Your wedding is the most special day of your entire life. You deserve it to be as romantic, fun, and magical as you have always imagined.
That doesn’t mean you need to go way over budget, though. While weddings are inevitably more expensive than your average party, you don’t have to spend more than you can realistically afford. Otherwise, your big day will end up tainted with financial worries.
To save money without compromising your wedding dreams, use these ten helpful money-saving tips.
1: Get a Package Deal
You can combine many of your wedding expenses, such as the catering, alcohol, and venue, into one package deal. More often than not, this is the cheaper option for your big day, as you don’t have to pay multiple businesses individually.
Luckily, there are excellent package deals to please any wedding planner, helping you plan a wedding that you will never forget. If you like the idea of getting married on the water, for example, you can find the perfect wedding yacht rental to stay within your budget. It just goes to show you don’t have to go over your budget to experience luxury on your big day.
2: Stay Local
Many people like the idea of traveling abroad for their wedding. While this is an option, it’s usually not a cheap one. You will have to travel back and forth from your chosen location, which can quickly run your wallet dry. Plus, you will have to consider how your wedding guests will get there. Will you be providing a form of transport?
There are beautiful wedding venues almost everywhere, so consider staying local to save both time and money. Ask around for some recommendations – you might find the perfect location on your doorstep.
3: Use the Help of Talented Friends
Some of the biggest costs for a wedding are the caterers and photographers. This is where your talented friends could come in handy. Your friends will likely offer you help at a discounted price, so you can still reap the benefits of their services without paying a stranger a big chunk of money. Just remember to still pay them a fair price and to give them some time off to have a dance with you!
4: Decide What is Most Important
If you want a budget wedding, you can’t have everything. Don’t worry – this isn’t as disheartening as it sounds. In reality, having everything you want at a wedding is often a waste. You likely won’t notice each individual flower when you’re getting swept off your feet on the dance floor.
To stick to a budget, write a list and highlight what is most important. That way, you can choose to spend more money on one area and less on another. For example, you might decide to spend less money on alcohol but put more effort into decorating.
5: Keep it Small
A big wedding is a dream for many, but are they worth it? If you are OK with having a smaller wedding, it is something to consider, both for your budget and your sanity. With fewer people to host, the day becomes a smoother and less expensive one.
Not only that, but a smaller wedding also means only your nearest and dearest are present. A small wedding is a more intimate affair that everyone will feel perfectly comfortable at.
6: Get Involved in Creating Décor
Wedding decorations are expensive, so why not create some yourself? There are tons of great crafts ideas for decorations, letting you decorate your wedding venue with your creations. You could weave some flower crowns, fill baskets with flowers, or even create wooden signs to point your guests in the right direction.
7: Shop Second Hand
For the little bits and pieces that make up the wedding, you can always shop second-hand. If you’re willing, you could even shop for second-hand wedding dresses or suits. There are plenty of lovely vintage dresses for a fraction of the full price, letting you live your princess wedding dream without having to spend tens of thousands on the dress.
Second-hand wedding decorations are also a good idea. There is no reason beautiful décor can’t get a second life!
8: Get Married on a Weekday
Most people want to get married on a weekend. It makes sense, that’s when most people are available. That also makes the wedding more expensive, though, so consider scheduling yours during a weekday instead. If you want to slash the price even further, January, March, April, and November are the cheapest months to get married. A nice Thursday in April could be your perfect, budget-friendly wedding!
9: Use a Mix of Flowers and Candles
Flowers are a big part of wedding décor, but they are also expensive. That doesn’t mean you have to do without them, though. Instead, bring candles into the mix to fill in the decorations. That way, you won’t have to spend quite so much money on expensive bouquets. Plus, candles provide a beautiful glow and are perfect for a rustic-themed wedding.
10: Create and Stick to a Budget
The most important tip for saving money on your wedding is to create a budget and then stick to it – diligently.
Without a wedding budget, you run the risk of overspending too quickly. You might not think about how expensive the caterer or decorations are individually, but altogether it could end up draining your bank balance.
To make sure your wedding doesn’t cost too much, create a realistic budget early on and then stick to it. If your budget doesn’t allow you the wedding you want, you could always think about pushing the date back a little to give you and your partner more time to save. In the future, you won’t remember waiting an extra couple of months, but you will remember the wedding itself!
Planning a wedding on a budget can be tricky, especially when you have tons of ideas for your big day. These ten tips will help you achieve your perfect wedding without spending more money than you have to.
