By Melina Byrne, the Money Maven
Say “I Do” to saving money with RESCU’s expert advice for brides on a budget.
I’ve said in the past not to mention weddings when organising your big day. However, a recent CHOICE Magazine Roundtable with Australia’s most influential wedding suppliers has revealed this may lead to brides not receiving the best possible service.
The Roundtable discussion, held in Sydney in March, investigated the real reason why brides are quoted more. So here’s the cold hard truth:
Why wedding services cost extra
Industry experts told CHOICE that wedding customers are often far more demanding than other customers, and this is why so many suppliers are inclined to charge extra.
Here are the experts’ advice on how to get the best service from your suppliers:
• Come prepared with a budget outline.
• Ask as many questions as you can so that you receive the level of service you’re expecting.
• Ask exactly what you get for your money and what are the extra charges, if any.
• Be transparent and say it’s for a wedding. This will help the supplier to understand what extra work is going to be required.
• Research the suppliers reputation by using websites, forums, social media and through word of mouth.
• Always have a one-on-one consultation with your supplier to make sure you get along with them. You might be working with suppliers for 18 months or longer, so make sure the relationship remains healthy and open.
• Don’t be pressured into packages and when offered, make sure you ask about flexibility.
How to be a savvy bride:
After this eye-opening news from CHOICE Magazine, we asked our own industry expert, Mandy Daddia, the founder of Sydney based boutique bridal service Savvy Brides, about cheap but chic weddings.
RESCU: You’ve been recently married. Congratulations. How did you save money on your wedding?
Mandy Daddia (pictured at the top of the article): “We found so many ways to save money and all the little things add up!
Here is a snap shot of the things I thought were fun alternatives:
• The venue we picked was gorgeous so we didn’t need many decorations. We purchased hundreds of inexpensive glass jars in different sizes. We filled these with flowers and candles and put them everywhere. We were able to do this ourselves and it ended up being very cost efficient and gorgeous!
• We chose flowers that were in season, which meant they were all reasonably priced.
• We used email for RSVPs – this saved money on printing and stamps.
• We reduced numbers wherever we could (this makes a huge difference).
• We employed the services of our lovely and talented family members to help us out. My aunt did the decorations on the day, my uncle was in charge of co-coordinating some of the logistical tasks and my cousin did our wedding video.”
RESCU: Can you recommend any websites to help plan a cheap but chic wedding?
Mandy Daddia: “The internet is a blessing for budget savvy brides. Forums, discussions and blogs are an excellent place to get tips on saving money.
I was an avid reader of forums.vogue.com.au where I was able to find great ways to save money.
www.stylemepretty.com was also a wonderful website for finding DIY ideas that were elegant and cost efficient. I looked on lots of other websites for inspiration for example www.thebrokeassbride.com, and tenthousandonly.blogspot.com, and of course, a great website for planning a cheap and chic wedding is www.savvybrides.com.au.”
RESCU: What are your 5 top tips for brides on a budget?
Mandy Daddia:
1. Work out with your fiancé what are your non-negotiable items. Ie: if you had always imagined having a wedding in spring, don’t book a venue in winter to save money. You will always end up feeling compromised. 
Instead, work out the items that you and your fiancé are prepared to concede. For example, if neither of you consider important to have a video of the day then that can save you a few hundred dollars.”
2. Accept offers of help from family members and friends as they can be a godsend for brides on a budget.
3. Cut numbers! I can’t stress enough how much of a money saver this can be!
Speak to your families and ask the question “would you spend $200 on taking this person out for dinner?” because on your wedding day this is what you’ll be doing. Find ways to get your list down and you will save a fortune.
4. Eliminate all unnecessary items. Weddings favours, complicated cakes, wedding cars, cocktails and elaborate decorations can be cut, unless they are very important to you or your fiancé.
5. Negotiate with your suppliers. Explain to them that you are on a tight budget and find out where you can reduce costs.
For example, perhaps you can hire your photographer for 6 hours instead of 8, your printer may be able to find a less expensive paper for you to print your invitations on, your caterers could suggest some less expensive options for the menu, for example choosing food that is in season or having your wedding cake as the dessert instead of having both.
RESCU: How does Savvy Brides work?
Mandy Daddia: Savvy Brides offers a service to both recent brides and brides-to-be. We sell pre-loved designers dresses on behalf of newly married clients. Brides-to-be can come and try on a large range of pre-loved dresses in our intimate Sydney studio. They can find the dress of their dreams by a top designer at half the cost! While recent brides can recover some of the money spent on their wedding gown.
For more info about Savvy Brides and to view the range go to: www.savvybrides.com.au
Other Bridal blogs you might enjoy:
1. How to throw a great Hen’s Party
2. Blushing Bride: Products and the action plan to get glowing skin on the big day
