Wedding Budget Worksheet Excel File (Right-click and save to your hard drive)

Wedding Program Template (Make your own programs with nice off-white paper and save some money!)

Austin Wedding Guide Website

The Knot - Wedding Planning Webite
http://www.theknot.com

A-Town's Wedding Budget Tips:

1. DO NOT BOOK A FACILITY THAT CHARGES YOU MONEY IF YOU DO NOT USE THEIR RECCOMENDED VENDORS. A few wedding facilities in Austin are taking kick-backs from DJ's and other wedding vendors so that they can be "preferred vendors". Be careful of this as you are paying a higher price so the vendor can pay the facility for the referral. This practice is unethical. Reception facility will charge you money for NOT using specific vendors for your wedding. ASK ABOUT THIS BEFORE SIGNING WITH ANY FACILITY!!! Facilities tht prectice this that we know of so far are: Vintage Villas and One World Theater.
2. Don't pay the photographer extra to stay until the end of the reception; the only picture they will miss is your "leave" at the end.
3. Order the photographer's smallest package. You can always come back later to order more photos if they keep the negatives.
4. Get a smaller bride cake and large groom cake to feed guests. Groom's cake is much cheaper.
5. Forget the champagne - most people hate champagne. Get 1 bottle for the head table and forget everyone else.
6. Create/order the bouquet and boutonnieres yourself at Central Market and use your florist only for the arrangements to save hundreds of dollars.
7. Can't afford a Videographer? Just get your 15 year old cousin to film with a digital video camera. The digital technology makes great looking video these days. You will be missing out on the ceremony though. You need a Videographer for the ceremony to capture the minister and your vows with a wireless camera mic.
8. Skip the hard liquor. Beer and wine is just fine. You could also skip the bartender as guests can serve themselves beer and wine.
9. Use candles for table décor. They are cheap!!!
10. Do less attendants - means less bouquets, boutonnieres and attendants' gifts to buy.
11. Don't overestimate your guest count. Usually 2/3 (or less) of your guests will come. Especially if a lot are out of state. Estimate conservatively with your caterer, they always bring more than enough food.
12. Keep flowers simple - Loosely arranged, hand-tied bouquets are much less labor intensive than intricate, wired bouquets. This equates into lowered costs for you. Alternatively, consider having your attendants carry a single exotic flower (for example, an orchid or calla lily) wrapped in beautiful ribbon.
13. Make ceremony flowers do double-duty by arranging to have them transported to your reception site. Many ceremony arrangements look absolutely fabulous when used to decorate buffet stations or other reception hall areas.
14. Make or borrow a ring pillow.
15. Borrow or rent a cake knife and serving set.
16. Decorate the top of your cake with fresh flowers.
17. Order the men's formal wear at a shop that provides the groom's tux free, or at a discount.
18. If the cost of engraving is prohibitive, consider having the invitations thermographed.
19. Include the reception information on the invitation as oppose to sending separate response cards.
20. Order invitations that will require only one stamp standard stamp.
21. Order invitations that are of regular letter size to avoid large envelope postage fees.
22. Print your own ceremony programs. All you need is thick colored paper. Either fold or punch holes and insert ribbon for additional pages.

23.Pick a date other than Saturday night. This will often allow for a discount from reception facilities and wedding vendors.

First Dance Songs

At Last - (Etta James)
Amazed - (Lonestar)
From This Moment - (Shania Twain and Bryan White)
Could Not Ask For Me - (Edwin McCain)
Cross My Heart - (George Strait)
Come What May - (Ewan McGregor & Nicole Kidman)
My Best Friend - (Tim McGraw)
Don't Wanna Miss A Thing - (Aerosmith)
Way You Look Tonight - (Frank Sinatra)
Could Not Ask For More - (Sarah Evans)
Me and You - (Kenny Chesney)
When You Say Nothing At All - (Keith Whitley)
Wonderful Tonight - (Eric Clapton)
Someone Like You - (Van Morrison)
Keeper of the Stars - (Tracy Byrd)
To Make You Feel My Love - (Garth Brooks)
When You Say Nothing At All - (Allison Kraus)
Unforgettable (Natalie Cole)

Father/Daughter Dances

Butterfly Kisses - (Bob Carlisle)
Because You Loved Me - (Celine Dion)
What a Wonderful World - (Louis Armstrong)
Way You Look Tonight - (Frank Sinatra)
Unforgettable - (Natalie Cole)
I Hope You Dance - (LeAnn Womack)
My Girl - (Temptations)
Daddy's Hands - (Holly Dunn)
Through the Years - (Kenny Rogers)
Wind Beneath My Wings - (Bette Midler)
He Didnt Have to Be - (Brad Paisley)
Have I Told You Lately - (Rod Stewart)
Sunrise, Sunset - (Fiddler on the Roof Soundtrack)
Hero - (Maria Carey)
Just the Way You Are - (Billy Joel)