You said YES — now it’s time to plan that big, fat, expensive Long Island wedding!
Inevitably the more planning you do, the more daunting your wedding price tag can become. That’s why we’ve taken the time to lay out these five hacks to make paying for your wedding a little bit easier.
Seek Out Vendors Who Offer Payment Plans
A common practice among wedding vendors is to require a deposit at the time of booking with the remaining balance due on the big day. However, many are willing to work out payment plans with you — just be sure to ask up front, as not all vendors will oblige.
Attend Wedding Expos
We highly recommend attending as many wedding expos as possible during the planning process. It may seem tedious — especially if you already know what you want, but many vendors offer special discounts during these events. Check out this list of upcoming bridal events on Long Island and in New York City, courtesy of LIWeddings.com. Make sure you keep any free gifts or discount codes you receive well organized so you don’t miss a beat.
Enter Contests
Is your favorite designer running a contest for a free wedding or bridesmaid dress? What have you got to lose? Many companies offer sweepstakes with chances to win money, dresses, honeymoons, and/or services. Pro Tip: You’ll frequently be entering your email address on websites while planning your dream wedding. Create a NEW email address for all of your wedding planning needs. This way you won’t have to weed through promotional wedding emails until the end of time after you’ve said: “I do.”
Use Credit Cards that Offer Points or Cash Back
While using credit to fund your wedding isn’t ideal if you have to do it make sure you’re using a card that gives you the most for your money. Open a new card that offers 0-percent interest for the first year and a low-interest rate after that. You’ll also want to make sure there’s some sort of cash back or points program. Imagine racking up enough frequent flier miles or hotel reward points to pay for part of your honeymoon?!
Look for a Venue that Offers Package Deals
Last but not least — there are beautiful venues on Long Island that offer all-inclusive wedding packages. One of our favorite deals is for The Cottage at East Wind. Book their special wedding package for 100 guests at just $9,995.
