Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding

How to Keep your Wedding under Budget

It’s not a secret that weddings can be expensive. In fact, the average US wedding costs around $35,000. And while many are now opting to have elopement and courtyard weddings, many of us still have that fairy tale dream of walking down the aisle towards our happily ever after.

So, the question now is: How can I have my dream wedding while staying under budget? We’ve thought of five simple budget saver tips to help you save money while still achieving your dream wedding.

1. Discuss what type of wedding you want.

Are you planning for a traditional church wedding or a boho-themed wedding? Different types of weddings also have different costs attached to them. Of course, destination weddings will cost way more than a farmhouse-themed wedding. 

Know what type of wedding you and your partner both want and set a budget. Discuss the non-negotiables and learn to compromise in order to stay under budget.

2. Keep the guest list minimal.

Set the number of guests that you can afford to attend your wedding. List down your closest family and friends first before including other relatives, officemates, and other friends. Don’t be afraid of offending some people by not inviting them, as your expenses on the venue and catering will balloon if you exceed your planned guest list.

Send out an RSVP in advance to have a clearer idea of how many people can attend. Proceed to invite your other friends as your initial invitees confirm whether or not they can attend.

3. Involve your close family and friends in the wedding preparations.

Reduce your stress by asking for help from friends and family. Set a timeline and delegate tasks to them. Brainstorm cheap wedding ideas with them and you might be surprised at the ideas they come up with.

Use your connections to lessen your expenses. They might know people or professionals that you can hire on your wedding day. They might have skills and talents that they can use to help you on your wedding day.

Do you have a friend who sings? Hire them to sing for your wedding. Is one of your best friends good at hosting? Ask them to be your host! 

4. Opt for Do-it-Yourself when possible.

As much as you can, plan ahead so that you would have time to do some of the wedding essentials yourself. Being creative and resourceful will definitely save you a lot of money on your wedding day.

You and your partner can craft the giveaways, table centerpieces, and other wedding decors yourself. If you’re a great cook, you can do your own catering. Or if you’re good at makeup, you can save money on hiring a makeup artist and do your own makeup yourself.

5. Hold the ceremony at home or outdoors.

The venue is one of the most costly wedding expenses. It’s good to look at all your options before you book a venue. If you have a lot of backyard space, you can even hold the ceremony at home. 

Look for unlikely wedding venues. Some great wedding venues might not seem like usual wedding venues at first – but with the power of creativity and resourcefulness, you can transform any grassy meadow in your neighborhood, community center, or even your local park.

Staying Under Budget for your Wedding Isn’t That Hard

Unless you are dreaming of a truly lavish and luxury-filled wedding, staying under budget for your wedding isn’t that hard. It’s true that you have to sacrifice a few things and do some of the work yourself, but you’ll still be able to keep the essence of your dream wedding.

Think long-term and how you can use the money you saved to buy a house, or a new car, or to save up for the family you dream of building. Whether a wedding is expensive or not, it won’t really matter as long as you marry the one you truly love.