By Tisha Mae Sanchez

EITHER because of sheer love or a bulging tummy, couples wanting to get hitched these days are getting younger. And with very little spending money, most of them forego the church ceremony–or drop the wedding thing altogether.

What they don’t know is that: It is possible to have a fabulous affair without spending a
fortune. Here are some tips on how to shrink costs without shrinking style.

1.
Know your priorities.

With the numerous choices available to the bride (and groom) of today, it is essential to
know what your priorities are. Make a list of what’s important to you. This will help you stick to your budget and not have you all over the place during the whirlwind planning process. Most couples get overwhelmed with all the details so it’s crucial to know what you can splurge (or scrimp) on and what you can do without.

2.
Do-it-yourself.

To cut costs, print your invitations, gift tags and programs yourself. Another way to save
is to make your giveaways by hand. Flip through magazines to get ideas and try to duplicate them with materials you can find downtown.

3.
Multi-task.

Take multitasking to a whole new level. With a cupcake cake, for example, this can double as dessert AND as favors. Floral centerpieces can also be given away after the reception.

4.
It’s all in the family.

They say it’s almost impossible to have a small wedding here in the Philippines (what with our culture of extended families). Put this to your advantage by asking family members to help out in the wedding. If you have cousins who sing well, let them entertain guests during the reception instead of hiring a professional singer. If a relative knows a thing or two about flower arranging, ask them to do the décor with flowers you will get from Freedom Park. You can even ask amateur photographer friends to help with the picture-taking. Just let your expectations be known so you don’t end up disappointed.

5.
Befriend your suppliers.

It’s true what they say—suppliers can make or break your wedding. Most suppliers are flexible with their packages and are more than willing to arrive at a package that everyone’s comfortable with. Be honest with them about how much you can spend.
Discuss your options with your chosen vendors to find out how to get the best value for your money.

In the end, it will do you good to remember that money can’t buy style. As Josh Brooks
said, “Don’t spend a lot of money on every detail. Make choices meaningful instead.”
Good luck and happy planning!

If not busy running the family business, Tisha, (with her events company, Bliss Unlimited–www.weddingsbybliss.com) coordinates weddings and special events. (Sun.Star Cebu Zup!)

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