Pre-Wedding Events-Get the Parties Started for Less
Article 13 in 20 on Save Thousands on Your Wedding
Pre-Wedding Events:
Get the Parties Started for Less
A limited budget doesn't mean you have to limit the fun at bachelor and bachelorette parties and your rehearsal dinner. These occasions can still be memorable and enjoyable without costing an arm and a leg.
The months and weeks leading up to your wedding will be filled with celebrations - which means more expenses (either for you or for your bridal party). But there are ways to have fun and inexpensive celebrations, including bachelor and bachelorette parties and the rehearsal dinner. (Be sure to pass this information on to your Maid or Matron of Honor and Best Man, since the bachelor and bachelorette parties are usually their responsibility!)
Rehearsal Dinner
If you're working with a limited budget, your rehearsal dinner doesn't have to be some grand formal thing at a restaurant or catering hall. Some of the best rehearsal dinners are relaxed backyard barbecues which allow people to really get to know each other. It can even be a potluck or pizza and wings. You can also check into reserving a church hall and do a theme dinner. Ask family and friends to help prepare Mexican or Italian food (both options are fairly inexpensive and can usually be purchased in bulk from places such as Sam's Club). No matter what you decide, definitely do have a rehearsal dinner - it's your opportunity to thank all the people who made your wedding day possible.
Bachelorette Party
First of all, make sure all invitees are on the same page when it comes to who pays for what. Obviously, the bride-to-be should not have to spend a dime, so while you're in the planning stages, make sure everyone agrees to split the costs involved.
The largest expenses you will have are food and drinks and, if you want to have a really fun girl's night out, a nice hotel room (remember, since you're splitting the cost with everyone who attends, minus the bride-to-be, it can be affordable for everyone). If you want to save on dinner, think about having a potluck at someone's house beforehand, and have everyone bring a dish. It's a fun, casual way to start off the evening before beginning your night of celebrating.
As for the night itself, some brides-to-be want to do the whole bar scene. If you make inexpensive t-shirts or veils (you can do this at the potluck earlier in the evening), and everyone wears them, sometimes other bar patrons will buy you some drinks (how's that for inexpensive!). Otherwise, be sure to budget for drinks...and definitely arrange for a designated driver beforehand.
Another idea is to have a spa night. You can actually go to a spa, but to save money, do it at someone's house or rent a hotel room. Ask each of the invitees to bring their favorite beauty treatment (for facials, manicures, pedicures) and then share them with others throughout the night. Just add wine, cheese and other munchies, and maybe some favorite movies, and you've got the makings of a very enjoyable evening.
Bachelor Party
Bachelor parties were originally intended to give a guy one last opportunity to sow his wild oats before getting married, and was a night filled with things that are probably best left unsaid. But today's bachelor parties are no longer the wild and crazy events they once were. For many grooms-to-be, it's really just a chance to hang out with friends and calm any pre-wedding jitters, and there are plenty of low-cost and PG-rated options to choose from: go bowling (losing team pays for pitchers), have a poker night or sports night (plan the party to coincide with a big game and meet at someone's home or a sports bar) or have a barbeque bash.
Combined Bachelor/Bachelorette Party
A popular trend in recent years is the combined bachelor-bachelorette party. Many couples are still interested in one last bash before they get married, but they're choosing to do it by bringing all of their friends together for a party. It is usually the duty of the Best Man and Maid or Matron of honor to plan this type of event, so if this interests you, be sure to discuss it with them. This party can be anything from a potluck, barbeque, pool party or beach party, to reserving a room at a restaurant or bar. The choice is really up to you!
Don't let a limited budget curtail your pre-wedding celebrations. There are lots of fun and inexpensive options you can incorporate into your celebrations that make them fun, inexpensive and memorable.
Like this page?
URL:
 |
www.KeepandShare.com © Copyrights 2006-2008, KeepandShare, All Rights Reserved |
