Without a doubt, getting married is one of the most exciting life events. Unfortunately, the planning bit is stressful to most people, especially if on a budget. Weddings can be a little on the price side, and their cost can run to a substantial sum. But you can have a dream wedding without spending a lot. You only need to plan smart and avoid cutting corners, since quality matters.
In this guide, we will break down the steps you need to follow to plan a wedding on a budget.
Have a Budget for Expense Tracking
Write down the things that you can’t give up, those that you can skip, and the not-so-important. List your top priorities in the budget, then cut spending on secondary items. With your list ready, it will be easier to know the figures that you’re working with. Honesty is important here because at the end of the day, you’ll be the one to foot the bill.
There are simple ways of tracking your expenditure against the budget. Use an Excel spreadsheet to allocate costs for each event. You can also download a wedding budget app on your device and use it to track each expense. For prices, you can make a few calls to service providers or check online for the available offers. With the numbers on your fingertips, you’ll know how much to spend on each event.
Pick A Budget-friendly Venue
Wedding venues can quickly deflate your budget if you don’t choose wisely. They tend to be pricey on certain days of the week and during certain seasons. Before you pay a deposit for a venue, look around for cheaper choices. You can save big by getting married during an off-season period or day. Weekdays are cheaper compared to weekends. Also, public centers such as parks and social centers cost less.
If you have a friend or family member with an expansive backyard, you can request them for a space. Some venues may offer extras such as tables and chairs, which can save money. For a little budget, you don’t have to look for a luxury ballroom to host your dream wedding. A decent, well-lit space can work well.
Shop for a Unique and Affordable Gown
It’s the dream of every bride to wear a wedding dress that would make heads turn on their wedding day. Wedding dresses are expensive. However, you can save by shopping around for discount sales. If you are really tight budget-wise, go to a shop with simple yet unique options.
Some boutiques offer a stunning collection of wedding dresses in various designs and prices, making it easier to choose one that suits your budget. At times, these stores have huge discounts during certain months. After making your choice, you can buy accessories such as a veil and a belt to enhance its beauty. The salespersons in these boutiques are very experienced and can help you match everything perfectly.
Since wedding dresses are usually worn on the big day, some people sell or hire them online after the event. Look for these options because they are cheaper than buying a new one. Focus more on the quality of fabric and the design, and whether you’re comfortable wearing it.
Spend Optimally Catering
Food is one of the biggest expenses at a wedding. If not well planned, it can exhaust your spending. You can save money by skipping an open bar at the venue. Serve your guests with the drinks instead. Consider one special cocktail, beer, and wine, and serve them on their tables.
Food can be served during the day, as it is cheaper than dinner. A buffet is also a good choice, as there will be fewer staff serving guests. The wedding cake can be a small, modest one just for the display. Then, serve the guests with sheet cakes. If the venue is handling the food, you can ask them whether it’s all right to bring your cake and dessert. Some venues allow clients to choose their cakes.
Do Some Tasks Yourself
Some activities are easy to do yourself, which can save money. For example, you can create and print invitations at home. Also, you make centerpieces by buying flowers from your local grocery store, and have a ready-made playlist instead of hiring a DJ. However, if you’re not the type that can handle such, this may not be the best option for you.
Conclusion
Getting married is a beautiful thing in your lifetime. Doing a wedding also comes with an open-ended budget depending on what you want, where you get services, and how many people you’re hosting. Therefore, before you start spending money, sit down with your partner and discuss the most important thing in the wedding. Strategic budgeting and knowing where to put your money will ensure you have everything you need without leaving you broke.
