TORONTO – Decades of brides have walked down the aisle sporting something old, something new, something borrowed or something blue. Jessica Kavanagh’s clients can also boast something black – the bottom line of their wedding day budget.
Kavanagh, 23, may have had to spend hours walking the bride through second-hand stores in search of the perfect dress and likely devoted days to arranging the nuptial flowers by hand to keep costs down, but believes the time is always well-spent.
Creating a big day on a small budget is a key focus of her Toronto event planning business, J. Kavanagh Events, and weddings are no exception. If anything, Kavanagh says, a marriage celebration represents an ideal time to exercise fiscal restraint.
“It’s only one day,” Kavanagh said in a telephone interview. “Yes, this is your wedding and it’s so exciting and a big life moment, but this is like the pregame show to the marriage. It’s just a celebration, not the be-all-end-all of your life. People won’t remember you for your wedding, but they probably will remember if you’re a great couple.”
The first thing Kavanagh needs to adjust is not the price of the entire event but the expectations of the couple tying the knot, she said.
She urges couples to look beyond traditional wedding vendors and time-honoured venues, saying conventional thinking can often lead to a dizzying price-tag.
Kavanagh’s advice struck a chord with Alison MacKenzie, whose budget for her October wedding threatened to spiral out of control without some timely intervention.
She and her fiance were willing to shell out for their wedding attire, their rings and an open bar reception, but felt the rest of the day needed a thriftier touch.
Their decision to serve cocktails and appetizers instead of a sit-down dinner went a long way to keeping costs down, MacKenzie said, adding Kavanagh stepped in with other practical suggestions.
“Jessica was great about warming me up to the idea of doing our own flowers,” she said. “You don’t have to spend 50 to 100 bucks for centrepieces. We’ll have flowers throughout the venue, but we’ll do those ourselves. Little vases from Dollarama versus renting them for 30 bucks apiece from a florist is such a smarter way to go. “
MacKenzie’s guests will mingle at the reception in the glow of cost-effective candlelight and munch on cupcakes instead of a traditional, pricier wedding cake. They won’t leave bearing a conventional wedding favour, but will learn that a donation has been made in their name to a charity that matters to the couple.
MacKenzie said these decisions will allow her and her fiance to celebrate their big day with a clear conscience.
“We didn’t want to be saddled with a huge Visa bill or debt at the end of it,” she said. “That’s a great way to start your marriage, ‘Let’s talk about a repayment plan.'”
Cost-cutting opportunities can be found in nearly every aspect of the wedding planning process, experts agree, adding there is one notable exception.
Darsi Pizzolato, co-founder of FrugalBride.com, said couples who opt for a traditional marriage ceremony must be prepared to pay for the cost of venues, officiates and musicians.
Savings can be found nearly everywhere else, she said, adding the Internet offers plenty of bargains for the discerning couple. Pizzolato suggests digital printing outlets offer a cheaper way to print wedding invitations, while websites such as Etsy.com offer brides an affordable place to shop for customized accessories.
Second-hand stores are also worth a visit for people hoping to save money on the wedding dress, she said.
“You figure any item that’s being used on the wedding day is being used for a maximum of 12 hours,” Pizzolato said. “Unless she’s doused a bottle of red wine on her, the dress is still new.”
Kavanagh also suggests reusing traditional wedding trappings to get the most bang for your buck.
Bouquets that figure prominently in the ceremony, for instance, can be reused as centrepieces at the reception.
Such strategies find favour beyond the budget-conscious crowd, she said, adding they also resonate with the growing number of couples who wish to lessen the environmental impact of their big day.
Kavanagh said sound priorities, savvy choices and attention to detail can result in a fiscally responsible wedding that enriches everyone – except, of course, the budget wedding planner.
“It’s not advantageous for me to urge people to cut corners because you get paid a percentage of the total cost, but my philosophy doesn’t change whether you have $10,000 or a million dollars,” she said.
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