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You've heard time and time again how expensive summer weddings can be and that throwing a big bash in your backyard will save you tons of dough — but these money-saving tips don't always ring true. Here, four wedding budget myths debunked.
Myth: Summer Weddings Always Cost More
There is so much information telling brides to avoid summer weddings if they want to save money; however, it should be said that this is regional advice, notes Tracie Domino, founder of Tracie Domino Events. "For example, if you want to get hitched in Florida or the Caribbean during the summer, vendors will often bend over backwards for you to make things affordable since very few couples want to put up with the heat and humidity this time of year," she says. "Have an indoor, July wedding in Florida and save thousands!"
Myth: You'll Save Big with a Backyard Wedding
Think throwing a wedding in your backyard will majorly cut down on wedding costs? Think again. As Florida-based wedding planner Aviva Samuels of Kiss The Planner points out, what you might not have taken into consideration is that your house isn't designed to entertain a large crowd. "For starters, the grounds may need additional lighting, and if the house doesn't have adequate power (and it likely won't), a power generator would be needed too," she says. "If you hold the event indoors, you'll likely have to clear and store all your furniture to accommodate tables and chairs. If you do it outdoors, lawns may need to be made level by constructing a platform, swimming pools may need to be covered with lumber to create additional space and a tent may also need to be erected." Add to that the fact that you'll have to rent the tables and chairs. Plus, even if you have big kitchen, an emptied garage or cook's tent will probably need to be furnished with portable stoves, coolers and other cooking devices to cater to such a large crowd.
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Myth: Slashing Your Guest List in Half Will Also Slash Your Total Costs in Half
According to Samuels, another big budget myth is that a wedding for 50 guests will be half the cost of a wedding for 100 guests. "While it's true that caterers charge by the head and more centerpieces means more money, certain set costs will be the same whether you have a small crowd or a large one," she explains. For instance, a DJ, band, photographer and videographer all fall into this category.
Myth: DIY Flower Décor Will Always Be Cheaper
Sure, in theory, DIY flower décor sounds like a great option for brides on a budget. However, it isn't always cheaper, warns Eriko Wadsworth, owner of Annalisa Style Flowers and florist on BloomNation.com. "Some flowers can wilt very quickly if you don't know how to handle them properly, and it can result in last-minute scrambling to find replacements right before the wedding, which can cost you time, money, and sanity," she says. If you're going to go this route though, make sure you have a reliable source to get fresh flowers in the color and quantity you need a few days before your wedding date. "You'll also need a space to keep them in good shape (often somewhere cool), and people who can help you create arrangements a couple days before," Wadsworth notes.