friday, Sunday or even a weekday. Vendors lower their fees for days that are less in-demand.
7. Eliminate the champagne toast; guests can toast with whatever they're drinking.
8. Instead of hiring a band, enlist a great DJ or load an iPod with your favorite tunes.
9. Do-It-Yourself invitations you can print at home.
With clever design, you can still get great effects for less than letter-press or engraving.
10. Skip favors. Write personal notes instead.
| Carolyn Burke - Wedding Liaison All Couples ~ All Faiths ~ All Budgets Saint Louis MO and Metro East IL (314) 821-4844 |