The perfect wedding on a budget
You want your dream wedding, but money is tight. Here are some creative ideas to help you pull off a beautiful wedding without exceeding your budget.
Time it right
Remember that off season weddings are cheaper, because vendors are usually willing to lower their prices out of peak season. It’s also cheaper to book a wedding venue on a Friday or Sunday rather than a Saturday. When booking a destination wedding venue, make sure that you book it outside of holiday time in that specific area.
Bigger isn’t always better
Downsize your wedding party. You could just have a maid of honor and one groomsman. Set guestlist boundaries and create an intimate setting for you and your loved ones.
Save the trees
Use online invites and look for free fonts on the internet. Use the simple Kontor serif or Lane sans serif from dafont.com, or the more stylized Monogram kk and Hoedown fonts from abstractsfonts.com
Choosing the right space
Public spaces are sometimes the most affordable place to have a wedding. Choose a venue which comes with added extras: an on-sight ceremony location, a wedding coordinator.
Less can be more
Eliminating expensive flowers from your center-pieces, and other possible floral displays, can stretch your budget. Keep the more expensive blooms for the bridal bouquet and possibly the bridesmaid bouquets. Bouquets with only three main blooms and lots of fillers can look exquisite. Choosing flowers which are in season, instead of importing flowers, will also lower costs substantially. For a more modern look, instead of having bouquets for your bridesmaids, you could have bouton-ettes. See what Enjoyflowers says about in-season flowers and creating DIY bouquets. You can also find economical flower bouquet packages and ideas on inexpensive non-floral embellishments you can place between your blooms.
DIY
There are many fun and inexpensive DIY wedding décor and wedding favor ideas on Pinterest.
Something borrowed
If you are on a tight budget, it helps if you can borrow accessories from friends and family. They will be happy to help out and save you money. Instead of having a gift registry get friends and family to offer you their services, a type trade-off.
Find a more affordable option for your wedding dress
Keep your eyes open for second hand wedding dresses, or alternatively, fix up your mother’s old wedding dress. Look for a dress at outlets and sample sales. You could even sign up for some designers’ sample sale listings online.
More budget-friendly food and beverage ideas
Let you guests fill up on fresh, in-season delicacies. Have a family-style dinner where your guests can serve themselves from platters instead of an a la carte menu. Think about having a light lunch or an afternoon tea. This should work out less expensive than a heavier evening meal. Serve your wedding cake for dessert. Limit alcoholic beverages. Serving a custom-made drink, like elderflower liqueur with prosecco and cucumber, instead of providing a full bar can save you money too.
Saving the day
Hire a photographer or videographer for the parts of the wedding which are most important to you, rather than hiring them for the entire wedding.
Music matters
A DJ is cheaper than a live band.
A cheap getaway
Use a personal car instead of a hired car.
It’s important to prioritize the aspects of the wedding which are most important to you. By cutting down on unnecessary costs, and sticking to your budget, you’ll have more to spend on the things that really matter to you. It’s possible to cut wedding costs and create a memorable experience for you and your guests.