We can all agree that weddings are expensive. Creating a mindset of being budget conscience at the beginning of your wedding planning season will be beneficial long-term. Yes, you’ve dreamed of this day all your life (if you are the bride-to-be), but what are you, your fiance, and parents willing or able to spend. Consider our tips to help steer clear of unnecessary expenses and help to avoid accruing debt.
First, make your own budget. Sit down and ask yourselves: “How much do we have right now that we can use on the wedding?” Then calculate how much you can save between now and then. Next, add on what your parents are willing to contribute, if anything. Finally, ask yourself if you are willing to go into debt to pay for some of the wedding. Think carefully about the last one – are you willing to sacrifice parts of your future (putting a down payment on a home, having children right away) for a lavish wedding? The total here is your overall wedding budget. Know it, and stick to it!
Decide what is most important. Once you’ve added those components together, ask yourself what matters most at your wedding. Do your research and decide exactly how much those will be, and then find out if your remaining money will be enough to cover the rest of your expenses. If not, there are quite a few easy ways to trim some costly endeavors:
Do it yourself. Advanced computer and photo programs make it relatively easy and inexpensive to design some of the printed material you’ll need for your wedding. Craft your own centerpieces, enlisting the help of a friend or sister to do everyone’s hair and makeup or make your own jewelry. Don’t be afraid to ask around for friends and family who might be willing to help.
Be flexible on dates for your wedding. Fridays and Sundays are still considered during the weekend, which is convenient for guests from out of town, but generally less costly than the popular Saturday. Also, try to avoid holiday weekends or the most popular times of the year.
Consider guest list reductions. If you still have a large amount of people you don’t want to say no to, consider hosting an informal, less expensive get-together later to spend time with the people you couldn’t invite.
Bargain shop! A wedding gown can be a huge portion of the budget, and it’s something you probably don’t want to settle for. Look for sample sales, special promotions and more simple, yet elegant, gowns. Also, consider renting your gown instead of buying it.
Save on booze. Serving alcohol will add to your budget when it comes to your reception. Ask yourself, “Is it necessary to serve alcohol considering the cost or can you and your guest go without it?” Look into the options that you caterer has to make festive and fun alcohol free drinks that will be well-suited and budget friendly for your reception. If serving alcohol is a must, today, it’s perfectly appropriate to keep the options limited to beer, wine and soda, with mixed drinks available for cash purchase. Although rare, depending on your reception site and/or caterer, ask if you can provide the liquor and beverages for the open bar, and look into buying your own beverages at a discount liquor store or wholesale club.
Would you like more creative wedding ideas, find more on our blog!