Your wedding day is one of the most exciting days of your life, and your budget shouldn’t ruin it. Luckily, there are some simple ways to cut the costs of getting married without sacrificing your happiness. Wedding planning on a budget can be a challenge, but one that opens up your creativity to creating the wedding you want without the extra money.
Your Expectations
The most important thing to remember is that your marriage is that your wedding doesn’t have to cost a fortune to be a wonderful event that friends and family will remember. You should cater the wedding to the tastes of your friends and family rather than opting for a totally traditional wedding when wedding planning on a budget. For example, if you know that your guests would enjoy a barbecue dinner after the ceremony, there isn’t any reason you have to have a traditional sit-down dinner.
If you do want to go the more traditional route, then you can do some of the cooking and prep work for the reception yourself to save more money for the most things that matter most to you and your partner. For instance, if you want to have an expensive wedding dress or cake, then you can cut costs in other areas to save.
Get Organized
When you are wedding planning on a budget, you will need to have an outline of the costs associated with your wedding. Ideally, your budget will be a little under what you can spend to allow for those last-minute purchases, such as a cake topper or pair of cuff links for the groom. Using a free wedding worksheet that you find online can be helpful in organizing your expenses, and setting an amount that you can afford for each expense on the list.
You will also want to create a timeline that allows you to do some of the prep for the wedding yourself. For example, if you are using fresh flowers from a local garden, you will need to have time to arrange them yourself the day before the wedding. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family. A willing bridesmaid or father-in-law can be a huge help in preparing food, flowers, and other pre-wedding necessities that you have taken on yourself.
Cutting Costs
One of the simplest ways to save money on your wedding day is to choose an inexpensive venue. Many local businesses have reception areas, or meeting rooms, that can be rented inexpensively for the day. By choosing a budget-friendly venue, you can use your savings to invest in something that is more important to you and your partner. Remember that most business venues will be a bit bland compared to churches and more costly locations, and decorate the room before the big day.
Fresh flowers are one area where compromise can be a challenge, but that doesn’t mean that you need to spend your whole budget on fresh calla lilies. Rather than opting for exotic flowers, look for varieties that are both beautiful and cheap. For instance, carnations or daisies can give you the fresh flowers you want to decorate without costing too much. If you are getting married in the summer or later spring, flowers will also be less expensive when purchased from a local grower rather than through a florist.
Guest Author: Nicole Rodgers has been blogging in the wedding, travel, and fitness industries for three years. Last year Nicole’s best friend asked her to decorate her outdoor wedding. Nicole decided that wedding lanterns would be perfect for the outdoor wedding.
