Ask an Expert
Money-saving guru Nina Willdorf
weddingchicbook.com
Your book, Wedding Chic, is a guide to asking the right questions and not getting ripped off. What prompted you to write it?
When I started to plan my wedding, I was shocked by how little practical information there was out there. After doing my research, I was shocked by how much people were willing to negotiate. All you have to do is ask.
In your book, you say, "Timing is everything." How so?
It’s the most important decision you’ll make: the time of year, time of week, and time of day will affect every decision and how much everything will cost. Winter is wide open—for your guests and popular vendors. That means you’ll be able to negotiate much more easily.
How can you save on stationery?
Thermography looks almost exactly the same as engraving, but it’s half the price. Also, ask your stationers for a PDF proof of the invite—we had ours designed and printed at Soho Letterpress and they didn’t charge us a penny for the proof.
Dress prices have skyrocketed. What to buy to avoid going broke?
Tulle is the cheapest fabric; lace is the priciest—as much as $600 a yard. Ask whether alteration costs are included or capped at an upper limit. A big industry secret is to hike costs by convincing brides to buy a dress that’s too big. Don’t do it!
When is cheap too cheap?
When people notice. If the bar is cut off after an hour, that’s cheap! I’ve been to a wedding where everyone was scrambling to get a drink—it was such a faux pas. You don’t want to scrimp on flowers in a room that needs it. And I wouldn’t put too many people at a table and make them feel cramped. Just keep in mind that with each decision you make, there are going to be ten other things you can do to maximize your budget.
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