Guest Post: Budget Weddings

Weddings in the Philippines can be get quite pricey. Make sure you do a full canvass of all suppliers to find ones that suit your style and more importantly, suit your budget.  Correspondent Gina Brown shows us how you can have a beautiful wedding -- with the expensive price tag. -- EIC

Budget Weddings

by: Gina Brown

These days it is not uncommon to find many couples paying for their own wedding from their own funds. However, you don't have to spend a fortune or go into debt to have a beautiful wedding. Determine the amount of your budget and stick to it. Keep track of all your expenses and receipts in a folder or binder so that you can stay organized and accurately keep track of where your money is going. Here are some helpful tips to help you stay within your wedding budget.

Wedding Dress
• Avoid overly elaborate dresses because they will be more expensive.
• Look for your dress during prom or consider wearing a bridesmaid dress. You can find a beautiful white or cream colored dress during that would be perfect for a wedding at a fraction of the cost of a traditional wedding dress.
• Look at consignment shops and the classified ads. Wedding dresses are generally only worn once so you can get a gently used vintage dress at a huge cost savings.

Reception
• Keep the number of guests down. You and the groom should look at the first draft of the guest list and carefully consider who can be taken off the list.
• Have a cash bar instead of an open bar. Or you can also just provide wine and beer to keep the costs down.
• Hold the ceremony and reception in the same location. You will be able to cut the cost of the location for the ceremony, decorations and transportation to the reception site.

Flowers
• Purchase your flowers wholesale and just pay for the labor of a professional florist to arrange them.
• Arrange the flowers yourself. A bouquet made of all roses with a little eucalyptus filler and tied with ribbon makes a stunning bouquet and you do not need to be a professional to put this together.

Photography
• Find a photographer with reasonable rates and pay only for the time to do your formal poses. You can then designate friends or family to take the candid shots throughout the rest of the reception.
• Put disposable cameras at each table with a note asking guests to take pictures to help you capture memories.

Invitations
• Print your own invitations using your home computer. Visit your local arts and crafts store or search online and purchase a do-it-yourself invitation kit.

Miscellaneous
• Make your own wedding favors. Wrap up jordan almonds or other candies in lace and tie with ribbon pre-printed with your names and wedding date.
• Keep the number of chosen bridesmaids and groomsmen to a minimum. 

Author Bio
Gina Brown writes articles on a variety of wedding topics.

Top Event Venue OneEsplanade joins EW

Events & Weddings Philippines welcomes yet another new partner to its fold – One Esplanade, one of the premiere event venues in the Philippines. 

As part of its on-going efforts to bring bigger and better event deals to its customers, Events & Weddings partnered with One Esplanade last March 2012, adding this major party venue to its list of esteemed partners. 

If you’re looking for a first-class event venue right in the heart of Manila, rest your sights on One Esplanade.  One Esplanade can cater to up to 1000 guests in gracious comfort and unparalleled elegance. Options abound, from the sophisticated lighting system which changes color to suit the intended mood for each event, to the splendid view of the Manila Bay and its world-famous sunset. It is also located in a prime and well planned commercial area, enticing guests to want to go to the event. The area immediately surrounding One Esplanade has its own distinctive appeal, which is unrivaled by any other venue, making any event a memorable one.

One Esplanade was created to stand out from the rest of the ballrooms here in the Philippines. Aside from the outstanding view of the bay where the sun sets everyday, this 1,091 square meter ballroom (capacity of 450 people for theatrical setup, 350 for sit-down) deviates from the neutral color palette common to most interiors.

Events & Weddings Philippines is extremely proud to have OneEsplanade on board.  Don’t miss any of their fabulous deals that are exclusive to Events & Weddings Philippines which you can use for events in the Philippines (weddings, birthdays, debut, baptism, corporate functions). 

Check out Events & Weddings Philippines today for access to Philippine event suppliers for your event requirements! Great deals await!