8 • 2020 Bridal • Morrison County Record • www.mcrecord.com
Five ways to cut wedding reception costs
ding-friendly name, can be less expensive
than offering full open bar service. Some
couples also opt to pay for only wine
and beer rather than a full open bar that
includes liquor and mixed drinks.
Courtesy of Metro Creative Services
Weddings have a tendency to be expen-
sive endeavors. According to The Knot’s
2018 Real Weddings Study, the national
average cost of a wedding is $33,931.
Nearly half of that ($15,439) is spent on
the reception venue alone.
As expensive as wedding receptions
can be, couples should know that there
are many ways to reduce reception costs
without sacrificing fun.
1. Choose foods wisely
Pour over the details of catering costs.
The Knot says the average price for cater-
ing will be $68 per person. If you opt for
an appetizers and cocktails reception, you
may be able to shave several dollars off the
bill. Look closely at the pricing for buffet
versus plated meals. Buffet service often
means having a greater quantity of food on
hand, which could drive up the cost. Find
out if the catering hall can work with your
know the difference when they’re biting
into a delicious, less costly dessert.
3. Book a weeknight
Weekend weddings are easier on guests’
schedules, but not on couples’ budgets.
Couples can save thousands of dollars
by hosting weeknight weddings instead
of weekend affairs. Book the venue from
Monday through Friday, as even Sunday
Couples should know there are many ways to re- prices have escalated. The further away
from the weekend, the lower the prices tend
duce reception costs without sacrificing fun.
to be.
budget to provide cost-conscious options,
like familiar comfort foods instead of
gourmet fare.
2. Serve a custom-made cocktail
A themed drink, such as punch or
a classic spirit with a reimagined, wed-
5. Skip the extras
Reception venues may upcharge for all
the little details, such as linens in custom
colors or chair covers. If you can live
without these extras, do so. Ask for a list
of itemized extras so you can assess what
you want to pay for and what you’d prefer
to avoid.
Wedding receptions are costly, but there
are many ways to save money and still
enjoy a memorable evening.
4. Fake the cake
The Knot indicates a wedding cake runs
roughly $530. Consider displaying a mock
cake for photos and then serve a sheet cake
during dessert hour. Decorating foam tiers
to look like an extravagant cake can save
a few hundred dollars, and guests won’t
A diamond may be rare
some customers love that they can get the
same product for a fraction of the price of
natural diamonds.
ty.
On top of the design aspect, couples
“Even a trained gemologist would not
also seem to be working together on the
be able to know the difference without the financial end of engagement.
tools to do it. There’s no discernible or
“There are more and more people work-
appreciable difference for the customer or
ing together to pick out a ring. I see people
the wearer of the stone,” Grams said.
sharing the cost of a ring. Sometimes the
Lab grown diamonds tend to come with bride-to-be will know what she wants and
an inscription labeling them as such, he
the guy will say what he can afford, and she
said.
might say, ‘Well I want something a little
“The best comparison is the difference
more, so I’m going to chip in,’” Grams
between a flower that grew in a field and a said.
flower that grew in a greenhouse. The end
He said this is especially true of wed-
product, a flowers a flower, they’re both
ding bands, with couples often splitting the
beautiful, they both smell the same. They’re costs.
Customization allows each couple get
Staff photo by Amanda Rasinski the same flower,” Grams said.
Some customers do seek the story be-
their ideal ring within their budget, which
Some popular rings choices at GoldSmith Jewel- hind a natural diamond being in the earth leaves more funds for a perfect wedding to
ers are all easy to customize.
for millions of years, but Grams said that
match that perfect ring.
(Continued from Page 2)
JEWELERS
“Your Jewelry Repair Experts”
www.goldsmithlf.com
(Continued from Page 6)
vision of what they want, and others will
come in and have no idea. So Oldakowski
said the consultation is a good way to dis-
cover what the bride is looking for in terms
of style and create the wedding of their
dreams.
Ballroom
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Staff photo by Amanda Rasinski
Green centerpieces with glass candle containers
are thought to be a popular choice for brides in
2020.
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