Wedding - Top 5 Money Wasters at your wedding - planning your wedding day

Top 5 Money Wasters at a wedding

After a recent survey the majority of Brides questioned listed these as a waste of money.

1. Favours. Don’t waste a lot of money on things that will simply end up being binned.
Meaningless and expensive nick knacks are such a waste of money time and energy. Do your friends really need a packet of sugared almonds (OK traditional at Italian weddings but then they buy them in bulk and use them like confetti (Yes it really hurts). What use is a cheap plastic key ring printed with the Bride and Groom’s names and the date of the wedding?
On the other hand a small box of delicious chocolate will go down well (especially with the photographer if any are left over). Why not produce something really personal and beautiful – for example a small book of poems or favourite recipes.


2. Tacky presents. For the Best man, ushers, bridesmaids, great aunt Floss who made the confetti – the list and range of rubbish is endless. Either be prepared to spend a decent amount on sensible presents or, again, make them something really personal.

3. Huge, Expensive flashy designer wedding cakes. Some people order a cake that would feed 300 people when there are only 50 guests??????? If you (or dad) really wants to impress why not consider enlarging the apparent size of the cake with fresh flowers between the layers or a tiered floral arrangement.

4. Too many Keepsakes. The wedding suppliers love to make money out of you by selling you mementoes to “pass down to your children” WHY the kids wont be remotely interested. By all means put together a wedding album but is there space in your home (or life) for a preserved wedding dress, embalmed bridal bouquet, monogrammed picture frame or engraved toasting glass.

5. Too many Bridesmaids and Groomsmen. Our record to date is 10 Bridesmaids, 2 Best Men and 17 (SEVENTEEN) Ushers. Even then the Groom said “17 Bl##@y ushers and not one on the door” as the 300 plus guests were arriving!!!!!!!! Mind you I understand that the “usher’s lunch” before the wedding was quiet a sight. Even if your not paying for the suit hire (they all owned their own morning suits and top hats - Ascot don’t you know) the thank you presents, bouquets, button holes, ushers lunch and so on all add up.

Article & photos by Mike Watts.

Www.MichaelDWatts.com

Please feel free to re-produce with a by-line

ENJOY YOUR DAY

Check out my website at http://www.michaeldwatts.com/ - fill in the contact form and receive a Free Wedding Guide.

Wedding - What matters to you on your wedding day

What matters to you (And your other half to be)?

You could print out 2 copies of this and fill them in independently then discuss the results (try not to fall out at this stage or I

might feel really responsible).

Rate the following from 10 (very important) to 1 (don’t give a damn)

____ Appearance – the bling, Flowers, Decorations, mood etc.

____ Clothes – what you and your guests wear, jeans and sandals to Top hat and tails.

____ Family & Friends.

____ Religion – the spiritual side of you wedding, church etc.

____ Food

____ Booze – Do you do a booze cruise or buy cases of Verve Cliqot.

____ Music – Disco or big band.

____ Convenience – for you or your guests.

____ Photography – You see I’ve put it at the bottom even though it will be all you have left to remember the day.

When you look back at your wedding what do you most want to remember?

____ Romance. – how romantic the day was.

____ Beautiful. – how beautiful it all was.

____ Exciting. – How much excitement you remember.

____ Smooth running – How easily and smoothly the day went.

____ Parents and family _ How happy they were.

____ Formal – How formal the day was.

Circle several words that you think will describe your wedding.

Romantic – religious – Casual – Classic – Classy – Loving – Posh – Glamorous – Relaxed – Formal – Themed - Budget – Luxurious

– Old fashioned – Sporty – Evening – Cute – Solemn – Traditional - Cheap.

List three other words that might describe your day.

_________ __________ __________

Budget – Even if you haven’t worked out your budget yet put some preliminary thoughts down now :-

How much might you spend.

Up to £1000.00

£1,000 to £5,000

£5,000 to £10,000

£10,000 to £20,000

£20,000 to £50,000

If you’re thinking of spending more than that you will probably be paying someone to sort it all out for you.

When are you thinking of getting married :- Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter?

On a special day, holiday, anniversary etc? __________

Have you thought about what the weather might be doing and where you would go if it’s wet, windy etc?

Have you thought of a theme for the day – What ______________

Have you though about a c9olour theme - List your choices._____________________

Now look at our wedding planner and start making some decisions.

Article & photos by Mike Watts.

Www.MichaelDWatts.com

ENJOY YOUR DAY

Check out my website at http://www.michaeldwatts.com/ - fill in the contact form and receive a Free Wedding Guide.