ENGAGING THOUGHTS...

From the editor's desk

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March; in like a lion and out like a lamb. As the weather clears and winter gives way to spring, we began to look forward to the follow is the busiest time of year for the wedding industry.

Part of my job as a wedding planner is to think of ways to save my clients money and maximize their budgets.  There are many cost saving techniques that many brides either don't think of or don't know they exist.  There are the most usual ways of stretching your budget such as limiting alcohol at the reception, having a midweek ceremony and using a DJ instead of band.  But geography can make all the difference too.

We all know all know destination weddings in the Caribbean are less expensive than most East Coast affairs.  However, many locations can not accommodate groups larger than 20-50 people and many invited guest may not be able to travel to destination weddings.  Another cost saving alternative may be to have a wedding in a nearby less expensive location.  For example there is a dramatic difference in catering rates between New York and Philadelphia.

Moreover, if you reside in a high cost region of the country say, New York or San Francisco, outsourcing certain functions to other parts of the country can save you loads.  One area in mind is calligraphy.  In the New York metropolitan area, the average outer envelope rate ranges from $6.00-$9.00 for up to four lines.  However in areas throughout the South and Midwest, that same service drops to about $1.50 -$3.00 per envelope.  That can mean a savings of $150.00-$600.00 if you were inviting 100 guests.  The savings are even greater if you are sending out more invites.  Concerned about sending something so important so far out of your reach?  Given that many calligraphers allow you to pay online and send a sample prior to starting the job; this is a task that can be handled remotely with little or no hiccups.

Here's to your future!