Romance in the air, distant ringing bells, and a heavy celebratory mood. These are the things you imagine as the love of your life proposes.
There’s one problem, though. You’ve never planned a wedding, and the possible cost of such a celebration begins to dawn on you.
Don’t let your worries ruin your excitement because we have tips for planning a wedding on a budget!
Be Realistic
Many of us dream about a big wedding, but you should be realistic about how much money you want to spend.
Start by making a prioritized list of expected expenses. These expenses include venue, catering, attire, decorations, entertainment, invitations, wedding rings, photography, hair/makeup, and honeymoon,
Get creative, restructure your budget, and prioritize the expenses most significant to you and your partner. Begin setting money aside to cover your “must-haves.”
You can use our free budgeting worksheet to keep your list organized!
Borrow Something or Thrift It
You know the old saying, “Something blue, something new, and something borrowed.”
Having a little more of that something borrowed—or maybe something thrifted or on sale—can save you a lot.
Ask friends and family if they have any pieces from their wedding outfit, like shoes or jewelry, that they’re okay with you borrowing. Consider the tradition of wearing your parents’ wedding outfits and ask them or an older family member if you can re-wear their wedding dress or suit.
Don’t forget to check out your local thrift and consignment stores, where you can find gently worn shoes, dresses, suits, and jewelry.
You can also reuse or repurpose decorations used by friends or family who have recently married.
If you’re not into borrowing or thrifting, pay attention to sales. Stores will sell certain styles at discounts as trend seasons change.
Keep It Simple
Less is more, and a simple, intimate wedding can be just as elegant as a bigger one.
Keep your guest list small and only invite close friends and family. Fewer guests mean less catering and seating expenses.
Save more money on catering by skipping a full-course, plated dinner for a buffet-style one. Limit the open bar to certain beers, wine, and cocktails, or don’t have an open bar at all.
Consider hosting your reception in a non-traditional venue like in your or a family member’s backyard or a local park.
Do It Yourself
Doing things yourself may be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be!
Free-to-use online graphic design tools like Canva have hundreds of templates that allow you to easily design invitations and save-the-date cards.
Search up do-it-yourself wedding ideas on sites like Pinterest and gather decoration ideas for centerpieces, bouquets, and more.
You can also save money by creating your own playlist and borrowing a good set of speakers instead of hiring a band or DJ.
Skip the Ceremony, Take the Honeymoon
Who says your wedding needs an extravagant ceremony to be memorable? Planning them can be stressful, and going through all that stress might not even pay off the day of.
Consider skipping a big ceremony and reception and investing your money in something you’ll really enjoy—the honeymoon!
A small marriage ceremony at your local courthouse is uncomplicated and definitely cheaper. If you still want to celebrate with loved ones afterward, host an intimate dinner at your favorite restaurant or home.
Weddings don’t have to be ridiculously expensive or huge to be memorable. All you need is a little ingenuity and amazing friends and family!
What are some of your favorite ways to save money while wedding planning? Let us know in the comments below!
Once a Pelican State CU member, always a member—through life’s milestones, we’ll always be there to help you with your financial needs. Your Financial Family for Life. Give us a call at 800-351-4877.
