More couples are cutting wedding frills to save where they can during the economic downturn, wedding and event planners say. People are hosting fewer pricey parties and are turning to backyard celebrations to conserve money.
The average cost of a wedding in the U.S. is expected to drop $28 to $28,704 this year — the first drop in a decade, according to the wedding industry research firm Wedding Report.
More than 60 percent of caterers and event planners said their clients are cutting back, according to the National Association of Catering Executives.
Private party planners are trying to do their part to help consumers.
"I do what I can to help people save money," said Marie Crawford, owner of Elegant Events LLC in Frederick. "I have the experience and connections dealing with different vendors, and I know who charges what."
Crawford tells brides to stick to a budget.
"I tell them not to take guests out to a restaurant during a rehearsal dinner and to instead have a nice little barbecue in the backyard," she said. "Money normally used at the restaurant can be put to the wedding."
Seiver and Higgs wanted to avoid debt, Seiver said.
"Everything is paid for," Seiver said. "I don't have any outstanding bills. I didn't use a single credit card."
The couple will spend roughly $35,000 on their wedding, Seiver said. It would have cost them about $60,000 if not for some savvy shopping.
They found used pieces from other weddings at online classified and auction web sites. The couple also called vendors across the state to compare prices.
Seiver and Higgs plan to rent equipment, including chairs, linens and tables, in an effort to be frugal. The bride bought a $4,200 dress at Filene's Basement in Washington, on sale for $249.
Saving money, however, takes extensive planning.
Planners spend about 250 hours working on an average wedding, Crawford said.
"My life has been consumed by this," Seiver said, laughing. "I don't know what I'm going to do with my life when this is all over."
While couples scale back on their weddings, those who regularly rent space for parties are hosting them at home, business owners said.
"They're doing their own cooking, whereas before they might pay a caterer instead, or they're doing something at home instead of going to a fire hall or an American Legion," said Carol Cahall, owner of retail party supply store The Main Event in Mount Airy. "There's more cutting back."
Customers now pick up supplies, such as balloons, to avoid delivery and service fees, Cahall said.
"The real piece I see dropping off is weddings," Cahall said. "I used to do a lot of weddings and anniversaries and decorate onsite.".
But corporate events and weddings, for which Balloon Affairs charges between $200 and $2,500, are holding strong, co-owner Wendy Farenwald said.
"These are usually major, once-in-a-lifetime events, and I think people are still willing to spend a substantial amount of money on them," Farenwald said.
Balloon Affairs often works with customers on a budget, Farenwald said.
"If they are working on a budget, I tell them to forget the little stuff and keep the larger pieces to make more impact and impress," Farenwald said.
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