How to save money when organizing a wedding in Montenegro
Money, money, money... and no matter how you look at it, you can’t live without it. I want to share a few life hacks on what you can and cannot save on when organizing a wedding.
• Hype always leads to higher prices, but if you do everything in advance you can bring down the price very well. Check out how much air travel costs half a year before the date, and a week before. Yes, a significant difference. And so it will be in everything. My advice to you is don’t wait until the last minute!
• Don't hesitate to ask about discounts and promotions. Of course, it’s not a fact that they will agree, but what the hell isn’t it? Last year, while in Budapest, I stayed in a hotel. After talking with the maid about the city, she “remembered” that the room rate included a 30% discount on visiting the thermal waters. It turned out quite well.
• Everyone loves wholesalers. Try to find out exactly how many guests will be able to come to your wedding, and based on their number, order accommodation or other services for everyone. So, when negotiating with a hairdresser about a wedding hairstyle, ask about the cost for your friends. What if there are 5 of them? Sometimes you can not reduce the price, but get additional services (when ordering an arch and a bouquet, you get a boutonniere as a gift).
• Before you pay for anything, take the time to monitor the offers. This is a completely different country and you don’t know the local prices and mentality. From the Turks, who ruled here for quite a long time, the Montenegrins adopted the love of talking and bargaining. And inexperienced, newly arrived tourists easily part with money.
• Use promo codes from experienced travelers. You will get a good discount when booking accommodation through booking.com
• You can bring some of the decor with you. Last year I had a bride who brought a wreath and bouquet made from foamiran especially for the photo shoot. The flowers looked lifelike! But if you decide to bring candles, keep in mind that due to the heat they can melt right in the suitcase and stain the entire luggage with greasy stains.
• When checking into a hotel, in restaurants and when purchasing excursions, mention that you are newlyweds - they often receive a compliment from the establishment on this occasion.
• Ask local experts for advice. Even at the stage of preliminary correspondence, I am often asked to recommend a good florist or a trusted videographer. Since these are related professions to photography, we often intersect at events and know who works and how. Of course, you shouldn’t blindly trust other people’s opinions, but it’s worth considering the option and studying the portfolio.
• To make your guests' vacation a little cheaper, you can pre-organize interesting leisure activities for them together. For example, on the second day of the wedding, go on a sailing yacht along the Bay of Kotor. Booking the entire ship without intermediaries will reduce the cost by 20 percent. And to make it even more memorable, you can order a photographer with you. Believe me, your friends will be delighted with this idea!
• Think about how you will spend your money. It is most profitable to bring part of the money in cash, and part on a Euro card. You can pay by bank transfer in restaurants and supermarkets, and when making purchases in large stores. Check in advance whether the hotel accepts plastic. If you have savings in dollars, do not rush to change them at home, because the bank will make a double conversion (dollar - national currency - euro) and charge a double commission. It is more profitable to exchange dollars upon arrival, but naturally not at the airport, but in a large city.
What you shouldn’t skimp on is your mood. Remember, there are four specialists whose work directly affects what you and your guests will remember about the holiday. This:
• organizer - his level and capabilities are best assessed not only by his portfolio on the Internet, but also in personal communication. If the preparation was meticulous, then the holiday will go off like clockwork.
• a stylist who must understand exactly what you want and have the necessary skills. I recommend making a test image in advance.
• wedding photographer. How you will remember this day many years from now will depend on how he tries. You should only contact professionals who are passionate about their business. You should like his editing style, angles and locations.
• the presenter sets the general mood. He is able to light up all the guests, or turn the holiday into a disaster.
By the way, to save a good amount of money, choose and negotiate with a photographer, videographer and stylist. Then you won’t have to pay the organizer a percentage for their selection, and most importantly, you will get exactly those you like.
