Feeling the pinch? Marion Hunter comes up with some ideas on how to make sure your wedding budget goes as far as possible

don’t let the credit crunch munch at your dream of having a wedding in Italy

Feeling the pinch? Marion Hunter comes up with some ideas on how to make sure your wedding budget goes as far as possible

IF WE WERE TO BELIEVE all the doom and gloom broadcast by the media these days, you would think that in order to get married, you are going to have to sell the family silver or trade Granny in just to be able to pay for your bridal bouquet! But are things really so hopeless, or can couples still hope to celebrate their big day in Italy?
We put the question to Marion Hunter, wedding planner at Villa Giona Weddings, who continues to think positive. She agrees that everyone is having to tighten their belts and make some savings here and there, but she is adamant that doesn’t mean that couples should give up hope of having a wedding in Italy.
We also asked Marion to come up with some ideas and ways of making your dream wedding in Italy come true and beating the credit crunch at the same time. Here’s what she had to say.
‘By no means are we making light of the current situation and we are also crossing our fingers that there will be a welcome change in the air soon. However, on talking to many of our lovely couples who have been over to see Villa Giona and are already planning their weddings with us for 2010, we have looked at ways of making things a bit easier for you all.
There is of course no straightforward or easy answer, but with careful forward planning, there are ways to have your dream wedding in Italy. And remember that you’re not alone. Many couples are taking similar steps, and your guests will be more than willing to help in any way they can.

do your own hair and makeup

ADVANCE PLANNING

Most importantly, I believe that starting things early is the best way ahead. This will not only give your family and friends more time to save and perhaps use your wedding venue as their main holiday venue next year instead of organising a separate trip, but it will also allow you to look at your current financial situation and see where you can perhaps make some small cuts.
Fewer meals out over the next year will all add up and putting what you save into the wedding pot will be well worth it. The dress will also fit better too! And unless the car is refusing to get out of the garage in the morning or the tiles are really falling off the bathroom walls and there is a serious risk of HTB (husband to be) being killed by one, then put these things on the back burner for another year or two. After all, your wedding day is something you will not get a chance to do again. Kitchens and bathrooms are changed a few times in your lifetime but in general, wedding days are a unique and once in a lifetime experience.

USE delicious prosecco and local wines...

TOP TIPS

After talking to lots of clients, and helping them budget for their big day, here are a few tips on how you can make some savings that have proved helpful in the past.
– Instead of a gift list, ask your family and friends to make a cash donation towards your honeymoon. What you save on the honeymoon can then go towards the wedding.
– Reduce your guest list, perhaps holding a smaller party when you get home.
– Do your own hair and makeup. Or better still, invite a friend who just happens to be a hairdresser or a beautician!
– Make your own save the date cards, invitations and thank you cards. Perhaps using postcards from your venue to give your guests an idea of the stunning setting and event you are planning for them.
– Create a wedding website and do your invitations via email. That way, not only will it cost less, but your site can constantly be updated giving lots of information about your venue, Italy, travel plans, hotels etc.
Don’t worry if some of your older guests are not quite up to date with Google & co as you can always do a smaller number of more traditional handmade invites for them and they will no doubt be so delighted at the thought of a wedding in Italy that they will not give the invite a second glance. Besides, handmade invites add a personal touch that many weddings lack today.
– Reduce floral decoration to a more minimalist style. Many venues in Italy are surrounded by such natural beauty and flowers that your guests won’t even notice if you have fewer flowers on the table. They will be too busy looking at what is around them and, of course, at you.
– Use delicious prosecco (Italian champagne) and local wines instead of spending huge amounts on fancy names most people can’t pronounce anyway! Being surrounded by vineyards and producing its very own fine wines, Villa Giona is an ideal place to get not only a great selection of local wines but great prices too.
– Look at how you can save on the music score and perhaps instead of having a band and a DJ, go for just the band and then use an iPod with your favourite music for the after dinner part of your reception. At Villa Giona we have a stunning 12-piece jazz band and when your guests have been wowed at how amazing this is when they set upon the lawn and perform during your champagne reception, after dinner they will be quite happy to dance away to the sound of an iPod and not a live DJ.
– Look at ways of saving on a wedding cake. In Italy the wedding cake can easily be turned into the dessert and so another saving there without having to even think about it.
– Midweek dates are usually cheaper than weekends so ask your venue what they can offer you there. At Villa Giona for example, we have special mid week rates on our exclusive rentals.
– Bar costs. Instead of having an open bar all evening and the risk of some of your more notoriously thirsty friends drinking it and you dry, limit the time of the open bar. Another idea is simply to have the wines included with the wedding banquet and make it clear to your guests that thereafter, all other drinks are from the pay bar. But don’t worry, most people will be happy with this solution and many in fact will even feel easier knowing that they are not putting strains on your pocket and feel free to drink and pay for as much as they want to drink.
At Villa Giona Weddings, in order to help you make a saving from day one, we have a very SPECIAL OFFER for all readers of Dream Italian Weddings and Honeymoons. We will maintain our 2009 rates throughout 2010. In addition, we will offer readers a 10% discount on all exclusive villa rental fees of 2 days or more. A 10% discount on our wedding planner fees will also apply.
So next time you switch on the news and are bombarded with terms such as monetary funds and ‘FTSE’, stop and think about what footsie meant a few years back – a great under the table game setting the scene for more amorous pursuits to come! We look forward to seeing you in Italy where hopefully the only crunch you will have is the cornetto around your ice cream...’
www.villagionaweddings.com