10 THE QUEENS COURIER • BRIDAL • JUNE 23, 2016 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com bridal Cost Cutters BY TRESA ERICKSON It’s no secret. Weddings can cost big bucks, $25,000 or more for the average wedding taking place in the United States today. Unfortunately, not all brides and grooms have that kind of cash to spare, nor do their parents. Fortunately, there are ways to save on wedding costs. Make, make, make! Make as much as you can. Design and print the invitations and programs. Create the decorations and favors. Arrange the bouquets, boutonnieres and centerpieces. Prepare the food for the reception. Sew the dresses and design the veil. There are dozens of patterns available for wedding dresses, s bridesmaid dresses and flower girl dresses. Do, do, do! Do whatever you can yourself. The more professionals you hire, the bigger budget you will need. Save yourself some cash by tackling as much yourself as you can. Take on the duties of wedding planner, decorator and caterer. Do your own hair and makeup. Make all of the arrangements for the honeymoon and drive yourself to the airport. Ask, ask, ask! Enlist the talent of others wherever you can. Forget hiring a live band or artist. Ask your musician friends to do the entertaining in lieu of a wedding gift. Forget hiring a baker and caterer. Simplify the menu for your reception, make as much of the food as you can and enlist the talented cake bakers and cooks in your family to do the rest. Forget hiring an officiant and stylist. Ask a friend to become ordained online so they can perform your nuptials. Ask your bridesmaids to assist you with your makeup and hair. Think thrifty. Select a less popular date and time to save on vendor costs. Borrow linens and silver from friends to save on rental costs. Choose flowers that are in season and supplement them with artificial blooms. Or, better yet, skip the fresh flowers in favor of inexpensive artificial flowers and feathers. Go for the designer wedding cake, but request a small one for the cake table and less expensive sheet cakes for guests. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on your wedding. You can cut costs considerably just by being willing to make some compromises, do some things yourself and seek the help of others. And, don’t forget. Vendors want your business, so don’t be afraid to bargain with them. If you can’t afford something, say so and see if a solution can be worked out. You might still be able to serve your guests veal parmigiana. It just might not feature all of the organic ingredients you would like. Mention “QUEENS COURIER” 10% DISCOUNT! Queens Botanical Garden is a stunning location for your ceremony and reception. for An intimate setting framed by flowering plants, wood bridges, and gazebo, and enclosed by a white picket fence, the Wedding Garden gracefully blends elements of Eastern and Western garden design, and bursts with the brilliant palette of changing seasons. Reception spaces are available in our magnificent Cherry Circle, Oak Allee, or Auditorium, just steps away. Come see for yourself! Appointments are required. Contact Ebony Wiggins, Special Events & Rental Manager, at ewiggins@queensbotanical.org or 718.886.3800 ext 201. Queens Botanical Garden | 43-50 Main Street, Flushing, NY, 11355 | queensbotanical.org
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