Planning Your Perfect Wedding on a Budget

 

The time has come to plan what many people call the most important day of your life – your wedding day! Congratulations on this most-exciting milestone. So, it’s time to start the wedding planning, but there’s just one small problem – have you seen how much this all costs?

 

While weddings can cost an immense amount of money, there are ways to cushion some of those high price tags and get the most for each of your precious dollars. No one wants to cut corners for such an important event, but being a bit thrifty never hurt anyone either.

 

Here are a few dollar-stretching tips to help you plan your perfect wedding on a budget. 

 

Prioritize & Budget 

Firstly, let’s talk about where this money is coming from! The funds you have to spend will most likely come from you and your fiancé’s savings, the money you both are currently (or will soon be) setting aside from your existing income, or contributions from your loved ones. No matter what the magic number that you and your partner settle on here for your overall wedding budget, the most important thing to do is determine your priorities and set your expectations from the very beginning.

 

While creating your budget, spreadsheets and comparison lists will be your best friends. Start your budget sheet by listing all of the things you can’t imagine your wedding day without, such as a specific venue or a live band. Write down a realistic estimate of what those items will cost or add in the quote you’ve received from the vendor directly. This sheet will help you piece together what your wedding day will cost, and from here, you can begin to modify and edit as needed to fit that magic number. 

 

Review Your Guest List 

Your wedding guest list is a determining factor for how much money your wedding will cost in total. To make sure you stick to your budget, be firm with the limit on invitations and narrow down your guest list to your closest family and friends. While it’s easier said than done, your bank account will thank you for it. Plus, smaller weddings can allow for a more intimate celebration!  

 

Get Creative with the Location

When choosing a venue, it’s important to remember that certain dates and days will cost more than others. Take into consideration the day of the week you want to get married and if it is a popular time of the year for weddings. To lower costs here, choose an off-peak time of year to get hitched and ask about the difference in price for a Friday or Sunday, for example, rather than a Saturday. 

 

If you’re still searching for the perfect venue, why not explore options like local parks, churches, and community centers? If you live in a big city, consider traveling outside of the city to more remote locations. Who knows, you might stumble upon a beautiful new destination that costs substantially less.

 

Another tip for saving money on the venue is to have your ceremony and reception at one location. Ask around for venue packages that offer discounts for combining. This tip will also help you avoid any expenses for guest transportation from the ceremony to the reception.

 

Pass on the Wedding Planner

If you’re on a tight budget, you probably don’t want to pay someone to help you plan. Besides, you are perfectly capable of keeping things on track (with help from websites like Nuvow to keep you organized!) Rather than employing a wedding planner, we recommend hiring a “day-of” coordinator for the actual day of your wedding. This may even be included in your venue package, so be sure to ask! Your day-of coordinator will be brought up to speed on everything before the wedding, as well as be on-site to meet with vendors when they arrive, solve any last minute issues, and make sure the day goes off without a hitch. 

 

Tap Into Your Contacts 

It’s all about who you know! When you’re planning an event as important (and expensive) as a wedding, it’s a great time to tap into your list of contacts and ask for favors. For example, do you have a friend who is a DJ and could perform at the reception? Or do you and your fiancé have a chef friend in town who could cater the event? Chances are, they will be more than happy to be a part of your big day and gain exposure for their business at the same time.

 

This tip also rings true when deciding who will perform your marriage ceremony and marry you to your partner. A civil officiant can run you upwards of $500, while a clergy person might be close to the same or a bit less. If you have a friend or family member who is willing to get ordained, this is another way to save some money and add a personal touch to your ceremony!

 

BYOB (Bring Your Own Bar)

Many couples spend a good chunk of their wedding budget on the bar. There are a few ways to buffer these costs (that don’t include eliminating alcohol altogether). One way is to consider serving only beer and wine. Another is to purchase all of the beverages ahead of time and stock the bar yourself. If you are working with a venue that offers packages on beer and wine or a full bar, we recommend comparing their quote with what you would spend stocking the bar yourself and choosing the best option.

 

Innovative Invitations 

Let’s start here by saying to skip the save the dates altogether if your budget does not allow for it. Alternative ways to share the date of your wedding could be through a sweet social media post, a page on your wedding website or a digital save the date via email that you share with the guest list.  

 

For the invitations, there are a few ways to save money on both design and printing. Tap into your contacts and ask a graphic designer friend, or hire an artist on Etsy to design and deliver a digital file of your invitation. You can also use apps like Minted and Canva to help you achieve a beautiful design for less. With any of these options, be sure to compare printing prices. By sourcing a good deal on printing or printing at home, you can save hundreds of dollars.

 

Hunt for Bargains

It’s possible to find a deal on everything from the dress to the cake with the right amount of research. Compare prices, and don’t be afraid to ask for a price match if you prefer one vendor over another. Also, look for items that come in bulk, such as napkins, decorations, candles, or table linens, as well as things that can be bought wholesale, like flowers and wine!

 

No Upgrades, No Problem

One of the easiest ways to stay on track with your budget is to “just say no” to upgrades. In most cases, your guests won’t notice, and the additions won’t make a difference to your wedding celebration overall. Stick with the details you initially agreed on with your venue and vendors, and remember the priorities you set in your original budget.

 

At the end of the (wedding) day, it’s all about you and your partner. Wherever you decide to spend your dollars, make sure to stop and smell the roses along the way.