Event & Wedding Budgets. How do you cut some cost?

Centerpieces by A Memory Lane Event

If you plan on feeding your guests in any kind of manner the food and liquor will without a doubt will be your biggest expense. If your having a wedding with a budget of $20,000 or less, this will probably be at least half your budget. Typically, if you invite 100 people, your looking at $10,000 minimum. That is for the food, minimal liquor, tables, chairs, forks, knives, linens, food and serving. Obviously there are exceptions i.e. have a park wedding where you grill the meal yourself or the despised potluck type meal. Restaurants are less expensive in some ways.

The biggest and most significant way to save money is to cut your guest list. In some cases it can save you hundreds of dollars a person. But things like cake, food, reception space, ceremony space, transportation, DIY projects, and more all add up very quickly per person. The guest list is in most cases the hardest to come up with especially if your parents or a significant person in your life is contributing money. So coming up with a guest list(just the two of you) and then talking to others in the family about it is the best course of action.

Some services are not affected by the amount of people like photography or music, though if your guest count is close to 200 people or more it starts affecting everything).

Cutting guests from the guest list

Easy people to cut:

Do not say “And Guest” on the RSVP card. The rule is if you have been living with or are in a committed relationship of more than 6 months (and I have met said person) I specifically added their name to their invitation. No confusion.

Children. We all love children, but you should be aware that allowing your guests to bring their children does count towards your guest count. In some cases adding 20 or more people to our guest list. The best way to deal with this is to specifically invite a handful of children we were close to.

Day time events and weddings during the week

= smaller guest count

Hard people to cut:

Family friends. If your trying to have a wedding with 50 or less people, most likely, your going to have to severally limit your parents friends. Talking with your parents about this and previously having a stated guest list of 50 or less is helpful when you hear “But Aunt Betty knitted you a baby blanket and we have worked together for 11 years!” You can easily bring up the budgeted for guest list. Let the people swapping on the guest list begin.

Extended family. Why are we inviting people that you or your finance have never met! When wanting a small wedding, sometimes family dynamics are beyond your control particularly if you dont want tons of drama. You should consult with parents, sibs, etc. about who they are worried about. Cutting extended family can be really hard and can hurt some people. You must also remain strong when parents, siblings and close extended family push the line on the “people who should be invited” list.

Friends. Family seems to take up 80-90% of guest lists. So you have very limited space for friends. Childhood friends and current friends can be tricky

What to expect in pricing from vendors

Florist price ranges can be anywhere between $600-the sky is the limit based upon your floral choices and delivery

Professional Photographers can be anywhere between $600-$6,000 depending on your package choices & desires for the day.

Cakes. Most bakeries for a wedding cake begin at $5 per slice. Yes it is per slice. This price depending upon your flavor and filling choices can go up as high as $15 per slice.

Planner & Coordinators. At the least you should consider Day of services to assist you with the enevitable that can occur on the day of. In Denver planner and coordinator fees range between $500 for an inexperienced and $1500 for a Luxury Coordinator.

DJ's and Band prices can range between $700 to $3,000 for a 4 hour window

Locations: Pricing all depends upon what you can not live with out and what your vision for the day is. Little cottages start at $1000 for a 6 hour time slot where if you're looking at renting a location like a Cathedral starting rental is $1500 for a two hour window. Some locations will charge a smaller venue rental fee when you use them for food and liquor services.

Event & Wedding Dresses

You can look on E-Bay for great deals on clothes. Be sure to check your measurements before you purchase to be sure that the clothes you purchase will fit. We also have partnerships with a couple bridal salons that have amazing pricing and amazing service. Order your dresses at least 4 months in advance so any last minute alternations can be made. Remember that wedding dresses actually run small compared to department stores. Depending upon the type of dress that you are looking for expect to spend between $500-$10,000.

More Cost savings

Some of the best cost savings is when you have multiple uses for the same design element. Such as you can have your centerpiece double as your favor for your guests. I.e. cake “lollipops can be placed in a vase with tissue paper. When you cut the cake your guests can either have their cake from the table at that time or can take it home with them as a favor.” You can have the floral from the church also be used at the reception hall. The bridal table(s) instead of centerpieces can be the bridesmaids bouquets combined on the table in what looks like one arrangement.


We can assist you with any of the above and several of the vendors that we work with will do price breaks for our clients. This savings can be up to $5,000 alone.

Call us now for your complimentary phone consultation. Jennifer 303-513-2364 or email us for information on your event or wedding.

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