How To Save Money On Audio Video For Your Wedding

You definitely don't want to skimp on something as important as the photos and music that you have at your wedding; however, you also don’t to break the bank on it either. This article is meant to show you how you can save money on your audio and video etc. for your wedding. Not everyone can afford a professional to take pictures and play music for their wedding. Many would rather get married in city hall rather than pay all of that extra money. Here are some great tips to saving money on your audio/video at your wedding:

1. Place an ad in a college for students who are majoring in audio video to come and do your wedding. When you do this, you can find people who have professional equipment and training at bargain basement prices. Let them know that you are hosting bidding for the project and watch them fight for the honor.

2. Get student photographers and amateurs to take some pictures for you by using the same means as above

3. Hand out disposable cameras at your reception so that your guests can share their experience at your wedding for you.

4. Get a friend or family member to videotape the ceremony for you as well in lieu of a wedding gift

5. Hire students and hobbyists to play the music at your reception

6. Use an MP3 player to play the music so that you don’t have to hire anyone at all. Just place CDs into it that automatically plays the songs that you want in the order that you want. Use burned CDs rather than buying a bunch of them

You do not have to hire a professional but if you want to, here are some tips for getting a good deal: Choose a photography package instead of purchasing all of the services separately. If there is something you want that isn't included, ask the photographer if you can make an exchange that won’t make the price higher.

Be careful about choosing the smallest or cheapest package. You may end up spending a lot more money after the wedding for all the extra prints alter. Check out any extras you are offered. Do not be fooled by the words "deluxe, premium or Ultimate".

Using Themes To Cut Wedding Costs

There’s nothing like a well thought out theme to make your wedding celebration unique and memorable for a fraction of the cost. A wedding theme should tell your guests something about the two of you as a couple and as individuals because that’s what makes it unique.

If you share a love for sports, maybe a sports themed wedding would be right for you. Or maybe you met on the beach, where you would likely want to choose a beach themed wedding. Once you’ve decided on your wedding theme, you are going to want to make sure all elements of your wedding celebration reflect that singular theme, and that is including the wedding favors and gifts.

If you can’t think of a theme wedding favor idea, one good way for you to start is to think about things that are included in or that reflect the theme. For instance, if you are having an Asian theme wedding, there are great Asian wedding favors available all over the place including the internet that all have Asian designs. Some of these samples include fortune cookies, chopsticks and take-out boxes and there are a lot of beautifully designed favors with these designs at even dollar stores these days. Some of my favorites are a fortune cookie place-card holder, a silver take-out box that has the names of the couple engraved on it.

The good news is that no matter what your theme is, you can find wedding favors to match it as long as you think of things that make you think of that theme. If you are having a beach theme wedding, you may want to consider favors with items like shells, fish, sand, and water. Look out for designs with motifs like beach umbrellas, flip-flops etc.

For a really elegant and yet useful beach theme favor, nothing really beats a beautiful silver dolphin-shaped bottle-opener or a shell shaped candle accent. But if that’s beyond your budget, there are some cool and cheap wedding favors like a shell card holder, a mini beach pail filled with candies etc.

Here are some more great theme wedding favor ideas: if you’re having a particular flower as your wedding theme, be on the watch for candy-holders, place-card holders, candles, tea-lights and candy that is shaped in that particular flower. If you’re having a wedding during the winter holidays, you may want to check out favors that have bells and holly wreaths or maybe even some birds.

When it comes to themed wedding party favors, the trick to making sure that your guests love their favors is to pick ones that are elegant and in keeping with your overall theme and yet useful. Themed weddings can always be bought without spending an arm and a leg. All you really need is a big imagination and a few good ideas and you are off and running. Just have a brainstorming session and see what pops out.