Eventfully Yours

4 Tips for Planning On a Budget

As much as I would love to throw myself a fabulous event aboard a million dollar yacht off the coast of some exotic locale, but let's face it, I can't afford it.  For those of you who are like me and have dreams that are much bigger than your bank account, the following tips will still keep your events fabulous, but still affordable.

• Recycle and Reuse:

• If you know someone who has just recently gotten married or held some type of event, ask if they have any items left over that you can use such as silk flowers, votive holders or vases.
• Look around you house for items that you can use to add some personal touches to your decor.  Things like picture frames and old vases can be used to create unique centerpieces.
• Most florists charge a rental fee for the use of any of their items that they use for your event.  Offer up your own vases and cut some of your costs there.
• Find new uses for different things.  Old costumes can become decorations.  Extra fabric can become linens or napkins.
• Not only are you helping your pockets,but you are also helping the environment as well.
• Go Intimate
  • Cut your guest list, if possible down to your closet family and friends.  Easier said than done, I know, but this can save you money on everything from invitations, catering, centerpieces and more.  In my opinion, you can do so much more with a small intimate affair especially with decor and favors.
• Partner Up
  • If you and a friend or a family share a birthday or just want to have a party, do it together!  Double your resources, double your funds, and double your pleasure! (I couldn't resist)
• Party on an Off Day
  • If you plan on using a banquet hall or hotel for your event venue, pick a day other than Saturday.  Some places may offer you a discount especially if it is a day that they don't usually have a lot of business.  For adults, a Thursday evening "Happy Hour" event can be just as fun and exciting as a Saturday night soiree.
  • Keep the time of year in mind.  Holidays and peak wedding months (May-September) are times to avoid, because you may be charged a premium.

Money Saving Tip - Shop Etsy

Looking to save money on invitations, jewelery or favors for your wedding?  Head on over to Etsy.  Etsy is like ebay for crafters.  You'll find a wide selection of quality items that will delight your guests and not put you in the poor house!  You can order custom monograms and logos, even photo cookies, now how cool is that?!

   

Money Saving Tip - Floral

Looking for ways to save money on your florals for your wedding or other upcoming event?  What I'm about to suggest bucks tradition, so if you are big on traditions, don't continue reading!  You've been warned!

Forget corsages for the mothers and grandmothers!  It is so prom like anyway!  Moms and grandmoms can sport the new style of floral necklaces.  This is just basically a single flower necklace, which could be a ribbon choker with a fresh flower attached or similar to the one in the photo below. 

How is this a money saver? One flower plus very little time in making it equals big time savings in florist fees!  Events that I have done and women have worn these tell me all the time how they feel much more stylish than if they'd worn a corsage.

Money Saving Tip - Use Your Imagination

  I know that it is so cliche, but sometimes when you want to save on events, you have to think outside the box!  I can see the eyes rolling already.  Sorry, but it is true.  I will give you some tips on how to do it:

• Be flexible with your event date.  Years ago, Sunday weddings were quite the trend.  I held my wedding on a Sunday and enjoyed a substantial discount on services because this was a day that vendors didn't traditionally work and they welcomed the money.  I was also able to save on alcohol because in my opinion, if you were looking to get drunk on a Sunday then that is just wrong!  Now a popular day for weddings is Friday evenings and though the savings may not be huge, you can still save a few dollars than having a Saturday wedding.
• Get creative with your favors.  All those fancy little spoons and things are nice, but they are expensive.  I know because I sell them!  If you don't have a never ending bag of money then do your research before spending money on favors.  A packet of seeds with a custom label is just as nice and will cost less than some fancy engraved thingy.
• Save on Linens.  Why pay hundreds of dollars on linens like overlays and chair ties when you can find some low cost fabrics to get the same effect?

I hope that I have given you enough to get your creative and imaginative juices flowing!  Until next time eventfully yours!

Money Saving Tip - Cakes

For your big day, you have dreamed of the ultimate wedding cake.  Five layers of dazzling and delicious confectionery delight.  Sometimes all of that comes at a staggering price.  Cakes can go as high as $15.00 per person.  Multiply that by 100 or more people and you've got quite a blow to your budget.  Here are some way to have your cake, eat it and save some money too!

• Choose frosting rather than fondant, which is more labor intensive and expensive
• Choose a less elaborate icing style
• Use fresh flowers to finish off your cake's decoration
• Pass on the sugar paste flowers, marzipan fruits, although they are lovely they are also labor intensive and expensive
• Choose one flavor and filling for your cake
• Choose a smaller wedding cake to display and use sheet cake that is cut in the back to feed the rest of your guest
• Wrap ribbon that coordinates with your wedding colors around the bottom of each layer and for added color use fresh flowers
• In lieu of cake, opt for cupcakes that can be arranged to mimic the layers of a cake

Do you have any money saving tips for cakes?  Please comment and share with the rest of our readers.

Money Saving Tips - Event Websites

These days there is no end to the different type of websites you can have.  If you are getting married, there is the wedding website which has now expanded to include rsvp's and more.  For corporate planning, you need to have a website for meetings where people can register, find out about different breakout sessions and more.

If you look around at companies who have designated services for these types of websites, you could end up paying thousands of dollars when you could get your own web presence up and running for next to nothing.  You can do this by utilizing the services of social network, like MySpace or Ning.

You can get a MySpace up and running at no cost to you.  Add your photos, music and any information tht you'd like, set it to private and invite your friends and family to stop by and join.  I would recommend this to anyone planning a wedding on a tight budget.  For a corporate planner, I would suggest Ning.  You can add pages and even give your site a more professional and polished look by using your own domain name for only $4.95 per month.  You can even remove the ads and Ning tags for a nominal fee.

Tap into the power of the internet when planning your next event and see how many ways you can save.

Money Saving Tip - Favors

On a wedding I just worked on the couple had a very nice and touching favor.  Throughout their courtship, the groom showered his future bride with roses ALL the time.  And guess what?!  She saved them, dried them and for their wedding tied them up in white netting.  They even had a sign that told the story of the rose petals and asked that guests shower them with the petals as they came down the aisle as husband and wife.  The funny thing was, once people read the story, they didn't want to throw the roses!  They kept them and those that did throw wanted more.  It was so sweet.

Now that I've written all that you are thinking what is the money saver here?!  Incorporate something from your courtship or relationship into your favors.  Start now, saving rose petals, letters, etc.  If your intended always writes you poetry or stories, use one of those, (be sure the content is PG) copy it onto colored or nice paper, tie it with pretty ribbon and use them as favors.  Presto!  A unique and personalized favor that costs you next to nothing!

Money Saving Tip - Speakers

Most corporate events feature a guest speaker of some sort.  It may be a former politician, famous author or musician.Regardless of who it is, speakers can hit a budget HARD!  Professional speaker fees can go upwards into the six figures.  In fact, I may rethink my career choice!

Seriously though, if the budget from your next corporate can't afford a high price speaker, start looking locally.  Contact local colleges and universities for professors who teach on the subject your target audience may be interested in.  A lot of times these professors are published authors or even considered the authority in their industry.  They won't be free, but in most cases are considerably less than others.  Also, by looking local you cut down on travel costs, lodging, meals, etc.

Money Saving Tip - Ceremony Sites

If you are planning a summer event or live in a part of the country where your weather is mild all year round, there may be some hidden jewels in your city!  These jewels are city parks.  I know the first thought in your mind is a city park!?  But you will be surprised.  Take a day to visit some of your city parks  and see if you see a site that you like.

The above photos are of the Italian Garden which is part of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens.  It is one of the most popular wedding ceremony sites in Cleveland and guess what for residents of Cleveland, the cost is only $150.00 and for non city residents, just $175.00! 

Start scouting your city today to uncover a hidden jewel!

Money Saving Tip - Entertainment

Want live music at your next event, but not able to make it happen on your budget?  Try local high schools and colleges in your area.  Call the music departments and speak with the teachers to see if any of their students would be interested in performing live for a nominal fee.  Most times you may only need to feed them and that shouldn't be a problem.  Take the timing of your event into consideration if you decide to use students.  Most teenagers have curfews.  Also, be careful if you have an open bar and you are using teenage performers.  You may request that they bring along a chaperon.

Until next time, eventfully yours!