Weddings are supposed to be one of the happiest days of your life, but they can also be incredibly expensive. With the average cost of a wedding tipping over $30,000, not everyone will have that kind of money to spend on their big day. If you're looking to save money on your wedding, here are some tips to help you do just that.
1. Set a Budget
Before you start planning your wedding, you need to decide on a budget. Figure out how much you can realistically afford to spend and make sure to stick to it. It's easy to get carried away with all the different options available, but it's important to remember that the most important thing is that you're getting married to the person you love, not how much money you spend on the day. If you don’t already have a budget for day-to-day living or need help on how to create a budget check out “Creating a budget with the personal budget tracker”. This will help you find where you can save money to put aside for your wedding.
2. Prioritise Your Spending
Once you have a budget in mind, prioritise your spending. Decide which aspects of the wedding are the most important to you and allocate more money towards those areas. For example, if you really want a fancy wedding cake, then consider cutting back on other areas such as flowers or decorations.
3. Consider a Non-Traditional Venue
One of the biggest expenses for a wedding is the venue. Some venues can cost thousands of dollars. Instead of booking a traditional wedding venue, consider other options such as a park, a beach, or even your own backyard. These options can be significantly cheaper and can offer a unique and personal touch to your wedding.
4. Have a Small Guest List
Another way to save money on your wedding is to have a small guest list. The more people you invite, the more money you'll need to spend on food, drinks, and other expenses. Consider only inviting close family and friends to keep costs down.
5. DIY Decorations
If you're crafty, consider making your own decorations. DIY decorations can be a fun and inexpensive way to add a personal touch to your wedding. You can make your own centrepieces, table runners, and can get ideas from social media sites such as Etsy and Pinterest.
6. Serve a Buffet or Family-Style Meal
Instead of having a formal sit-down dinner with all the bells and whistles, consider serving a buffet or family-style meal. This can be a great way to save money on catering while still offering your guests plenty of food options.
7. Rent or Borrow Items
Instead of buying everything for your wedding, consider renting or borrowing items. For example, you can rent chairs, tables, and even linens from a party rental company. You can also ask family and friends if they have any items you can borrow such as decorations or serving dishes.
8. Shop Sales and Discounts
When shopping for your wedding, be sure to keep an eye out for sales and discounts. Many retailers offer discounts on wedding items such as dresses, tuxedos, and invitations. Be sure to sign up for email lists and follow your favourite wedding vendors on social media to stay up to date on any sales or discounts they may be offering. Attending Bridal fairs is also a good place to get ideas that you can implement yourself.
9. Get married in the off season
Most people want a Spring or Summer wedding however these times are very popular and you will be competing with hundreds of other couples for venues, caterers, and photographers. Opting for an Autumn or Winter wedding will give you a larger choice of dates for the event and potentially save you money on venues, caterers, and photographer. You will also have beautiful settings for photographs with Autumn leaves or Winter snow as your backdrop.
10. Avoid the "W" word
Some venues and catering suppliers will add a "Wedding tax" to their services. Of course it won't be advertised as a "Wedding tax" but they will charge an increased amount simply because it is for a wedding. To avoid this "tax" make sure you enquire in general terms about venues and catering supplies and all wedding related items.
Final word
A wedding doesn't have to break the bank. With some careful planning and budgeting, you can have a beautiful and memorable wedding without spending a fortune. Remember, the most important thing is that you're getting married to the person you love, so don't stress too much about the little details. Focus on what's truly important and enjoy your special day.