Wedding Cost Cutters and Wedding Budget Planner:

• Limit the number of guests. Think twice before inviting all of your coworkers and friends and relatives you’ve lost touch with. Is it necessary to invite aunt Marie you haven’t seen in fifteen years?
• Get married in the off-season: One of the many good things about Hawaii is there is no bad season. Get married when others aren’t as likely to make it. You can always marry on a weekday as well further cutting costs. If you must marry on a weekend, choose the least opportune time of day such as early morning (brunch is much less than a lunch or dinner.)
• Borrow a family members wedding gown instead of having your own. Sometimes having a special gown used by your mother or grandmother or even a sister, can have added sentimental value.
• Have your reception at the same location as your wedding. This can save in flowers and transportation as well as rental and service fees. Pick a fully furnished wedding and reception site, this can also save on rental fees.
• Serve an expensive food as a pupu (appetizer) instead of a main course, such as sashimi or crab. Cheese and crackers and fresh vegetables are also nice yet, inexpensive pupus. Try having everything stationary instead of served by waitpersons. Also, why not try buffet style instead of a seated meal. Try having a salad and pasta bar to fill-up on for main meal receptions.
• Alcohol is a big expense; why not try having a no-host bar instead of open bar and supplementing with red and white wine and beer. Have champagne served only for toasting.
• Why not try having a lovely small wedding cake made up for photos and the traditional cutting, yet have sheet cakes prepared in the background for serving, also make sure the cake is your only dessert.
• Set a time limit for your reception. Have music cutoff at that time. Speaking of music, if you want live music, have it for your ceremony only. Think about having a DJ for the reception or if you have musically talented friends, ask them if they would entertain for a while.
• You must have a professional photographer, but try having one only for formal portrait shots. Have friends take candids at the reception. Having disposable cameras at the reception tables is a nice touch; available to friends and family to capture photos of those special moments.
• When choosing flowers for your leis, bouquets and decorations, utilize in season and easily available ones. If your reception or wedding site has potted plants, utilize them for decorating (ask first).