Bridal Shower Budgeting
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Wedding: |
Deciding and Controlling your Budget Deciding on and controlling your budget is one task you will want to complete early in your planning process. Your budget will be determined by the total shower costs; number of guests, location, type of party, theme, favors, invitations, and food. Great way to start determining the amount of financial investment that will be required is to start by deciding on your guest list, location, and party type. Once you have these items decided on, begin by writing down everything you think you will need to put together the bridal shower party. Use our planning checklist to be sure you have not overlooked anything. Main areas where you may incur costs...
If you start to see your budget getting out of control, stop and re-examine your location, guest list and party type. Budgets can be saved. Can you cut down on your number of guests? Possibly change your party type or shower location. For example, if you were planning a sit-down, evening dinner party couples shower... you have several different options to slim your costs down... if you are not set on the couples shower, you could go back to the traditional women's only shower hosted at your home or one of the other bridal party members homes. If you want to continue with a couples shower, consider changing the party type to possibly a later evening cocktail party or maybe a afternoon buffet or potluck style party at a local park. With a little flexibility and creativity on your part, you can keep your bridal shower plans and your budget aligned. Ideas for Hostesses on a Limited Budget Keep your costs to a minimum by borrowing things you do not have rather than renting. Eliminate alcohol Contact your local universities or cooking schools, they often have students that are willing to hire out for events at reduced rates. Contact your local eateries and banquet halls to see if the offer any discounts for booking special dates, days or times. Buy your food and drinks from your local odd lots, big lots, dollar stores or wholesale outlet stores. Do-it-yourself as much as possible - enlist the help of all your creative friends and family; decorations, invitations, place settings, center pieces, and favors. Select a shower type that is budget friendly: Afternoon Tea An afternoon tea party is usually set for any time between 2 and 5 in the afternoon. And starting no later than 3:30 in the afternoon. An afternoon tea party is best reserved for all women showers. Great party idea for the hostess with a very limited budget. You can stretch a dollar pretty far with an afternoon tea party. Cocktail Party Cocktails are served between 4 and 7 P.M. for an evening cocktail party. Perfect for the couples showers, a cocktail party is the perfect solution to space and budgetary limitations. A little can go along way with this one. Dessert Party Starting mid-afternoon (2-3 P.M.) or later in the evening (7-8 P.M.), dessert parties are fast becoming popular. Another great shower option for the budget conscience hostess. Everyone loves sweets and there is no better place to indulge than at this tempting affair. Be sure to include a sugar free dish or two for your guests with special dietary needs. Breakfast Shower Breakfast showers are fast becoming very popular in today's busy world. Starting as early as 7:30 in the morning and running as late as 10 any weekday or weekend morning, a breakfast shower can be held at a local dining establishment or at the hostesses home. At Home Party Being held at any time of day, the at-home party is the most common and traditional style of bridal shower party. An at-home party will help keep your guest list smaller as most at-home parties are going to be able to offer limited space. Being more intimate affairs, an at-home party can be catered, home cook and even potluck style. Another great idea for the hostess on a limited budget is to consider inviting others to join and co-hostess the shower. You will need to have a meeting to determine your budget, divide costs and outline responsibilities. Being sure all hostesses have a clear understanding of their responsibilities, will be as important as the actual doing. Be sure to write down who's responsible for what to avoid confusion as you get closer to the date. |
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