The Knot Chicago Weddings Spring Summer 2020_downmagaz.com

STYLE + PLANNING
This is all about compromising and figuring out what’s going
to make you and your partner the happiest. Once you have
your list, move forward with booking those vendors first and
spending your money accordingly.
TRIM YOUR GUEST LIST
It may sound harsh, but the best way to save money is to
slim down your guest list. Each person you invite adds to your
budget—you’re likely shelling out at least $100 per person
between catering and entertainment—so compile your invites
thoughtfully. Consider giving a plus-one only to couples that are
engaged, married or living together. Then, if you still need to size
down, put a few hard-and-fast rules in place, like “no coworkers.”
The tighter you keep your count, the more money you’ll have
to put toward other details, like a string quartet for the ceremony.
HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER
This may seem counterintuitive, but hear us out. Spending
up front on a knowledgeable wedding planner can pay off big
time for your budget and your sanity. A skilled pro will help
you navigate everything from vendor selections to contract
negotiations, ensuring you’re spending smart throughout the
process. Another bonus? They’ll have a handle on venues
and services in your area, so they can
help you score insider-only deals
and achieve coveted looks for way less.
selection, opt for a high-impact item, like a wow-worthy
charger plate or patterned tablecloth. Anything else will likely
go unnoticed by your guests and isn’t worth the up-charge.
GO FOR GREENERY
Good news—this piece of advice is totally on trend. Big blooms
often up the price per arrangement, so stretch your floral
budget by opting for a greenery-heavy look instead. Utilize
a textural mix of greenery for larger moments at your wedding,
like a hanging installation. Then, concentrate your flower
usage to areas that will be center stage in photos, like your
bridal bouquet.
OPT FOR A ROAMING DINNER
If you’re hoping to save on catering, and a bare-bones buffet
isn’t really your style, look no further than the roaming dinner.
Basically an all-night cocktail hour, an up-and-at-’em dinner
consisting of passed bites and serve-yourself stations is a fresh
(and frugal) take on the traditional reception meal. You’ll save
some money since there’s less waitstaff needed, and guests will
get to mingle all night instead sitting down for a formal meal.
Just make sure the variety (and amount) of food guests would
expect of a traditional dinner is still there, with lots of options.
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PLAY UP YOUR VENUE DÉCOR
Choosing a party spot with good bones
is a priority when looking to make the
most of your money. Getting a great deal
on a ballroom won’t matter if you have to
then spend big to cover up ’80s wallpaper
and flooring you hate. You want to make
sure your chosen venue feels 85 percent
of the way “there” without having to add
anything extra. When touring potential
locations, pay attention to things you
can’t tweak easily (or without spending a
fortune), like good lighting, an open space,
inoffensive wall coverings and decent
flooring. From that “blank” slate, you can
then work with your vendors to come
up with décor accents that fit the space’s
characteristics (and your budget),
instead of working hard to disguise them.
SKIP THE RENTALS
Trust us, no one is going to remember
whether you chose silver or gold flatware
on your wedding day. When it comes
to rentals, it’s best to work with what
your venue has to offer. While it may be
necessary to rent some items, when it
comes to purely stylistic choices, avoid
upgrading unnecessarily if your budget
doesn’t have the wiggle room. If you must
elevate your venue’s basic dinnerware
Stick with
the tabletop
items your
venue has on
hand to save big
on rentals.
Find pros in your budget at THEKNOT.COM/MARKETPLACE