The bulk of the wedding budget usually goes to the expenses at the wedding reception. But if the budget is tight and the couple did not wish to begin their marriage with a tremendous debt, the party after the completion of the marriage ceremony must be planned frugally. The good news is that it is possible to have a first-class reception within a reasonable budget. In fact, there are only three major things to focus on. These are location, menu, and decorations.
Location
In selecting the location for the wedding reception, there are two important factors to consider. These are the number of guests and the weather. Considering the number of guests is obvious, you simply don’t want the guests to feel claustrophobic because there are too many people inside a small room. At the same time, you want your guests to mingle with each other without needing to walk half a mile to get to another person. Weather is also important, especially when you are having an outdoor reception. If the wedding is during winter, then the location is obviously indoors. But if the wedding would be held during the unpredictable seasons of spring and fall, then it would be prudent to rethink an outdoor reception.
After estimating the size of the location that will be needed for a reception, the couple can focus on the budget. Where exactly will they hold the wedding reception? There are several affordable options. The one topping the list is in the backyard. The couple can have it in their own backyard or a friend’s backyard. If a backyard is not feasible, the next best option is the local park. Most parks have areas that can be rented for less than a hundred dollars for the whole day. Of course, this might mean that there would be a need to rent chairs and tables for the guests. An alternative to the park is a clubhouse. It already has chairs, tables, and even a kitchen. Renting a clubhouse, however, can be a little bit more expensive.
Menu
The wedding reception will not be complete without food but the couple should not feel obligated to serve gourmet fare or three-course meals. There is also no need to hire a chef because there are several options available. If the reception is held in a restaurant, then the food can be chosen from that restaurant. This option, admittedly, is not the least expensive. If the reception is at a park, a home, or a clubhouse, a local company can cater the reception. The most affordable option, however, is to have someone, such as mother, sister, friend, or relative, take care of the menu. If the couple needs to decide on the menu, the major thing to focus on is the main food, which can be pasta or chicken. The rest can be hors d’ oeuvres.
Decorations
Decorations can be very expensive especially when the couple hires a professional to do the job. The best approach to keep expenses low is to ask the help of a friend, or cousin, who has a creative flair. Another way to save on decorations is to use affordable alternative materials or get decorations from a local craft store. Flowers, of course, should be present. But the wedding reception need not look like a garden. A few flowers here and there would suffice. These flowers should also be in season to curb costs.
Source by Paul Jones
