5 Quick Tips for Saving Big Money on Your Wedding with an
Outdoor Ceremony
Looking for ways to cut costs on your wedding but still have the
event you've always dreamed about? You can save a great deal of
money by hosting your ceremony outside in a beautiful park, at
the beach, on a hilltop or even in your yard. (Of course, having
the ceremony in your backyard is the cheapest - but not everyone
has a yard big enough to accommodate today's hundred-plus guest
lists).
Here are five quick tips if you're thinking about an outdoor
ceremony that can save you money all around.
* Choose an open public forum that does not generally have a
great deal of people trying to access it, and remember to get
the right permits beforehand. The less demand there is for a
space, the cheaper it's likely to be (and easier to obtain).
* Opting for an ordained minister rather than a priest is often
cheaper. Just be sure to check that whoever you choose can
legally perform wedding ceremonies in your area.
* You can forego the chairs and have the guests standing as long
as you host a short ceremony. A nice white or themed linen on
the ground for guests to stand on is an elegant touch.
* When going with outdoor ceremony, people often opt for a
portable arch because it is easy to transport and just as
elegant as more permanent structures.
* Outdoor ceremonies open the door to many themes that can
greatly reduce the cost of your wedding and reception. For
example, Hawaiian themes and beach themes can help you save
money on formal wear and decorations because people having an
outdoor wedding are often casually or "island dressed." It makes
the ceremony more comfortable for the guests as well, because
they're also able to dress casually.
And here's another plus: outdoor ceremonies can immediately
switch from ceremony to reception without changing venues, which
saves some extra money on travel fees such as limos, and
eliminates the need to rent two venues. For example, the
Hawaiian theme mentioned above would be a great way to have a
luau or pig-roast reception. You might also want to consider a
theme that lets you have a picnic for your reception party, or a
beach party or bonfire - all of which are acceptable
alternatives for the couple on a budget.