They say that your wedding day is one of the most special ones of your life. At the same time, it is also highly likely to be one of the most expensive. If you simply don’t have the funds to spend on an expensive celebration, this is the article for you. Just because you host a more frugal wedding day, it doesn’t mean that it has to be a lousy one. So, here are a few tips and tricks which you can put into practice to hold a fantastic wedding on a budget.
Cut Down on the Guestlist
Each and every name that you add onto your guest list is going to force your budget up and up. Not only will you be buying dinner for people who you are not even that close to, your wedding will become less intimate as you invite more guests. When you are cutting back the list, make sure that you do it in a fair way between you and your partner. Just because you don’t like one of your groom’s loud-mouthed friends, it doesn’t mean that you can just cross him off without consultation!
Host the Ceremony Outdoors
One of the biggest expenses involved in planning a wedding is hiring out the venue. One way of negating this cost is by hosting the wedding outdoors instead. Perhaps you could even choose a public park with a beautiful view. Not only will you be saving money, you actually may even end up with a more special wedding venue if you choose wisely enough. However, you need to have a Plan B if the weather is not all that kind to you. This could just involve hiring out a tent or gazebo to shelter your guests from the elements.
Choose a Minimalist Flower Arrangement
Flowers are a big expense when you are planning your wedding day, and even though they look pretty, they will not stay with you for a long period of time. Instead of going big, you could instead choose a simple arrangement for the bridesmaids and yourself. Otherwise, you could pick them yourself rather than going to an expensive florist. Perhaps you have a friend who could help you out when it comes to making the arrangements.
Make Your Invitations
Rather than going for the fancy pre-prepared wedding invitations or enlisting a graphic designer, you could instead make your some DIY wedding invites. This way, you don’t have to spend a bundle of cash and you will have total control of what your invites look like - making them that little bit more special.
Borrow or Use Your Own Stereo
Hiring a professional DJ can end up being mighty expensive, so as an alternative, you could borrow some stereo equipment or else use your own. Next, you can create a playlist, giving yourself total control of the music that comes on. When it comes to positioning the speakers, the dancefloor is obviously the main area that you want to cover properly.
Don’t Pay for an Open Bar
Though paying for an open bar for your guests may feel like a nice gesture, there is no doubt that it is an expense that is going to mount up quickly. If you still want to offer drinks, you could limit the selection to beer and wine. Some venues will even allow you to stock your own alcohol, which will be a big money-saver. Search for the nearest discount liquor store in your area and go crazy! Remember, you are always better overestimating the amount of booze that you need. You don’t want to be remembered for hosting the wedding that ran out of alcohol. You can always take home whatever is left over.
Compare Prices for Decorations
There are plenty of budget decoration shops which host sales throughout the year. It is always worth shopping around to get the deal when it comes to making your wedding look fancy. Another alternative is to look into buying used centrepieces and decorations. You are likely to be able to find a recent bride online who is looking to claw back some of the expense of their big day.
Plan a Simple Honeymoon
Nowadays, it seems like many couples host honeymoons simply to fill up the Instagram feeds of their friends. You could actually end up having a much more enjoyable (and affordable) honeymoon by staying closer to home. The whole point of this time is that you enjoy it with your new spouse while unwinding from the huge amount of stress involved in planning your wedding day. You could even head out on a road trip to enjoy some of the sites in your own country that you have never had the chance to visit before.
Call on Your Social Circle for Help
You never know what connections that your friends and family have, so it is always worth telling more people about your wedding plans. Perhaps someone will be able to connect you with a skilled dressmaker or can get you a better deal on your dream venue. One day, you may be able to return the favour. If you don’t ask, you don’t get, as they say.
Don’t Overspend on the Minor Details
Though you may want every aspect of your big day to be perfect, you need to accept that you can’t fully control everything. Focus on the most important parts first and don’t sweat the small stuff. Make sure that you fully cost your budget to take everything into account, and set some aside for any overspending which is likely to happen.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways that you can cut corners while still hosting a wedding day which is fantastic for all those involved - particularly you and your partner. Use these tips as a starting point, and keep a close eye on your spending to avoid starting your married life together with no money!
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