Weddings on a budget becoming popular as economy slows

Sunday, November 30, 2008

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Bride-to-be Jennifer Kreeb is saving money by putting together her own table decorations.

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The economy is affecting nearly everyone these days, and brides and grooms are no exception.

Some couples have canceled their nuptials because they can't afford the bill, but one Bay area bride has found a way to plan her wedding despite worries about a recession.

Bride-to-be Jennifer Kreeb is making her own floral arrangements, which saves her $345. The invitations, programs and place cards are homemade, for a savings of $468. A friend is doing the calligraphy in exchange for a pair of tickets to a USF football game. She's also putting together her own favors and table decorations.

A detailed spreadsheet helps Kreeb keep track of all of the expenses.

"It's a wonderful day," she said. "We want to have it be beautiful, but we don't want to go broke doing it."

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Kreeb is not the only one who feels this way about her wedding. The economy is causing more and more brides to rethink their choice of venue, their guest list and their menus.

Wedding planners are taking note of the trend.

"People are definitely cutting back here and there as much as they can," said Paula Deartiaga, a planner with A-List Events.

Deartiaga said she's had some brides who ended up postponing their weddings for another year, while others have canceled their weddings altogether.

"I had one that canceled completely because the groom lost his job," she said. "I had one that canceled because the bride's father lost his job."

Some budget-wise planning means a lovely wedding doesn't have to be put off until the economy gets better. A few simple tips can help brides- and grooms-to-be save some money:

- Instead of using reply cards with postage, have guests reply online.
- Bring your own liquor instead of using the venue's bar.
- Pick an off-month or day to have the event. Holding a wedding between January and March can mean reduced rental rates.
- Try to choose a site that comes with everything.

The last tip is one that Kreeb followed. Her venue had some additional perks as well.

"They don't charge a facility fee," she said "Some places charge you a room fee."

Deartiaga said extras like that are a sign of the economic times. Venues have been calling her to see if she has any brides lined up, and she said many of them are offering special packages for brides who book weddings with them.