Penny pinching without getting cheap, quick guide in cost control - SERENITEA CATERING blog at BridesClub.com

The wedding of your dreams may be affordable, it just takes some creative planning. You don't have to settle. Making a list of things you absolutely want is a good start.

How many people do you intead of having at your wedding?
Most caterers charge a per person price, this controls a lot of the cost. Ask if there is a child's price as well, this will help lower the overall bill. Serenitea Catering offers a huge meal plan for the price, making sure you're guests are very well fed, and includes a chocolate fountain or two, at every booked event.

Does the reception place allow outside vendors?
Why, because a lot of inhouse vendors charge whatever they want because you have to buy through them, whether it's catering, the bar, or inhouse vendors. Limiting your choices.

Leftover wedding cake?
A wedding cake is one of the most important center pieces of the wedding, as well as one of the most costly. When it comes down to buying the correct size for your reception, factor in that not all your guests will eat cake, some due to diabetes, or other medical reasoning. There is nothing sadder than a half eaten cake going in the garbage at the end of the event.

Honeymoon planning?
I book a lot of my own travel. I use the travel agency as a tool to combine things that I am interested in doing on my vacations. I come up with a plan, and see if thier plan can beat mine in price. Know when the "Off season" is to the destination you are going, and you can end up saving a lot of money. Summer is a peak time for travel in most of the world. If I want to go to Japan in the middle of July, it will run me $1200 a person. If I changed my trip plans to the first week of March, it goes down to $600 a person for round trip through United Airlines.

You are planning a wedding, you'll be able to research airfare, hotel, travel, tourist attractions and things to do on your own as well. Travel agencies can sometimes beat the packages, but it's always good to have a plan A and B.

Photographer?
This is one area I would shop around for. There are a lot of people that think they can take a picture by pointing and clicking, but handing someone expensive paint, will not make a beautiful picture. Examine their work, and compare. Tell them what you want in a package, and the amount you are willing to pay.

Look for a photographer that takes pictures with multiple cameras. This is suppose to be one of the most important day of your life, don't let your cousin take your professional pictures if they don't know the difference between an apature and a lens.

Having a secondary "candid" person taking your pictures is always a good idea. If they have a digital camera, they can see what was taken and delete the ones that come out weird. This is a backup plan.

Bridal showers?
Have a party, like a Pampered Chef, Party Lite, Home Interiors and host it yourself to earn free products, or give your lady friends an idea of what you want for wedding gifts.

What to ask for on your registry?
Think of what you and your future to be already has, and make a list of things that you need and want, not just want. If you are going to use that fancy waffle make once, is it really a great thing to put on your list? Gift cards are always a good idea, this let's you shop for the things you want, at a time you are ready to incorperate it into your household.

Hope this helps!

Serenitea Catering and Bar Services
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