Island Savings - Beach Wedding Article

If your budget is slim and your looking to save costs on your island wedding then you’ve made the right choice in opting to go “offshore”. Chances are you’ve already found a package that suits you, but how can you cut corners financially without cutting corners on the details of your wedding? We’ve put together a few tips and secrets from our own experience which could help you:

Book your wedding in “off peak” or “out of season” times.
Negotiate group rates for accommodating and flying your guests
Book villa’s instead of hotels where several couples can share the rental costs
Negotiate a deal with your resort or reception location and don’t be afraid to haggle.
Host a buffet instead of a full, sit down meal for your reception
Bring your own champagne with you. Remote locations will sometimes hike the price of imported wines and spirits because of import duties and you will not be privy to wholesale deals as you are at home.
Choose local, seasonal flowers for your bouquet or decorations
Create your own music with a planned list of pre-recorded music on your iPod or MP3 player. Most resorts or facilities will have a stereo system for you to just plug into
Digital photography saves you on the processing fees of film and most photography outlets will make prints on only the shots you want
Instead of giving everyone a photo from your wedding you can put all of your photo’s online at galleries such as Kodak, Ofoto where they can purchase only the photo’s that they want.
Hire your photographer for the ceremony and first hour of the reception only. You can distribute digital cameras between your guests and get them to take fun shots of your reception
Make up local favours yourself that are fun and simple ie. A tulle bag filled with hangover helpers or sea shells or sunscreen and bottled water or horoscope readings or Chinese proverbs