In a world of weddings that can cost well over $50,000, the pressure to have the perfect wedding is intense. While this may be good for some couples, it could also cause undue stress and financial hardship on others looking for a more modestly priced day. In order to ease your worries about how much you’re going to spend on your upcoming nuptials, we’ve compiled a list of budgeted ideas that will help you stay within your means without sacrificing any quality.
This blog will help you find some of the most affordable options for your big day, including suggestions for invitations, dresses, flowers and more. Read on to learn about all the ways you can cut costs without sacrificing quality or style!
1. Set a Budget for Your Wedding
The most important thing you can do to save money on your wedding is set a budget for it. Without one, you’ll likely find yourself spending more than you need to. By estimating how much you’re willing (or able) to spend on your wedding, it’s easier to stay within that budget during the planning process. Talk with your fiancé about what is most important to both of you, and set aside any funds specifically for this particular event.
Now that you have a budget, the next step is determining how much of that total cost will go toward different aspects of the wedding. What are some of the most important elements to each person?
For example, some couples might determine that photography is more important than music while others prioritize the opposite. Allocating funds will also help you handle any unexpected costs as you go along and will help you stay within your budget.
2. Consider a Smaller Guest List to Save on Food and Venue Costs
The next way to save on your budget is by considering a smaller guest list. If you’re having a number of people who are attending the wedding, but you’ll only be feeding a smaller number of them, consider a sit-down meal instead of an open bar or buffet. This will help to cut down on costs like dishes and silverware while also saving money on food. Of course this won’t work for all guests, but it’s worth considering if you’re looking for ways to keep costs low.
One way to keep food costs down is to have an evening or morning reception with fewer people. You can even consider having fewer courses during the meal!
You may also be able to save money by choosing a more modest venue. One way to do this is by getting married on a weekday instead of the weekend. This will help to cut down on rental fees as well as hotel costs, and can potentially lower costs for some other services like flowers and decorations as well.
If you’re on a tight budget, consider getting married at home, renting a garden for the event, or booking a holiday party room instead of hotel ballroom. All these options offer more affordable solutions to celebrate your wedding day.
3. Start Planning Your Event Early to Take Advantage of Discounts
The third way to save money on your wedding is by planning in advance. Patience can pay off in the form of discounted costs, especially for services like catering, officiants, venues and more. Waiting until the last minute to book these things will cost you more because these providers are often already booked up or have higher rates for last-minute bookings. Planning ahead will also help you take advantage of lower prices when it comes to things like flowers, cakes and decorations since these vendors often offer specials to people who commit in advance.
It’s important to start thinking about your budget well before the wedding, and the best time to do this is as soon as you decide to get married. Finding discounts can mean big savings for you and it may be difficult to find them later on without spending a lot of time and effort.
If you need help setting up a budget, be sure to talk with professionals like wedding planners and personal financial advisors who can offer professional guidance and really help you come up with a plan that will work for you.
4. Get Creative with DIY Ideas — Invitations or Floral Arrangements
If you’re good at making handmade cards, consider doing your own invitations instead of buying them from a print shop. Or, if you have a green thumb and love working with flowers, make your floral arrangements yourself rather than outsourcing this service for a high price tag.
5. Shop Around for the Best Deals — Cakes, Dresses, Flowers, Etc.
As with any major purchase, the best way to save on wedding costs is by comparison shopping. Whether you’re looking for a venue, caterer, dress or cake vendor, shop around and compare what they offer before making a final decision.
The internet offers lots of resources that can help you find vendors that are in your area. You can also use sites like Pinterest to look at pictures of things you like and find contact information for vendors who might be able to create it for you.
It’s important to read reviews of these vendors so that you know whether they have worked with clients in the past who were satisfied. In this way, you will be able to gauge whether the vendor has a good reputation and whether they are reputable.
The internet also offers a wealth of information on vendors and their services. It is an excellent resource for comparison shopping because you can view platforms like Yelp where users review various vendors and what their experiences may have been.
In addition to looking on your computer, it is also worth doing research at your favorite bookstore or library as well as asking friends for recommendations. This can be a great way to find talented vendors who might not have necessarily been on your radar.
6. Use Social Media to Find Vendors Who are Willing to Work Within your Budget
A great way to find vendors who are willing to work within your budget is through social media. Companies like The Knot and Wedding Wire offer free tools on their websites that can help you find vendors like caterers, videographers, florists, etc. Vendors will have profiles on these sites where customers can leave reviews about the vendor’s work, which can be a great place to start looking for potential vendor listings.
It’s important to do your research before making any decision with regard to booking a vendor. Take some time to look at pictures of their work and read reviews of them so that you know what kind of quality they offer before you sign anything or pay any money.
Opting for an individual with a personality that makes you feel more at ease every time you talk to them on the phone or in person is a better idea. This way, you will be able to get on the same page and start planning right away.
We’ve compiled a list of budgeted ideas that will help you stay within your means without sacrificing any quality. Which one are you considering for your wedding? Let me know in the comments below!
