How to Plan a Wedding That Doesn’t Break the Bank
There’s something about telling a vendor that you want something for a wedding that magically seems to add zeros to the bill. That makes staying within a reasonable budget challenging.
The good news is that there are some things you can do to plan a wedding that stays within your budget instead of breaking the bank.
Spend on What You Care About
Inevitably, there are some aspects of your wedding that you’ll care about a lot, both now and in the future, and others that you don’t care about as much. Take time to identify the things you care about the most. That’s where you should focus your spending. The less important areas are places where you can make compromises and choose more budget-friendly options.
Which areas matter most change from person to person, so talk about it as a couple so you can prioritize what is most important to you both. If you’re concerned about what your guests will think, the good news is that there are a lot of things guests don’t really care about. You can save money there too.
Bundle Services
You’ve heard of bundling utilities and insurance, but have you considered bundling wedding services before? Paying for every wedding service separately often drives up your budget.
If you work with a vendor that offers wedding packages, you could save some money or even simply get more for what you’re spending. Consider bundles for things like invitations, grooming services, decor and entertainment, catering, and venues.
DIY Some Things
Doing things yourself could save you a lot of money. The trade-off is you’ll have to take the time to tackle the tasks on your own (or with the help of others if you’re involving other people or delegating tasks). Consider making your own wedding invitations, creating a Spotify playlist for your wedding in lieu of a DJ, and creating some of your own wedding decorations. Depending on how many people are attending, consider making food for the event in advance and freeing it until it’s time to heat it to serve (naturally, the bride and groom won’t be the ones cooking or reheating the food–that should be assigned to someone who isn’t busy getting married).
Weddings can be incredibly expensive, but they don’t have to be. If you’re working with a limited budget, giving yourself plenty of time and devoting yourself to careful planning can go a long way toward making a gorgeous wedding more affordable. Even if you don’t get everything you ever wanted for your wedding, remember that the most important thing is that you’re getting married to the person you love the most. Everything else is just the icing on the cake.
Did you enjoy reading this article? Here’s more to read. Alternative Methods to Traditional Therapy With Positive Results