Did you know the holiday season is one of the most popular times of the year for marriage proposals (right behind Valentines Day)? If you were among those who became engaged this holiday season, congratulations! This is a very exciting time for you! If you are like most brides and grooms, you are probably on a budget and may need some guidance to get the most bang for your buck. The good news is it is easy to stretch a dollar in your wedding reception without sacrificing the quality and elegance of your event. Whether your budget is large or small, the Salem Convention Center service staff is here to answer your questions and guide you through every detail to ensure your special day is everything you envisioned! Sarah Utterback is one of our event planning experts we have on staff and she has some advice for brides on budget. 1. Book an all inclusive venue for your ceremony and/or reception. This can save you a lot of money and hassle in the long run. Look for a venue that includes all tables, chairs, centerpieces and linen in their room rental. Our room rental includes all of the above along with a dedicated banquet staff to set the room and tear it down! This allows for the bride and groom to arrive, enjoy their event and bid farewell to their guests without any worry. 2. Rather than party favors, create a fun Candy Bar for your guests. You supply the candy and bags, we'll supply all of the containers & table décor! By visiting a store like Winco or Costco, you will save quite a bit on candy and be able to match your event's color scheme. This is an affordable alternative for party favors and adds a beautiful element to your décor…your guests will love it! 3. Stick with simple and elegant floral arrangements. Rather than splurging on an extravagant variety of flowers, choose an affordable, large statement flower. Hydrangeas are an elegant flower and have very large blooms that can go along way when used in a bouquet or centerpiece. You won't sacrifice the elegance for this affordable stem. 4. Create a warm ambiance with candles Candles are an affordable element that can turn any tablescape into an elegant one. That glimmer and sparkle can make any event come to life. 5. Cap your beverages If you are not careful, the cost of wine and spirits can get out of control quickly. If you will be serving alcohol at your wedding, set a limit. Let the venue know where you would like to cap your hosted beverages then the bar will turn to a no – host bar. It is easy to keep track of alcohol consumption by providing 1 - 2 drink tickets for each guest to redeem at the bar. Your guests will feel taken care of, but won't take advantage of the “free alcohol”. From menu selection, place settings, room layout and overall décor, the Salem Convention Center event planning staff is here to help. Click here to learn more about our wedding services or email us at sales@salemconventioncenter.org.
