From The Straits Times    |

settings mar 15 invitations.jpgCLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: RSVP card, $1.20 (minimum order of 150), invitation, $3.80 (minimum order of 150), lined envelope, $1.20, thank you tags, $10 for 10, escort cards, $12 for 10, and save the date card, $1.80 (minimum order of 150), from PEARLYN AND PAPER. PHOTO: Her World Brides March – May 2015.

From the wedding wardrobe, to the dinner, decor and other hidden costs, having a wedding these days is easily a five-figure sum, if not close to six figures. In order to break even on your wedding investment, you may need to do the following:

Invite as many guests as possible
The more guests, the more hongbaos! Of course you will hope that your guests will be generous enough with the sums they pack for their ang pows gifts. Remember to get as many rsvps from your guests to ensure that as many of them attend your celebrations.  Only will you have a better chance of recouping your your wedding costs. Every no-show costs money.

State your preference
If you prefer cash gifts from your guests, don’t feel shy about stating your preference in the wedding invite. This is to ensure that you only get ang pows from your guests instead of a picture frame or brand new blender!

Good Deals
Check out wedding packages that offer hard-to-resist perks, benefits and deals. You can choose to have your wedding dinner on a weekday instead of a weekend to benefit from the lower prices. 

Cheaper alternatives
Other wedding items besides the dinner and wardrobe can cost as much as 20-30 per cent of your total wedding budget. Flowers, decor, wedding invites, live entertainment are so on are all extra incidentals where you opt for more affordable options. You can choose cheaper local blooms for your decor, and even replace floral centrepieces with creative dessert settings or replace flowers with affordable scented candles. For more ideas on cutting the costs of these incidentals, refer to our previous feature on 5 things newlyweds waste money on without realising it or 8 time-saving wedding planning tips for busy brides-to-be.

MORE TIPS!
What some brides say on how to break even. By Cynthia Tan  

1. Total up your banquet bill. Be sure to include everything that you would have to pay for on the actual day. It should include all drinks and any venue charges where applicable.

2. Then add to that sum all the important items such as flowers, wardrobe, cake, and entertainment.

3. Now add in the peripherals, such as hongbaos for all the 
people involved, the costs of your wedding favours, invitation cards, shoes, accessories and whatever else you may want.

4. Divide the sum total by the number of guests, excluding yourselves and your immediate families.

5. The final amount you get is what you need to receive from each guest as an average hongbao. If the amount is more than $100, you’ll probably need to cut down on your expenditures.

Tip: Be sure to buffer the final amount to take into account overseas guests – especially if they make up a large part of your guest list – who may bring gifts instead. 

We often get asked this question – how much should you give to your helpers? The answer: It’s relative – some brides give more because they can afford to while others are more modest. Here’s a general guide to help. 

– Main wedding coordinator: $68 – $108.
– Maid-of-Honour and Best Man: $68 – $88 each.
– Bridesmaids and groomsmen: $48 – $68 each (it’s also customary to pay for your bridesmaids’ outfits).
– Flowergirl and pageboy: $28 – $48 each.
– Ushers: $18 – $28 each. 
– Drivers: $48 – $68 each. 
– Officiant or celebrant: $88 – $588.
– Hair and makeup artist: $108 – $308
– Photographer/videographer/camera person (only if they are a friend/relative): $108 – $408. 
– Confetti cleaner and any other miscellaneous helper: $18 – $28 each. 

The side story on budget tips (by Cynthia Tan) was first published in Her World Brides March – May 2004.