Editor's note: This is the second of a two-part feature on Utah weddings. Part one on bridal trends ran April 14.
Think unique, set a budget and determine your priorities — it's just that simple.
While the average Utah couple spends about $12,500 to celebrate their marriage, a bride and groom who know what they want and also monitor their spending can plan a dream wedding, but for less expense, according to industry experts and newlyweds.
The first step is to determine your budget and stick to it.
Then prioritize. Do you want a fantastic wedding gown or an ultra-professional photographer? What about your reception, food or flowers?
Robin Saville, owner of BrideAccess.com, said couples can easily double their expenses without a budget. He said he has watched couples fall in love with a reception place, think it's only $400 to rent, and then be shocked that it's actually $1,200. They'll still book the place and continue spending.
"Pretty soon they are double their budget and they either have to finance the wedding or fund it based off Dad's tax return," Saville said. "It becomes discouraging to the family and the bride to not budget or talk about it."
Jana Fullmer, a recent Salt Lake City bride, said she and her husband didn't set a specific budget, but planned their wedding with the goal to spend on important items and cut where they didn't care.
For them, a band was essential, but a fancy wedding cake, bridesmaids and indoor reception hall weren't a priority.
"There are so many corners you can cut and still have a wonderful event," said Fullmer, who held her reception in her parents' back yard. "I would tell brides to determine what is most important to them and be willing to be flexible on things that aren't the most important. Having fun music and having the band, that really was something that made it for us."
So, how do you prioritize and where do you cut back?
Let's start with the venue. First, don't blink when your favorite Utah reception hall says rental rates this spring and summer are $2,000 or more. Add the cost of required in-house catering, and expenses could easily double or triple.
So, what can a budget-minded bride do? Even "no-cost" options such as a back yard or church require cash, including fees for table rentals and decorating. There's also the added stress on Mom and family, who must find a wafy to set up and dismantle the event.
Regardless, Kate Burton with BrideAccess.com said picking a venue that allows outside catering can save big cash. A couple could host an ice cream bar for only a few hundred dollars, she said. Another idea would be to buy a large wedding cake, serve it midway through the evening, and then consider it as part of catering expenses.
"The No. 1 cost is the food," Burton said. "If you start to think outside of the box ... there are creative ways to do food."
Adrienne Crockett said she saved money by serving sandwiches and soup during her reception at the Alumni House at Utah State University. Typically, a state- or federal-owned building or park costs less than a private site, according to Burton.
Brooke Backman, a Brigham Young University-Idaho student, plans to serve hamburgers, hotdogs and salads at her reception this month. It will be in an outdoor pavilion in Salt Lake City, and her whole goal is to have the event be comfortable and casual, she said.
Meanwhile, Laura Hansen has booked the 23rd Floor in the Wells Fargo Center for her August nuptials. She's counting on the view to serve as her main decor and said she saved about $2,000 by scheduling a daytime wedding and reception.
"The view is the main centerpiece of the place," Hansen said. "We will have flowers and that type of stuff, but we don't need backdrops or canopies or tents. It's nice to choose a place that already looks good."
And the photography and the dress?
On average, Utah brides spend about $700 on their wedding gowns, according to Robyn Dunn, owner of The Perfect Dress in Salt Lake City. Alterations can add a few hundred dollars to the bill, and high-end veils range from $75 to $150, she said.
But brides who scan the racks can snag gowns on sale for $99, according to Dunn. Other options include buying a cheap bridesmaid dress and then altering it to be one-of-a-kind, according to Burton.
Crockett said she made her own gown, while Backman considered renting a dress until she found a gown at a friend's store.
There also is eBay. A quick search showed more than 16,000 gowns listed on the popular online marketplace, and bids on the items ranged from a few dollars to thousands. The challenge, however, is to ensure you get what you pay for and that alterations won't be too expensive, according to Dunn.
She gave the example of a girl who thought she purchased a size 4 Maggie Cetero dress, but ended up with a size 12.
As for photography, most professionals use the cliche "you get what you pay for" to describe their services. Brody Dezember, owner of Brody Dezember Photography in Salt Lake City, said $2,000 is a reasonable initial investment for a person seeking a top wedding photographer in Utah.
At Busath Studio & Gardens, the average bride spends about $5,000 for all-day coverage, according to photographer Miyo Strong.
But couples who search for sales or a special discount can spend less, Strong said. Another option would be to hire a photographer to just shoot a wedding ceremony or images of a couple celebrating outside a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At Busath, prices average approximately $1,000 for a ceremony.
Other techniques include looking for photographers who sell their film or digital negatives to save on the cost of professional printing. A couple also could hire a photo-savvy friend, or seek a photographer from a nearby college or newspaper.
Robin Saville, owner of BrideAccess.com, said there are only a few things a couple can keep from their wedding day, and photography is top (besides your significant other). He encourages budget-minded couples to not skimp too much in this area, but still look for a deal.
Where else can you save?
For her wedding this March, Karen Osborne of Bountiful decided to make her own cake with Rice Krispies, ribbon and flowers. It was a showpiece and the the talk of her guests, she said.
And from a distance, it didn't look any different than a typical cake. Total cost: about $45.
"We really loved it, and ... we did get A LOT of comments about it," Osborne wrote in an e-mail. "We went with this kind of cake because I don't like regular cake, and I've always wanted a Rice Krispie one."
Other tips include cutting back on guest lists or trading services with friends. Instead of a reception with an invitation list of 600, Alex Davis invited close family and friends to a sit-down dinner to celebrate her wedding this month. The groom's family helped with costs because the couple also opted to skip the traditional wedding luncheon.
Fullmer said she believes a couple shouldn't be scared to ask friends and family to help offset costs. An artistic friend could design a couple's sign-in book as part of their gift. Others could film video, or design a cake.
"There are a lot of people willing to help, and if they know they can help in a way that's meaningful, they'd probably love to do it," Fullmer said.
Tips to save
Make your own cake: Karen Osborne of Bountiful made her cake out of Rice Krispies. It was decorated with ribbon and fresh flowers and cost about $45.
Economize on photos: The average bride spends about $5,000 for a photographer from Busath Studio & Gardens to shoot all her wedding events. But hire the same shooter for just your wedding ceremony, and the average price is about $1,000.
Scan the racks: Trendy but discontinued wedding dresses are available at most bridal stores for as little as $99. You could also borrow from a friend or buy a gown on eBay.
Do your own catering: A simple sheet cake or ice cream bar can cost only a few hundred dollars. Traditional catering can be in the thousands.
Don't make it a late night: By scheduling her wedding and reception during the daytime, Laura Hansen said she will save about $2,000 off the cost of her wedding this August.
Barbecue, anyone?: Brooke Backman plans to host a barbecue for her reception this month. She and her fiance want to wear shorts and open-toed shoes.
Fewer fresh flowers: Use live plants or brightly colored fruit for table centerpieces. The plants can second as a gift to family and friends.
Wedding costs
While the average Utah bride spends about $12,500 for her wedding and reception, the cost for individual wedding services can range widely, according to Robin Saville, owner of BrideAccess.com.
But on average, here's what a bride can look to spend:
PHOTOGRAPHY $1,000 - $3,500
DRESS $700
CAKE $300 - $700
VIDEOGRAPHY $1,200 - $3,000
INVITATIONS $2.50 - $4 per invitation *
RECEPTION HALL Varies widely depending upon day of the week, number of guests, catering, etc.
* Can vary based on quantity
SOURCE: BrideAccess.com; Robyn Dunn, The Perfect Dress
E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com