Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
You're engaged!
Congratulations!
How's wedding planning going?
Is your wedding budgetspiraling out of control?
Are you worried about yourguests judging your choices?
Want to save thousands on your weddingwithout anyone knowing the differences?
Thanks for joining us.
Hi, I'm Sam from Atmosphere Productions.
We'll answer these questions andmore in today's edition of the
(00:23):
Stress-free Wedding Planning Podcast.
Welcome to another edition of our podcast.
Hi, I'm Sal from AfterHours Events of New England.
Listen now and discover how to cutwedding costs without compromising magic.
These are wedding insider secrets fora Stress-free, fun and memorable day.
Our podcast helps engage couplesnavigate wedding planning complexities
(00:43):
while addressing family expectations.
We'll guide you through the journeyof creating the perfect wedding
day without unnecessary stress.
By the end of this edition, you'llget concise tips on budgeting,
wedding party management, ceremony,reception planning, and more.
Perfect for anyone planning awedding all in 30 minutes or less.
Trust us, you don't want to miss it.
(01:05):
Welcome to Stress-Free WeddingPlanning, the podcast that will
transform your wedding planning journeyfrom chaotic to enchanting, Sal and
Sam bring over 80 years of combinedwedding expertise and exclusive
insider information to the table.
If you're recently engaged, feelingthe pressure of wedding planning.
Struggling with family expectations, butstill dreaming of a joy filled wedding?
You've come to the right place.
(01:27):
Get ready to unveil thebest kept wedding secrets.
Discover practical tips andstrategies and learn life-changing
lessons for a stress-free wedding.
Your unforgettable wedding day awaits.
We're here to take you on a transformativejourney of love, laughter, and memories,
so don't miss out on the podcast.
That just might change your life.
This is the Stress-Free WeddingPlanning podcast with Sal and Sam.
(01:50):
On today's podcast, we'llexplain how to cut wedding costs
without compromising the magic.
Today seven, surprisingly easycuts you can make on your wedding
budget that'll save you thousands.
Hi, I'm Sam from the award-WinningAtmosphere Productions Wedding
Entertainment with expert knowledgeand the difference in quality.
(02:14):
Specializing in live ceremonymusicians and cocktail hour string
musicians plus lighting, and anelegant and classy presentation.
We have exactly what you need.
Visit us at Atmospherehyphen Productions dot com.
That's us at Atmospherehyphen Productions dot com.
(02:34):
Learn more about our experienceand journey to help you with
stress-free wedding planning in thetrailer or pilot of this podcast.
Confused about what's reallyessential for your big day?
Is your dream wedding on a tight budget?
Before the end of today's edition, you'lllearn how to save money, dazzle your
guests, and slash your wedding budget.
(02:56):
Hi, i'm Sal from After HoursEvents of New England, the
experts in creating a Stress-freeunforgettable wedding experience.
We bring energy, professionalism,and a passion to making every
couple's big day truly special.
Visit us at After HoursEvents Of N.E. dot com.
Planning a wedding involvesmany decisions, and the
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costs can mount quickly.
Many couples find themselves overwhelmedby the pressure to include every
element, every tradition, but thetruth is your guests won't even
notice if you cut certain expenses.
By prioritizing what truly mattersto you and your partner, you can
create a memorable celebrationwithout breaking the bank.
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Today we'll explain how tocut your wedding costs without
compromising the magic.
Sam, let's get into it withthe very first thing here, and
that is the wedding program.
We see this so often at weddingswhere they're being handed out just
before the ceremony and it kinda listseverything on it that they need to
know from, how the ceremony is gonna beran and what's gonna happen later on.
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The names of the wedding party, theparents, everything is on there.
But to be honest, how many peoplereally keep that or they're
just kind of fold it up, puttingtheir pocket, toss it away later.
Make it interesting if you'regonna spend some money.
So, here's an idea.
Why don't we turn the program intosomething that is useful to your guests?
So say it's a hot summer wedding outside,get a fan and have all that information
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on the fan or anything that creative.
It doesn't have to bejust plain piece of paper.
It could be something that's very usefulthat they're gonna keep later as a
keepsake at home and cherish it forever.
Here's why you can skip this.
In today's digital age, most peopleare used to using online information.
So instead of printing those programs,which Sal says most people do not
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use, create a website, or you canhave a QR code that guests can
usually access with their smartphone.
They are gonna have their phonesout anyway, unless you're having
an unplugged wedding, of course.
You can include all the essentialinformation that you need
right on this website or withinthe location of the QR code.
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The savings on this can mount up.
So typical wedding programs range from50 bucks up to well over a thousand.
The average cost is about 600 bucks,so there's a big savings there.
Definitely.
And you always gotta thinkabout saving each penny you can.
So now the second thing is manycouples will have long distance
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friends and they wanna bring 'em andmake 'em part of their wedding party.
And keep in mind, it can increaseyour expense because you have
to worry about hair, makeup,flowers, transportation, and gifts.
So maybe you wanna keep it a littlemore local so you can keep the numbers
smaller and save some money on top of it.
Here's why you can skip it then.
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It's tempting to ask all your friendsthat live from coast to coast,
but you are not considering theirfinancial and logistical implications.
So keeping it smaller, intimateand local for your wedding party
will streamline and save you money.
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As well as obviously the peoplethat you're going to ask.
For your friends who live far away, andmay not be able to make the commitment.
You may just want to invitethem as guests to your wedding.
This will save a lot ofcomplication and a lot of stress.
While the savings on that ishard to quantify, you will reduce
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the wedding party size and ineffect you'll get savings there.
But also remember the attire, the hairand makeup, the gifts, the transportation,
all that can be added up as well.
And this can range from 500 bucksto a thousand dollars or more.
So yet again, there's anotherplace that you can do some savings.
(07:01):
Just as a reminder, you can alsojoin us on our YouTube channel.
Just search for Stress-free WeddingPlanning Podcast with Sal and Sam.
Subscribe and get it first.
And the third thing, something thatcould really drive your budget a little
crazy is going with a fancy cake.
There's all kinds of cakes andthese have been the centerpieces
for weddings forever, frommulti-tier to special designs.
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have water flutes going above it,and it just, it gets really crazy.
So you wanna be really carefulwith how much you spend on your
cake, and is it really worth it?
Now why?
You can skip it.
Many guests are not particularlyinterested in the cake.
I'm sure you've been to weddingsbefore where instead of the
cake, they had cupcakes.
Well, that is one of the reasonswhy some people do it, to save
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that huge cost of the cake.
Now, you can also have otherdesserts that supplement the cake.
In this modern era, a cake doesn'tnecessarily have to be the centerpiece.
You can have those donut walls,as I mentioned, the cupcakes or
a dessert table and you are goingwithout the cake altogether.
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You may also want to have a secondbuffet later in the night, so you
dispense with the cake altogether.
I've had weddings where they hadChinese food or McDonald's brought in.
These are options that are budgetfriendly and it'll satisfy your guests.
You could save from anywherefrom three to $500 dollars, up
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to a thousand dollars or more.
Now the fourth thing is not somethingthat people always think about,
and that's the "champagne toast".
You know, it's customary and is abig part of the wedding reception,
but the cost of champagne, especiallyif you're going with a high-end
brand, can be very, very expensive.
So you may want tothink of an alternative.
And here's why you can skipthat "champagne toast".
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Most guests won't even notice betweenthe expensive champagne and, maybe
some more affordable sparkling wine.
Instead of having a formal "champagnetoast", consider allowing guests
to toast with whatever they have.
Sometimes many facilities willjust have wine already poured.
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Toast with that.
You don't have to go with anexpensive champagne in order to
just have a "champagne toast".
It can be called just a "toast".
You can get savings from between twoto $400, depending on your guest count.
We've just explained four, surprisinglyeasy cuts you can make to your wedding
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budget that will save you thousands.
For instance, the wedding programs,involving long distance friends in
the wedding party, having a big fancywedding cake and champagne toasts.
Coming up next, the farewellbrunch and wedding favors.
But first, if you have a questionor concern, go now to Facebook and
join us on the Stress-free WeddingPlanning community, and ask away.
(10:03):
You can also join uson our YouTube channel.
Just search for the Stress-free WeddingPlanning Podcast with Sal and Sam.
Subscribe and get it first.
This is the Stress Free WeddingPlanning podcast with Sal and Sam.
A podcast for engaged couples concernedabout wedding planning and family
expectations, but who want a stressfree, fun and unforgettable wedding.
On today's Wedding Tip Wednesday.
(10:25):
Create a No Phone Zone.
Communicating during the planningstages of your wedding is essential.
Establish a no phone zone at home.
This way you can talk to eachother instead of just sending
memes and TikTok links.
Very important.
That's another weddingTip from Sal and Sam.
(10:47):
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(11:08):
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(11:29):
That's F-I-T-Z-N-E-R Productions dot com.
Welcome back to our discussionabout how to cut your wedding costs
without compromising the magic.
Today we're in the middle ofexplaining seven surprisingly easy
cuts that you can make to your weddingbudget, that'll save you thousands.
I'm Sam from Atmosphere Productions.
(11:51):
I'm Sal from After HoursEvents of New England.
We've already discussed, weddingprograms, involving long distance
friends in the wedding party andhaving a big fancy wedding cake and
of course, the "champagne toast".
Next on our list, number fiveis upgraded wine selections.
So couples feel like they're pressured tooffer a wide variety of expensive wines
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to impress their guests, but unless yourguest list is full of wine connoisseur,
most people won't notice the differencebetween a $25 bottle or a $75 bottle.
Here's why you can skip it.
You can focus on just having a few chosenwines that pair well with your menu.
Don't feel obligated that youhave to spend top shelf money
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on your wedding wine list.
It's a wedding, not a wine tasting.
You can also buy your own alcohol,if it's allowed by the facility or
state laws allow you to do this.
So use the house or venue wine that maybe able to save you some money as well.
Considering standard wine optionsinstead of premium selections can save
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you between three to $500 or more,especially if you have a larger wedding.
Now we're up to number six and we'regonna talk about the farewell brunch.
A farewell brunch, the morning after thewedding is a thoughtful gesture, and this
is usually when you have guests come seeyou the next morning, and it's usually
at the hotel in which you're all stayingand you have a moment to be together.
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But this is something that could be veryexpensive, that is very unnecessary.
And that's one of the reasonswhy you should skip it.
It's because it can be very expensive.
Instead of hosting a formal brunch,considering a list of local breakfast
spots or cafes that your guestscan go and explore, by themselves.
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Or you can just meet up in the hotel lobbyand then decide where you go from there.
It can mount up if you haveto pay for it yourself.
I've even had, weddings wherethey've arranged to go back to
somebody else's house and havemorning breakfast cooked there.
Whatever it takes your saving canmount up $20 to $40 per person for a
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wedding with over a hundred guests,you know, that's a lot of money.
You could save yourself betweentwo and four thousand, dollars.
Big savings!
Now the next thing on the list is numberseven, and we're gonna talk about favors.
You know, wedding favors are thatsmall little gift that are given a
guess as a token of appreciation.
Such as the, silver corkscrew or even thebottle opener or anything of that nature.
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While it could be a nice touch, manyfavors end up being unwanted items that
guests don't need, and many times end upin a garbage or in the back of a drawer.
And that's why you can skip it.
Because favors are not obligatory.
There's nowhere that it's saidthat you have to buy favors.
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They are just an addedincentive that you add on.
So instead of spending money onfavors that may just be discarded,
invest in your celebration.
Go with a photo booth or a livemusician, or donate to a charity
or do something that has somemeaningful impact on your honeymoon.
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Yes, you don't have tospend the money for favors.
You can use 'em for your honeymoon.
Nobody's ever going to know.
Wedding favors typically cost betweentwo to $3 per guest for a hundred
person wedding you are talking about asaving of two to three hundred dollars.
Little savings like that really mount up.
So there you have it.
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We've just explained how to cut yourwedding costs without compromising magic.
With these seven items such as weddingprograms, involving long distance
friends in the wedding party, having abig fancy wedding cake, the champagne
toast, upgraded wine selections, thefarewell brunch and of course favors
you can potentially save somewherebetween 3,500 to almost $7,000 or
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more on these wedding expenses.
So please, think about every aspect andhow you could find a way to cut down the
cost to make things easier on your budget.
Now as you spend the next week planningyour wedding, if you want me, Sal,
or our community of stress-freeengaged couples and wedding experts to
answer any wedding related questions,then join us in the Stress-free
(16:19):
Wedding Planning Facebook group.
Once you're in, go ahead and shareyour concerns and worries, and
we'll let you know if you are on theright track or if there are some.
Things you need to work on.
The link to join us is in theshow notes of this edition, or
go to Facebook and search for theStress-free Wedding Planning community.
Remember to do something nice forsomeone today, and if you can't,
(16:40):
then do something nice for yourself.
If you've enjoyed what you've justheard, leave a review and share it
with a friend or someone who wouldbenefit from this information.
Until next time, it's TTFN, Tata now.
Thank you for listening to this edition.
A new edition is released every Wednesday.
Subscribe and get it first.
We'll catch you then.
Ciao.
The Stress-Free Wedding PlanningPodcast is produced and copyrighted by
(17:03):
Atmosphere Productions in associationwith After Hours Events of New England.