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Credit Crunch Weddings Italian Style
- Weddings in style by Tuscan Dreams -
Traditionally the cost of a wedding falls to the father of the bride, but today the bride and groom are choosing to pay for the majority of the day themselves.
According to Credit Action, the national money education charity, the average cost of a traditional wedding in the UK is about £20,000 so its not surprising couples are feeling the pinch, especially in today’s economic climate. Luckily Tuscan wedding planner Erica Bellini has come to the rescue with some practical tips on how to have a credit crunch wedding abroad without sacrificing on style.
Location and accommodation should be your number one priority when planning a wedding overseas as the rest of your plans can then begin to take shape. Erica, who has been planning dream weddings in Tuscany for 10 years, knows the best ways to save on your big day. She says: “Hire a large villa or farmhouse where you can also hold your wedding. You can save a lot and plus for you and your guests it will turn into a lovely holiday.”
With so many details to consider you could consider a planner like Erica who is devoted to organising every aspect of your wedding in Tuscany, including the accommodation.
“Don’t make the mistake to try and save on every item because you will not be satisfied in the end since you will have compromised on things that you cared for. Another way of saving on spending is to have guests stay where the venue is so that you save on transportation, which is an expensive item on an Italian budget.”
Flowers can also be prepared on a budget. Erica says: “Use seasonal flowers and local flowers which will be a lot cheaper than imported from Holland or out of season flowers. Remember that Italy is a lot warmer than the UK so the flowering time is a lot shorter”
“If flowers rank at the top of your wedding budget, then make sure you pick a date when your flowers are in season. For example, Peonies are gorgeous flowers but have a very limited season in Tuscany (May), so it might be worth getting married in the period that they are in season.”
Other ways of cutting back on cost for your big day:
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Go for a traditional Italian wedding cake (Millefoglie – layers of puff pastry and fresh vanilla cream with either chocolate chips or fresh strawberries.) The cost is sometimes 50% less than a wedding cake in the UK.
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Unless you have a friend or family member who is a professional photographer do not count on them taking snapshots. Your wedding photos are what you will have to look at in 20 years time and show your children, so make sure you get a pro to do the job.
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Keep your guest list down. Having a wedding abroad means not all your family and friends will be able to attend so have a small wedding and throw a big party when you get back for those who you weren’t able to invite.
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By having the wedding midweek as opposed to a Saturday means more local suppliers will be available and they sometimes charge less for catering than they would during a weekend.
“Remember to save on things that don’t really matter to you”
Blessing
