Save Money. A Little or a Lot.

Save Money. A Little or a Lot.
Event planners suggest ways to pare down the cost of a standard $40,000 New York City wedding for 125 guests.

By Catherine Coreno Published Winter 2010
Starting Price: $40,000
Simplify the Flowers “You can save about $500 if the bride is happy with a small, elegant posy and you stick to one arrangement for the maid of honor,” says Bridget Vizoso of the Designers’ Co-Op. “Ask your florist if there are any large orders before or after your event. You can lower your price by $800 by going with the same kind of flowers,” Jennifer Brisman of Jennifer Brisman Weddings New York advises.
Approximate Savings: $1,300
Get Down With the D.J. “Good bands tend to be really expensive, and it’s better to have a great D.J. than an average band,” says Josh Brooks of Fête. “You can get an excellent, noncheesy wedding D.J. for anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000,” says Xochitl Gonzalez of Always a Bridesmaid. For the ceremony and cocktails, she adds, “instead of a string trio, consider an acoustic guitar.”
Approximate Savings: $4,500
Drink Responsibly “You can save 40 percent if you have a wedding from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. because the venue can turn the space around for another event,” notes Jeannie Uyanik of C&G Weddings. “A brunch can save you $10 to $15 per person on bar costs because you can opt for a ‘brunch bar’—beer, wine, mimosas, and Bloody Marys,” says Gonzalez.
“Limiting bar options can save up to $6 per person—offer wine and Prosecco, or a single-liquor specialty cocktail, and forgo Champagne” Loulie Walker of Loulie Walker Events advises. “Have one hour of open bar, and just serve wine during dinner— it can save $10 per person,” suggests JoAnn Gregoli of Elegant Occasions.

Approximate Savings: $8,000
Go Green! “Use an Evite as the save-the-date, and include a link to your wedding web page with more information. It’s free and more informative than a traditional card,” says Jennifer Gilbert of Save the Date. “An amazing invite doesn’t have to have a formal reply card. An e-mail reply is a great way to save,” notes SideKick Events’s Ellen Kostman.
Approximate Savings: $1,000
Skip the Fancy Cake “Find your cake at a bakery, such as Soutine on the Upper West Side—their regular cakes are delicious, beautiful, and a fraction of the cost of a formal wedding cake,” says Walker. “Delivery can also be costly. If you are having a one- or two-tier cake, ask a trustworthy friend or family member to pick it up and bring it to the reception,” Brisman advises.
“Have a mini-cake for you and your groom to cut, then offer guests cupcakes or have a dessert bar featuring your favorite confections,” says Walker. “In lieu of the cake, try specialty desserts like mini-pies or mini-cake shots,” Gregoli suggests. “Wedding cake usually costs $10 to $20 per slice, but mini options can be half that.”

Approximate Savings: $1,250
Limit the Photographer “Hire one for the ceremony, cocktails, and formals, but skip the end of the reception,” says Brisman. You can save $1,000 by shaving two hours off the photographer’s time, Brooks notes. “The end-of-the-night shots are never that great. How many photos do you need of people dancing?”
Approximate Savings: $1,000
Beware of the Loft “Lofts will never be as economical as venues where the chairs, tables, staffing, and lighting are all packaged into the same price,” Gonzalez says. “Going to a venue with catering included or a private room at a restaurant will save you at least $25 per person.”
Approximate Savings: $3,125
Plan Last Minute “If possible, plan your event within three months,” Uyanik suggests. “Venues and vendors that have’t already booked a day by then know they probably won’t, and they want to work, so they’ll be more open to negotiating. This can save you 30 percent.”
Approximate Savings: $6,000
Total Savings Up To: $26,175

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The BIG difference between buying on PRICE and investing in VALUE

By Stacy Zemon

When calling a DJ service, the first question many people ask is, “How much do you charge?”  There is no single answer to this question because of the variety of factors involved, such as:

• Event Type, Date, Location, Duration, and Number of Guests Attending
• Talent, Skill and Experience of DJ in Your Type of Event (e.g., wedding specialist)
• Quality of Sound/Lighting Equipment
• Size and Legality of Music Library
• Entertainment Package and Additional Options Selected by Client
• Time Spent Planning Event with Client in Advance
• Company’s Liability Insurance and Professional Memberships

It’s Sad but True

The DJ is often one of the last elements budgeted for, which later proves to be a tragic mistake.   After all, does a veggie platter or an ice sculpture really add greater value than the most crucial ingredient of the party — your entertainment?

It’s the DJ who most likely has the greatest effect on the overall enjoyment of your event.  Those who set out to find the cheapest rate possible are setting themselves up for disappointment.

You are making a significant financial investment in your special occasion.  Ask yourself: Are you willing to gamble with an inexperienced, uninsured DJ who may use consumer equipment, have a small music collection and little skill on the microphone?

What a Great DJ Adds to Your Event

Like most things in life, you get what you pay for.  Good entertainment is not cheap and cheap entertainment is rarely good!  Your DJ, if you have chosen a really good one, will contribute greatly to your guests enjoyment, which encourages them to stay longer.  A Professional Mobile Disc Jockey Entertainer will display many of the following skills and attributes before and during your event:

• Master of Ceremonies
• Music Mixer/Programmer with the ability to select songs based on your guest demographics
• Extensive music library covering multiple genres
• High quality professional equipment
• Interactive audience motivator
• Itinerary Planner/Coordinator
• Sound/Lighting technician
• Flexibility to adapt to sudden changes and requests

When was the last time you heard someone say, “Boy, the chicken at that wedding was phenomenal.  I can’t wait to attend another for some more chicken!”  Seriously, people don’t say those types of things.  What they do talk about is the music that was played and whether or not they had fun at the event.

WARNING: Have you ever seen an inexperienced or incompetent DJ with second-rate equipment and music ruin a special celebration?  If you have, then we know that we are “preaching to the choir” but if you haven’t . . . Don’t let this happen to you!