Budget Etiquette
- Question:
- I have a giant guest list and limited budget. Can I have an hors d'oeuvres reception at the church for everyone and then invite a smaller group to a seated dinner-dance?
- Answer:
Think of how you'd feel if someone invited you for 60 minutes' worth of stuffed mushrooms, then left with their really "good" friends for an elaborate dinner. The first thing you need to figure out is your priority: a huge guest list or the dinner-dance. If the numbers are most important, there are countless ways to trim costs: Save on site and catering fees by holding your wedding on a weeknight, havinga brunch, or limiting the bar to wine, beer and soft drinks. If your heart is still set on a lavish evening reception, get out that guestlist and start slashing.
- This content originally appeared in Brides magazine.
- Who pays for flower girl outfits?
- How can I get my parents to give me more money for the wedding?
- How can I get my parents to stop making me feel guilty about the wedding's cost?
- Can my dad control the guest list if he is paying?
- Should I pay for my bridesmaids' and dates' rooms?
- What should I do about a broke bridesmaid?
- Can I get what I want if my parents are paying?
- Do I have to accommodate my fiancé's last minute plans?
- Do we have to tell people how much we're spending on the wedding?
- How can I get my fiancé to be more involved in the wedding planning?
- How much are we supposed to tip, and when?
- Who pays for out-of-town guests' hotel accomodations?
- How can my poorer guy and I split wedding costs?
Submit Your Own Etiquette Question
Have an etiquette question you'd like our editors to answer?
- Should my parents have a say?
- Must we pay for his parents' hotel room?
- How do contributers appear on the invite?
- How do I thank those who've helped?
- How do I handle ill-timed financial offers?
- Can we ask guests to pay for their own hotels?
- Do I have to have my wedding in my hometown?
- How should I talk money with my in-laws?
- Who should I notify about my name change?
- What does the groom's family pay for?
- Must I invite everyone who invited me?
- Should I pay for the bridesmaid dresses?
- Can I have a reception with selected guests?
- Can I plan my wedding at work?
- Do vendors prefer cash tips?
