For the years we are all waiting to find our special "other half" and when we do so, we want to have THE most unforgettable and memorable wedding. Sometimes this may seem a little hard, especially when it comes to the actual budget planning.
There are hundreds of details that need to be organised and paid for, there are also hundreds of suppliers with different prices and services. That's why I will share few secrets and tips, to help you avoid confusion and stress when it comes to the financial side of your wedding.
1. The best money saver is to have your wedding during the off-peak season. This would typically be the months of February and November. If you have any special or sentimental dates in February and November why not get married during those months? February 14th is Valentine's day and is an absolutely perfect choice, especially if it lands on a week day. Venue's, including the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel, usually give a great discount for off-peak dates, plus if it's a week day, you'll get an excellent bargain.
2. You can save big on invitations. For my own wedding, I had only five months to plan and organise everything. I had guests coming from many countries, so you can imagine how difficult it would have been with posting out the invitations.
In order to avoid that, J just went online and downloaded an invitation template. There are hundreds of fantastic templates you can choose from., including Martha Stewart's beautiful layouts with her name at the bottom. You can add the text, email it to your guests and get your RSVP back by email too.
3. Be absolutely ruthless with your guest list. This is a big dilemma for all the brides. You invite one person and then in the fear that others will get upset, you end up inviting nine other guests. Try to keep your guests to an even number as that is easy to manage with regards to the table plan and travelling. Simply decreasing your guest numbers from 200 to 150 can have a dramatic impact on your catering and bar bill.
Here's a small chart of questions to help you decide whom to invite.
There are hundreds of details that need to be organised and paid for, there are also hundreds of suppliers with different prices and services. That's why I will share few secrets and tips, to help you avoid confusion and stress when it comes to the financial side of your wedding.
1. The best money saver is to have your wedding during the off-peak season. This would typically be the months of February and November. If you have any special or sentimental dates in February and November why not get married during those months? February 14th is Valentine's day and is an absolutely perfect choice, especially if it lands on a week day. Venue's, including the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel, usually give a great discount for off-peak dates, plus if it's a week day, you'll get an excellent bargain.
2. You can save big on invitations. For my own wedding, I had only five months to plan and organise everything. I had guests coming from many countries, so you can imagine how difficult it would have been with posting out the invitations.
In order to avoid that, J just went online and downloaded an invitation template. There are hundreds of fantastic templates you can choose from., including Martha Stewart's beautiful layouts with her name at the bottom. You can add the text, email it to your guests and get your RSVP back by email too.
3. Be absolutely ruthless with your guest list. This is a big dilemma for all the brides. You invite one person and then in the fear that others will get upset, you end up inviting nine other guests. Try to keep your guests to an even number as that is easy to manage with regards to the table plan and travelling. Simply decreasing your guest numbers from 200 to 150 can have a dramatic impact on your catering and bar bill.
Here's a small chart of questions to help you decide whom to invite.
4. Go around the shops after Christmas and Valentine's time. This is perfect opportunity to get fabulous wedding decorations on sale and save on floral arrangements and expensive decor.
5. Take advantage of your wedding high-costs and sign up for a rewards program or loyalty cards. There are some things that you just have to spend money on, so whether it gives you miles to fly, shopping deals or discounts, you'll be able to accumulate thousands of reward points and who knows maybe they'll become really handy for your honeymoon.
6. Be creative when it comes to your wedding entertainment. You can buy one of those smart phone speakers, put you android, iPod or player in it and play your favourite tracks instead of the DJ.
On our wedding day we had a few games and competitions, one of my favourite was that we ripped apart our photo, gave different pieces to our guests and they had to re-create that photo piece into a painting. At the end we put together the whole four foot painting completed by 17 of our guests. It's a great memory and a gift which is decorating our wall right now.
7. When you are planning to save, it is also very important to know where to save and where to give. You don't want to save on make up per se and find your mascara running down your face after an hour.
Spend on the most memorable parts of the day. Food and entertainment will linger in your guests memory, while chair bows and backdrops will be less noticed. Don't try to save on your wedding dress, make up and hair though, because your wedding photos will become the longest memory of your special day, so you want to make sure, you look at your best.
Don't forget the most important thing, if you're unsure, ASK! we, as a venue here realise that we have to be most honest and trustworthy for our couples. We have deals with great photographers, bands and florists, therefore, we always try to get the best price from them for our couples.
And at last, but not least, one of the best ways to save for your wedding is to come in our hotel and choose our brand new €65 package. It is all-inclusive package and when we say all- inclusive, we really mean it. And on the top of everything we will book and pay for band, DJ AND a sweet cart with all your favourite sweets.
And as always, if you have any questions or comments, I'll be delighted to hear from you.
Call us on 056 775 0208
5. Take advantage of your wedding high-costs and sign up for a rewards program or loyalty cards. There are some things that you just have to spend money on, so whether it gives you miles to fly, shopping deals or discounts, you'll be able to accumulate thousands of reward points and who knows maybe they'll become really handy for your honeymoon.
6. Be creative when it comes to your wedding entertainment. You can buy one of those smart phone speakers, put you android, iPod or player in it and play your favourite tracks instead of the DJ.
On our wedding day we had a few games and competitions, one of my favourite was that we ripped apart our photo, gave different pieces to our guests and they had to re-create that photo piece into a painting. At the end we put together the whole four foot painting completed by 17 of our guests. It's a great memory and a gift which is decorating our wall right now.
7. When you are planning to save, it is also very important to know where to save and where to give. You don't want to save on make up per se and find your mascara running down your face after an hour.
Spend on the most memorable parts of the day. Food and entertainment will linger in your guests memory, while chair bows and backdrops will be less noticed. Don't try to save on your wedding dress, make up and hair though, because your wedding photos will become the longest memory of your special day, so you want to make sure, you look at your best.
Don't forget the most important thing, if you're unsure, ASK! we, as a venue here realise that we have to be most honest and trustworthy for our couples. We have deals with great photographers, bands and florists, therefore, we always try to get the best price from them for our couples.
And at last, but not least, one of the best ways to save for your wedding is to come in our hotel and choose our brand new €65 package. It is all-inclusive package and when we say all- inclusive, we really mean it. And on the top of everything we will book and pay for band, DJ AND a sweet cart with all your favourite sweets.
And as always, if you have any questions or comments, I'll be delighted to hear from you.
Call us on 056 775 0208