Did you know that the average wedding costs between $25,000 and $30,000? That is a budget many people cannot afford. When you don't have parents who can bear the expense of the wedding, what are you supposed to do? Thankfully, there are steps you can take to drastically reduce your wedding budget. This can help reduce your stress as well as ensure you don't go into debt for your wedding.
Figure Out Your Guest Size
Having a small wedding is typically a lot less expensive than having a large wedding. One of the first things you should do with your future spouse is sit down and figure out whom you want to invite to your wedding. Of course, you should include all of your family members and close friends, but you don't necessarily need to send out an invitation to your boss or your friends from high school whom you haven't seen for ten years. Cutting down your guest list is one of the easiest ways you can save a lot of money.
Buy a Secondhand Dress
Oftentimes, a lot of the budget is eaten up by the wedding dress. Sure, you want to look beautiful on your wedding day, but at what cost? You might consider buying a secondhand wedding dress. The great thing about secondhand wedding dresses is that they have only been worn once, so they will still be in excellent condition. Chances are, no one will even know. Consider buying a wedding dress secondhand in order to save a great deal of money on your wedding.
Consider the Timing
The timing of your wedding can have a lot to say about how much you spend. For example, you may have a hard time booking a venue in June, and you may have to pay a lot more money. Consider getting married in a different month, such as early fall or spring, and you may find your wedding venue does not cost as much. You should consider the time of day as well:
- Guests who attend weddings around lunch or dinner may be expecting a meal.
- Move your wedding to mid-afternoon so all you have to do is serve cake and punch.
- You should also make note on the invitation that cake and punch will be served. That way, no one will leave hungry because they were expecting a meal.
Watch Your Flower Budget
Your flower cost is another thing that can add up rather quickly. Your bridesmaids are likely carrying bouquets, and you are probably using flowers to decorate as well. You should consider using fake flowers. They can cost a great deal less, and they will also keep better. If you insist on using live flowers, then at least try to stick with the ones that are in season. They will likely be drastically cheaper than flowers that are not readily available.
Make Your Own Invitations
Save money by making your own wedding invitations. This is probably a lot easier than you think. There are many sample templates online that can help you decide how you want your invitations to look. At that point, all you need is a good printer with ink and card stock. The great thing about this is you can have your invitations however you want without paying a lot of money.
Remember What's Important
Finally, remember what's most important about your wedding. Your wedding day is only a day, but your relationship with your spouse is for a lifetime. In the end, it won't matter how great your flowers looked or whether or not the right food was served. It may seem like a big deal now, but these things will not make a difference in the future.
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