Oh, weddings. What an unforgettable, indescribably joyful time in your life. So much fun, so much romance, so much… money! That’s right, the very thing we look forward to as the best day of our lives doesn’t necessarily come with the cheapest price tag. That is, of course, if your spending goes unchecked (more responsible spouses, we’re looking at you). Of course you’ll have to dish out some money, but by keeping an eye on your budget while frolicking around in the (seemingly endless) field of wedding planning, you’ll be sure to reduce much of the financial blow—and probably a lot of stress in the process!
FIRSTLY, ESTABLISH A BUDGET
It all comes down to setting up a budget, then making sure you follow that budget as if you had a pressing obligation! Now, to start, pool you and your soon-to-be betrothed’s savings together. You’ll also want to see if any family members or loved ones will be contributing in any way. If yes, try to get numbers committed so you know how to go about planning properly. Once that’s figured out, look at your engagement length. Are you getting married in 16 months? Perfect, you have tons of time to start saving! Are you getting married in less than 12 months? You might want to consider some ways you can expedite your savings. Thankfully, an online bank like Chime can help you propel your savings in no time—so you can focus less on your money, and more on the fun stuff.
Next, take a good look at the guest list
If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably announced your engagement on all of your social media channels, and—by now—you’ve probably received a lot of congratulations from your friends far and wide. Surely, they’ve earned a spot on your guest list, right? Not so fast. As much as we’d all love to invite everyone to partake in this joyous occasion, the guest list can eat away at your budget quickly. That’s because the size of your guest list influences almost everything: how large a venue you should book, how much catering and beverages you’ll require, what type of entertainment you’ll want to book for such an extravaganza, etc. At the lofty price of $282 a head (taking all of these considerations into account), you might want to reconsider how many people you decide to invite and save your guest list for your closest friends and family.
Choose an off-season date
Summer’s not it’s all cracked up to be, right? Is warmer weather really worth paying hundreds, if not thousands, more for a venue? It’s not just venues; accommodations, entertainers, and just about any wedding vendor you can think of is able to command a higher price during the times of the year where they’re more in demand. So, if saving money is a priority, avoid setting your wedding date during the most competitive times of the year (typically late spring to late summer). There’s a good chance you’ll have to make a lot of sacrifices anyway, as many of your ideal vendors and venues will likely be booked. Who likes sweating in a gorgeous wedding dress, anyway?
Rent Your Flowers
A wedding isn’t complete without a beautiful showcase of floral designs and arrangements, but did you know you can save up to 70 percent by simply renting them? You know, those things that make your big day look like you’re getting married to Prince Charming, himself— that are also, unfortunately, usually thrown out? Sounds like quite the bargain! Especially when couples spend an average of $2,379 on wedding flowers alone. There are also some great providers, like Wedding Flowers for Rent, for example. No matter what you decide to do, considering these tips should help you free up your budget so you can enjoy your day to the fullest with no regrets later on!
