Savvy Celebrations
‘I need a dollar, a dollar is all I need’ is a saying that resonates deeply, especially for today’s brides. With rising food, petrol and housing prices, the cost-of-living crisis is felt everywhere. Yet, this shouldn’t deter you from planning your dream wedding. While it’s common to see wedding planning as a daunting and expensive task – especially when considering the costs of the dress and venue – your budget doesn’t have to vanish. Melbourne Wedding and Bride’s Josephine Day chats with Anna Angelidis, owner of KAT Flowers & Events, to explore cost-effective ways to achieve a luxurious wedding aesthetic.
Getting engaged is one of the most thrilling moments in your life, but it’s important to stay grounded while dreaming of your perfect wedding. Planning a beautiful celebration on a budget is entirely feasible, particularly when it comes down to those finer details. With creativity and careful planning, you can create a stunning atmosphere that feels luxurious without straining your finances. A budget doesn’t mean sacrificing elegance, it simply requires smart spending choices. Angelidis, a seasoned professional who graduated in 1990, brings extensive experience in organising weddings of all sizes through KAT Flowers & Events, a leading Melbourne florist specialising in wedding flowers. The company offers a wide range of services, including wedding arches, cakes, centrepieces, flower walls, personalised seating and more. “We work closely with you to create a stunning floral and event package uniquely tailored to your needs,” Angelidis assures, ensuring your vision comes to life beautifully.
The Thrifty Connoisseur
Navigating wedding décor suppliers is crucial for implementing cost-effective strategies while planning your special day. To avoid any financial surprises down the track, it’s essential to communicate your budget and vision clearly to potential suppliers. Look for professionals experienced in accommodating various budgets, as they can offer valuable, creative solutions that align with your financial parameters. It’s also important to find someone with whom you feel comfortable and can bounce ideas off, as wedding planning should be a memorable experience that you will cherish and share with others. From personalised wedding signs to beautiful ceremony arches, there are countless décor options that can suit any theme or style. While flowers are an essential part of any wedding, you may also consider choosing simple greenery or native plants like eucalyptus to create a stunning yet budget-friendly look, demonstrating that elegance can be achieved without extravagance.
Knowledgeable suppliers can help you identify cost-effective products without compromising on quality. KAT Flowers & Events serves as a onestop shop for planning services, day coordination and creative solutions. They are dedicated to ensuring your dream vision comes to life. “When the bride and groom are happy – that is our aim,” states Angelidis. With extensive experience working with countless brides, Angelidis prioritises “budget planning for our bride and groom,” as she collaborates closely to design breathtaking floral and event packages tailored to your unique vision. Committed to transparency, Angelidis ensures that you’ll stay within your budget, alleviating worries about hidden costs.
From Dream to Detail
Wedding packages can initially appear to be an ideal, easy solution for couples, offering the convenience of having everything planned and coordinated for them. However, it’s essential to consider how these packages can be customised to reflect your unique vision for the big day. So, what exactly is a wedding package?
Typically offered by venues, wedding agencies and suppliers, these packages are designed to simplify the planning process by bundling various services and amenities for both the ceremony and reception at a fixed price. While this can be convenient, the decision to purchase a wedding package ultimately comes down to personal preference – whether you prioritise efficiency or a tailored experience. Angelidis recognises the diverse lifestyles and preferences of brides and tailors her wedding packages to meet their individual needs, ensuring that you don’t have to compromise on quality or budget. “All our wedding packages are flexible,” she states, allowing items to be added or removed as needed. Understanding that finances can fluctuate, these customisable options let you adjust your package right up to your special day.
Angelidis has crafted three affordable wedding flower packages, designed with fresh seasonal blooms that can be colour-coordinated to match your attire. Each package provides exceptional quality and stunning designs within your budget. While wedding packages may work for some, it’s crucial to find a supplier who understands your vision and can adjust their offerings to bring it to life.
Flavourful Finds
Ah, food – arguably the highlight of any wedding, right alongside the heartfelt vows and the joy of seeing a couple become newlyweds. An atmosphere filled with delicious cuisine, celebration and love creates an unforgettable experience for guests. When planning your wedding, choosing affordable food options doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or flavour. Catering often represents one of the largest expenses, with some couples spending as much as $17,000 to feed their guests – crazy right! However, by creatively approaching your wedding menu, you can offer a memorable dining experience without stretching your budget. Instead of a traditional sit-down dinner, consider casual alternatives like small appetisers or DIY food stations. For dessert, swap a large wedding cake for smaller treats like cupcakes and assorted desserts.
Hiring an external caterer can alleviate financial worries, as they can tailor a menu to fit your budget while focusing on hearty, delicious options that will leave guests coming back for seconds. Angelidis also offers unique services like candy cart hire and a range of grazing and dessert boxes, perfect for up to ten guests, featuring a mix of sweet and savoury favourites. “Our grazing boxes can also be ordered for the bridal party and delivered to their house of choice,” she adds. By keeping your food simple yet satisfying, you can allocate more of your budget to other aspects of your wedding, ensuring a well-rounded celebration.
Image courtesy of Kari Bjorn Photography.