You’ve decided to tie the knot — congrats! But before you start wedding planning, it’s important to think about how much money you and your partner are willing (and able) to spend.
“A lot of couples get lost in the details of planning a wedding Photographer but forget about the bigger picture,” says Kristy Sammis, founder of The Wedding Planner’s Daughter. “It’s important to sit down together and make sure you’re on the same page before starting.”
Are you also on the list of those not sure when they to get married, but are certain that it’s going to cost you a pretty penny? So how do we cut down on expenses without compromising the experience for our guests? Here are a few tips and tricks
Set a budget
Set a budget
One of the most important things you can do before planning a wedding is set a budget. You should know exactly how much it will cost before you get too far into the planning process so you can figure out if there are ways to cut costs without affecting the quality of your day.
Plan ahead
Planning ahead will save you money in the long run because it allows you time to look around for deals or coupons before buying things like flowers or decorations for your reception hall. If you wait until the last minute, there won’t be much left in terms of discounts or extra savings opportunities like free shipping days or happy hour specials on alcohol at local liquor stores; these offers usually disappear quickly once they’re gone so don’t wait until the last minute to buy these items if you want to save money!
Get creative with your guest list
Get creative with your guest list. The more people you invite, the more money you’ll spend on food and drinks, as well as gifts for each guest. On the other hand, fewer guests mean less stress and more savings. If you have family members who live far away or friends who can’t afford to come, ask them if they’d like to send a gift instead of attending the ceremony itself.
Have a small ceremony in lieu of an expensive reception dinner or reception only without dinner. Smaller ceremonies are becoming increasingly popular — especially among millennials — because they’re less expensive than traditional weddings and can be held anywhere from parks to barns to homes. If you do decide to go this route, consider having a separate party after your wedding day so guests can celebrate with food and drink (and perhaps even dancing
Go paperless
There are plenty of free or inexpensive websites where you can create beautiful wedding invitations and save trees in the process.
If you’re planning to send invitations and other wedding-related information via email, that’s a cost-saving right there. You can also use social media to spread the word about your wedding. And don’t forget about snail mail: Send out postcards instead of invitations and save money on postage!
Buy off-season flowers and plants. If you’re buying flowers for your bouquet or centerpieces, check out the florists in your area for deals on seasonal flowers during the off-season. You’ll usually find that prices are lower and there will be less competition for their services at this time of year as well. Also, if you order from catalogs or online sites like eBay, you can often find great deals on arrangements that have been discontinued by florists but still look great!
Shop around for the best venue
Shop around for the best venue. If you’re having a larger wedding, this is particularly important because it might be hard to find a location that fits your budget and has enough space for all your guests.
Many couples do not realize that most venues offer discounts for off-peak times, such as weekdays and weekends, or for booking the entire venue. Many venues also offer deals on food, beverages and other services. For example, if you want to serve alcohol at your reception, ask about their open bar packages. You might find that your budget is less than you expected! To get started, check out our guide to saving money on a wedding reception venue here.
Be flexible
Be willing to make compromises and not get hung up on every little detail that you want at your wedding — or find ways to incorporate those details into other elements of your wedding that don’t cost as much.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of spending more money than you need to on things like flowers and decorations if you’re not willing to compromise. It might be tempting to have an elaborate floral arch for your ceremony or an elaborate cake for dessert, but if that means compromising on other aspects of your wedding day, it might not be worth it in the long run. “If one aspect is more expensive than expected, look at other areas that can be cut back,” says Sammis. “It’s better to have a smaller cake than no cake at all!”
Consider an alternative venue. If you’re looking for something unique or different from traditional churches or
Takeaway:
When it comes to a budget wedding, there is no doubt that it will be a fun money saving adventure. If you are planning to get married and are expecting the sky to fall if you can’t have the traditional wedding you dreamed of then stop right now! The idea that there has to be a certain price tag on your wedding day is total garbage. In fact, I bet if we sat down together and figured out everything you really want to see in your wedding – every guest, every meal, every decoration, every single photo opportunity – we could make any wedding at whatever price you want totally possible.