Trimming Down Your Wedding Budget

Brides Magazine's Editor-in-Chief Explains How and Where to Cut Costs

(CBS)  Here's a scary fact: the average wedding in the U.S. costs over $20,000. That's almost double what the couple plans to spend.

Millie Martini Bratten, editor-in-chief of Brides magazine, stopped by The Early Show Wednesday to share some money-saving tips.

"It's really difficult. A wedding is a once in a lifetime experience. You're bringing all these people together. You have to feed them and have decorations you wanna record the event with photography, and have flowers and all of it. You have to plan carefully or the costs can go up quickly," Martini Bratten explained.

Often, the costs for weddings are higher than other events. Asked why that is, Martini Bratten said, "It's once in a lifetime. You have one chance to get it perfectly. And that takes more time and time is money."

Talking about photos, she said, "An engagement photo and wedding portrait are going to last a lifetime. You're shooting two people instead of one. One may be smiling and the other sneezing so you have to do it again. Maybe you go out of the studio on location so the costs can add up. You want to negotiate a price to begin with and an approximate time frame. When you're negotiating, think 10 percent, 15 percent, 50 percent [even though we are in a negotiating and flexible time] is too much. Something you're happy with and the photographer is proud of."

Speaking about photos, Martini Bratten said, "They're important, lovely, beautiful. They're memorable, but there are lots of ways you can save. You can buy all one flower. The simpler you keep the arrangements, the simpler the time will be. It takes a lot of time to hand wire an orchid. If you cut the bouquet size by 20 percent, you save 20 percent."

And she said it's important to know what flowers are in season in that local area. "They cost more because you're asking for specific flowers instead of letting your florist go to his inventory. It has to be pink tulips whereas he doesn't have the flexibility to mix it up. The more flexibility, the better the price will be in the end."

When it comes to hair, she said, "Whether it's an updo or down, it will take more time. You're dealing with a veil and head pieces and flowers. Again, that idea of making it perfect. So the stylist has to spend more time with you they're not spending with other people."

Asked how you can save money, she said, "If you go to the salon on the day of your wedding, you'll save money. He won't be charging you for time and taking time from other clients."

With limos, there are a lot of costs and variables. "A number of cars, the time of year, the location. A lot of times they'll come with white carpets and champagne and things like that. If you marry in January and February -- this is true for all of your costs - look at off-season like January and February, you will get a better deal," Martini Bratten explained.

And speaking about honeymoons, she said, "Sometimes you'll get a package that has things that you don't want. Look for promotions like breakfast for free, or airport transfers for free, or maybe a free night. You have time on your side as a bride. You're planning way far out. Look for promotions and see what deal you can get."

[ces223]

I was sitting here listening to the tips on lowering the cost of a wedding and remembering my son's wedding last year. People don't need the limo and and that jazz. Our son and daughter in law had a lovely wedding. They spent less than $10000 with all the flowers, photos, cake, sit down dinner reception, etc. But could have spent less not having a sit down reception and marrying in a church, $1200 of that was the venue. People can have lovely weddings for much less money, maybe even in New York.