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The wedding is a celebration for both families so there's
no logical reason why they shouldn't both share the cost.
Sharing the financial burden of the wedding will ensure that
it cuts a less significant chunk out of each family's bank
balance. Explain this to your fiancé and if possible,
request him to approach his parents his parents about
contributing to the cost of the wedding.
Celebration
Or Showcase?
Part of the staggering cost associated with Asian
weddings is the desire to be unique, surpass the
expectations of relatives, friends and community members
and make a lasting impression on your guests. This kind of
approach can make your wedding a show of extravagance
rather than a celebration of your love and happiness!
By all means indulge yourselves, all brides and grooms
have dreams and ideas, which will make their wedding truly
memorable and unique - but do it for you, not for anyone
else! Creating the wedding of your dreams rather than a
wedding that will surpass your whole community's
expectations will cut down your wish list by half and save
considerable amounts of money!
Limit
The Guest List
Keeping the guest list as concise as possible will reduce
the cost of every aspect of your wedding; Nearly all
wedding expenses are directly proportional to the number
of guests you invite. This is your wedding, so you should
ideally invite only those whom you would like to share
your happy day with you. That way you can splurge out on
the people who really matter to you.
Though this makes ../../common sense, it may be difficult
to effectuate. Small weddings are unfortunately still an
unpopular option with many Asian families who like to
invite whole communities to their weddings. If there's no
way around this then compromise with your family members
by having a huge wedding but only inviting a select number
of people to your reception, which you can then make
really special.
Cut
Down The Number Of Functions
Asian weddings typically comprise numerous events before
and after the wedding ceremony. Try and cut down on these
so that you can devote your budget to one or two key
events that will really unique and special. Missing out on
a Sangeet or Sanji (Raas Garba) will give you much more
money to spend on a really memorable wedding and
reception.
For those pre - wedding events that are obligatory, as
per your cultural traditions (e.g. Mehndi Rasam or Mandap
Mahurat.) try and celebrate them on as small scale as
possible, in the home, using your friends and families
skills and resources, instead of those of wedding service
providers. If well organised and planned with imagination
and attention to detail, these can be memorable and unique
events.
Sort
Out Your Priorities
The words budget wedding and dream wedding should not be
mutually exclusive! It's all about sorting our your
priorities. If you are on a budget, determine what you
cannot live without, whether it's your favourite flowers,
a stunning lengha or photography by a professional whose
work you admire. If you decide to splurge, it should be on
the things that will matter the most to you. Accept that
some expenses will have to be compromised and take a back
seat.
Work
Out A Budget
To keep the cost of your wedding under control, work out
exactly how much you can afford, come up with a budget and
stick to it. Your budget should include the number of
functions you are going to have, the number of people you
are going to invite for each function, and a list of the
services and products you will require for each event.
Once you've decided on a budget stick to it religiously.
A simple way to keep to your budget is to cut your
spending on other items. Consider not going on holiday the
year before your wedding, cutting down on your beer
consumption or your weekly shoe shopping sprees and put
the money you have saved aside for your wedding.
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