You Said "Yes!", Now Your Budget Can Too!

The very first thing that you need when planning on a budget is a budget. Far too often people jump right into party planning without first deciding how much money is reasonable. There are no hard and fast rules about how you should go about setting your budget, but Mama encourages you to stay focused, analyze your spending power, and be realistic. It is important that you begin your party plans knowing how much you will spend- instead of ending your party plans trying to figure out how much you did spend. Just follow Mama's Penny-Pinching Pointers, and even on a small budget, you can throw a phenomenal party and your guests won't even notice the difference!

Mama's Penny-Pinching Pointers

Venue Selection. There are many venues out there that offer the ambiance you are looking for- so before signing any contracts, make sure you comparison shop. Many venues will offer a package price that includes everything from your linens, to your cake. You may also want to look into using an uncommon site, such as a park, library or museum. These types of locations will have much lower fees to rent the space, and have a unique design without having to break the bank trying to decorate.

The Date. Most venues will charge a premium for hosting your event on a Saturday night. Try choosing a Friday night, or even a late Sunday afternoon.

The Bar. You don't need top shelf liquor. Stick to midshelf brands, and local wines. If top shelf brands are important to you, indulge guests in a limited selection of these. They won't notice the difference.

Cocktail Hour. Save money during cocktail hour by eliminating some of the serving stations and having the more expensive bites passed out on trays. Steer clear of the novelty stations, such as a vodka or martini bar especially if you already have a stocked bar.  

Transportation. If you plan on renting a limo for the night of your event, consider also using a party van or town car. These options will certainly cost less. If you are sure you want to stick with a limo, choose black or silver- you'd be surprised how much more you'll spend by selecting a white limo!

The Invitations. The most obvious money saving idea here is to create your own invitations. There are so many different DIY options for invitations, such as an Amore Vellum Wedding Invitation Kit (50 Pack).  You might also want to try handmade invitations, which are not only less costly, but also more personal.  You can get a lot of great ideas from this book by Paula Pascual,  Creative Cards: 40 Projects for Handmade Invitations, Greeting Cards, Gift Wrap and More. If you are not creating your own invitations, make sure you don't pay extra to have the invitations assembled. Assembling the invitations can be a fun bonding experience for you, your family and friends.

The Centerpiece. Keep it simple. The more elaborate the piece, the pricier it will be. If you have a penchant for the high centerpieces, consider a combination of both highs and lows to keep on track with your budget.  

The Favors.  Favors are nice, but they are not a necessity.  If it is important to you to hand out favors, consider a centerpiece that can also act as a favor at the end of the evening.  A great alternative to a favor is to make a donation to a charity, and hand out notices to the guests that the donation was made.  This allows you to decide the donation amount regardless of how many guests attend your event, and you've made a difference for someone who needs it.  

Do you have some penny-pinching pointers you'd like to share? Send us a comment and tell Mama about it!