With the cost of weddings spiraling upwards of $27,000 (depending on where you plan to have your wedding), and the unstable economy, many engaged couples are looking for ways to save money on their wedding. We, at Completely Weddings, have listed 101 ways to cut your wedding cost and thereby saving you money to use somewhere else such as your honeymoon or savings for your first home.

Part 10 Music/Entertainment

Saving on Your Wedding Music/Entertainment

71. Put together your own music – Skip the DJ and play music from a CD you’ve burned for the occasion, or hook up your iPod and set it to a special wedding playlist.

72. Have a friend or family member announce you – If you’re playing your own music, enlist a friend or family member to announce the wedding party as they enter.

73. Make your own short video – Rent a projector (or borrow one from work if you can!) and put together a short video of the bride and groom together. Set it to music and play your video after dinner.

74. Set up a slideshow – Rent or borrow a projector and set up a slideshow or pictures of you and your husband. Set it to loop so guests can catch all your pictures throughout the reception.

75. Enlist a local band – If you know of a good local band, or are friends with any musicians, enlist them to play for the ceremony or reception.

76. Hire student musicians – If you want live music for your ceremony, you can often find a beautiful rendition of traditional of classical music by looking for talented students. Many high schoolers are much better than they get credit for. Contact a high school band director and ask him to see if any of his best students are interested. They will likely do it for a very affordable price. Make sure you get to hear them play your selected piece a couple times before you hire them.

Read our previous post: Selecting Your Wedding Music for tips in finding the perfect soundtrack for the first day of the rest of your lives together.

Read previous posts:

101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding - Part 1: Wedding Planning

Next Topic: 101 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding - Part 11: Photography and Videograph

Photo Credit: Kimberly Brimhall’s Photo Stream

Wedding Fireworks

Brides who want something different and unique on their special day may consider adding wedding fireworks at their wedding reception. Celebrities have been doing this for a decade and you do not need to be a celebrity to avail of this slowly growing trend for wedding celebrations.  Most everyone enjoys fireworks – the sights and sounds of the bright lights bring joy and smiles.  You have a variety of firework displays to choose from -  from the simple sparklers to a grad, lavish and artistic fireworks outdoor display, just like the fourth of July.

Wedding Firework Displays

We have listed the general types of firework displays below together with their approximate costs to help you choose which one is for you:

• Sparklers. These are the most frequently used fireworks in weddings.  They vary in size, color and approximate burn time.  Guests can hold up the lighted sparklers and form a line as the newlyweds enters or leaves the reception.  Larger sparkles can be placed in the ground to line the driveway as the newlyweds leave the reception.  Hand held sparklers costs less than $100.  Larger ones could cost closer to set piece display below.

• Set Piece Display. If your display budget is less, you might check the yellow pages in the area of your event under ‘fireworks’ for a Professional Display company that may be able to accommodate you with a Set Piece Display.  A set piece can be letters like “Congratulations”, “Mike & Terry”, “Good Luck!” and may run $6-$20 per letter  depending upon size or detailed designs like a ‘Heart’, ‘Wedding Cake’ and might run $75-$500, depending upon how simple or how fancy your request might be.

• Indoor Display. This display costs approx $1,500 – 2,000 minimum plus $ 50-$75 per table for licensing, permit fees, insurance, pyrotechnician, and table/ice fountains.

• Outdoor Display.  This can vary from a 3-minute show to a grand display similar to fourth of July fireworks display and can cost from approximately $3,000 minimum and above.

Here is a video on the use of fireworks for weddings including some special effects such as smoke and popping balloons that might inspire you in creating your own special show.

Before you set your heart on having fireworks either indoor or outdoor at your wedding reception, please heed these advice:

• Ask the venue management if they allow fireworks.

• Choose to use the services of a reputable fireworks company

• Set about a 30-day lead time for your fireworks show.  It will take time for your fireworks vendor to apply for the necessary permits and scout the site for a launching area sufficiently removed from onlookers.

However you decide to use fireworks displays, when they are consumed correctly, appropriately and safely, then they can create a spectacular show and really impress your guests, family and friends, not to mention that fireworks displays can give a phenomenal finale to an already noteworthy day.

Photo credit:  Walt Disney World Resorts

Another unique and fun alternative to the “first dance” as husband and wife is to perform a choreographed “broadway-style” song-and-dance. I found this video on YouTube and I just fell in love with it! The couples were so adorable performing their “first dance” to “Here’s to Love” from the movie “Down with Love.” Hope it inspires you to create something similar to what they had done.