Are you planning to get married and don't want to spend a fortune?
Good news: municipalities have returned to the wedding business after the closure forced by the pandemic, which opens an economic option for couples who want to follow a tight budget.
Wedding bells will ring again in places like the New York Marriage Office.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday that the city will once again allow appointment bookings starting Monday and begin issuing marriage licenses on Friday.
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Town hall weddings are a popular way to get married without spending a lot of money.
In New York, a license costs only $ 35, and if you want to host the ceremony on-site, you have to shell out an additional $ 25.
New York wedding planner Amy Shey Jacobs, founder of the company Chandelier Events, hopes that couples will rush to get married in the Big Apple city hall with the mayor's decision.
"There will be many couples willing to make their relationship official" in these economic conditions, he said.
"They may have a city hall wedding and then an incredible booze brunch. They've been waiting all this time and they want to get on with their lives," she said.
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New York's move comes after other cities like Chicago and San Francisco also reopened their marriage agencies.
The timing couldn't be better.
Many couples have postponed their plans because of the pandemic, but the marriage industry is now booming.
The CEO of well-known wedding specialist The Knot Worldwide, Timothy Chi, predicts an increase in celebrations of between 20% and 25% this year and in 2022, compared to levels before the coronavirus health crisis.
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While the cost of weddings dropped in 2020, averaging $ 19,000 per party, couples who delayed their wedding last year now expect their reception budget to average $ 22,500, according to the site. wedding planning website.
"Couples are ready to go all out again," Chi said recently on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street."
"There is really no better way to re-enter post-COVID times than with a huge celebration," he said.
If you want to host a reception that doesn't cost you a fortune, take a look at the number of guests first.
"Before you go out and start planning and searching, have an idea of the number of people you want to entertain, so you don't get a surprise afterward," recommends Jacobs.
The budget goes beyond food and drink.
Do not forget the possibility of adding additional tables, the expense of waiters or the printing of invitations.
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Also investigate the products that specialized suppliers give.
Three-quarters of couples recently surveyed by WeddingWire, in collaboration with Acorn's Grow, said they set a budget before speaking to companies that offer wedding services.
In practice, this can make a big difference between expectations and reality.
The survey reveals that 2 out of 3 couples ended up seeing their initial budget increase.
To save money, it is always a good resource to plan the celebration in advance, since last minute reservations are usually more expensive.
Being flexible is also a good option to try not to inflate the budget.
That could mean being open to having a wedding on Thursday or Sunday, rather than the traditional Saturday, or looking for easier-to-get, perhaps seasonal, flowers than more expensive options.
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"Ask your supplier for information: What can I spend on? Where can I save and how can I get the same for less?"
Jacobs suggested.
Whichever way you decide to get married, the industry is ready. People are ready to come together and celebrate the good times. We are going to see weddings of all shapes and sizes, "the expert reiterated.
