It’s no secret that aside from being the happiest day in your life, a wedding day can also be the most expensive. Good planning in advance is the key to helping cut the cost long before you walk down the aisle.
There are myriad expenses in getting married. Of course, no two weddings are ever alike – just as no two couples are alike. Aside from deciding where you want the ceremony to be held, there are additional plans to make in terms of where the reception will be held, food and drinks to be served and entertainment as well. There are the invitations to order, the wedding attire for the bridal party, the wedding cake, the flowers, photographer, and the officiant, as well. Believe it or not, even though it seems like endless line items on a balance sheet that will add up to big bucks, it is possible to plan your wedding on a budget.
Below are some ideas to help you save even while planning the most important day of your life.
- Make an Outline of What You Want Your Wedding to Be
You probably have been mulling over in your mind what kind of wedding you would like to have on an almost constant basis. Many weddings have a look or a theme underlying the event. Ask yourself what that might be. Do you want simple and elegant or would a Bohemian or a low-heeled, come as you are event work better? The more formal and elaborate, the more you are likely to spend.
- Make a Budget and Stick to It As Much As Possible
When choosing an engagement ring, a good rule of thumb is that the cost of should be almost equivalent to one month’s salary. If you aren’t careful, other wedding costs can add up to that much and more. Many frugal brides to be have been able to plan a very nice wedding for themselves for as little as $50 per person. This amount included the cost of everything from the invitations to the food and entertainment at the reception.
Once you have a budget written down on paper, try to stay as close to it as possible. Of course, there is always the possibility that some unexpected expenses may arise. Try to incorporate a small emergency fund on the side for just in case.
- Consider an Off-Season Wedding
Spring and summer seem to be the time to get married. However, planning a wedding during what is considered the off-season – the months of September and October and not on the weekend – can help save you money on the overall cost of your nuptials. Fall is also a great time to enjoy the seasonal color and flavors and incorporate these into your big day.
- Trim the Guest List
The more people you invite to your wedding, the more it will cost in the end. Discuss with your intended who must come and add the people that must get an invitation. Invite relatives of both the bride and groom, and close friends first. Then decide who else can be added. Consider each person carefully before mailing out an invitation to them.
- Rent the Dress Instead
One of the largest expenses for weddings is in the wedding attire. Very rarely has anything positive ever been said about bridesmaid’s dresses. A good way to save money and not put a strain on your friendships is to rent the dresses for the bridesmaids. A style and color can be chosen to suit your needs and no one has to worry about having some ugly dress hanging in their closet that they will never wear again. You can do the same with the bridal gown. Rent a dress that you truly love for the big day and that’s it! You can also check out second hand or consignment shops or online venues such as eBay to find your wedding gown at a fraction of the cost you might have spent for something new.
- Other Cost Savings
- You can also save money by making your invitations, place cards, and decorations yourself. Party stores also have inexpensive options for wedding invitations and décor.
- Having a good old-fashioned potluck or barbecue might be the answer to hosting a reception at a lower cost than hiring a caterer. If you have a family of good cooks, see if you might be able to recruit them to help feed those in attendance. You can also comparison shop for alcohol, finger foods and other edibles at big box stores such as Costco and Sam’s Club. You might even be able to find some low cost yet wonderful food items at stores such as Trader Joe’s, for example. Such offerings can be hit and miss, but the flavor and quality can be fantastic.
- Most receptions have music. Why not consider hiring a DJ instead of a full band? Some frugal brides have been able to set up a decent sound system and assemble a wonderful playlist to put on an MP3 player. Make sure you have enough music, however. No one wants to have to play DJ at their own wedding reception!
For these and other ideas on how to save money on your wedding, check out the article at All Business.
It doesn’t have to be traumatic to plan a wedding on a budget. If you are creative and resourceful, there are many ways to cut down on wedding expenses.
If you are trying to plan a wedding on a budget, it can still be one of a kind and magical, too! Why not contact Geri Sims at Atlanta Wedding Décor today to discuss your wedding plans?
Geri has more than two decades of experience in creating memorable events including weddings of all sorts. Geri can weave the wedding of your dreams through the use of event drapery, dramatic uplighting and props that can turn your wedding into something truly spectacular – even on a budget. Call us today to schedule an appointment to discuss all of the options for your wedding or special event at 404-558-1300.
