One of the most stressful things about beginning to plan for your special day is discussing the dreaded cost. Finding a balance between planning your dream wedding but staying within your budget is challenging and frustrating. This post will give you some tips and advice to help make this process easier.
The cost of a wedding depends on a number of things including the state you live in, the type of venue, and your guest count. The wedding industry just keeps getting more expensive, it’s unreal. You don’t have to compromise the idea of your entire dream wedding. There are some things you can do to be within your wedding budget.
1. Set a Budget
In order to stick to a budget you need to set a budget. Sit down with your fiancé and look at how much you already have saved. Once you’ve set a wedding date, decide how much you could realistically put away each month in order to save by your set wedding day. Keep in mind the majority of your final payments are due the month before your wedding. Write down all possible wedding expenses and rate them on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being less important and 5 being most important. When it comes time that you might need to eliminate something such as those gold chairs you love, or a photo booth that you really want, you can start eliminating the things you ranked lower.
2. Find Out Who Can Help
Weddings have steered away from the traditional parental roles but it’s worth discussing with your parents if they are able to contribute anything. Finding out if parents or grandparents can help and with what costs will take away some stress for you and will help you achieve your wedding dream. Have these conversations up front. Don’t forget to thank them, they’re helping your wedding vision come true.
3. Take Advantage of Sales
Most brides are planning a wedding a year in advance, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take advantage of sales along the way.
Know you want a sparkler send off? Stock up during 4th of July sales. Know that you need white attire for your bachelorette, shower, and rehearsal dinner? Order some things during big sales.
If you’re able to wait, order save the dates, invites, reception decorations, favors etc. around the time of a holiday or when you see a big sale. Getting these things out of the way early on, especially at a discounted rate, will make your last month of wedding expenses slightly less overwhelming.
4. Compare Vendors
Some venues require that you use one of their preferred vendors and some vendors have minimums that you have to meet. Keeping this in mind, still shop around and get quotes to compare. Having more options will give you more price options. Do your research in this area.
5. Ask About Discounts
Get married during the week or in the off wedding season to potentially save on the cost of the venue. So what if it’s a Thursday? It’s YOUR day. The people that want to be there will be there. Ask venues and vendors if they offer any discounts such as military, first responder, or teacher discounts. Thankfully, many of my wedding vendors did!
6. Rethink Your Guest Count
This is one of the hardest parts but one of the biggest ways to save money. If you can cut some people from your guest list, this is one cost that is in your control. Maybe you haven’t seen this person in a few years. Maybe you used to be close friends but you aren’t so close anymore. Sometimes it’s just easier to be up front with them and let them know that you wish you could include them but financially you can’t. They’ll understand. Also, consider not giving a plus one date to your single guests or having an adult only wedding to cut back.
7. Consider Artificial Flowers
Wedding flowers are one of the biggest vendor expenses. Getting artificial flowers is an option and a significant savings. There are some companies out there that would fool me into being real flowers. Check out these options: Something Borrowed Blooms, Ling’s Moment, or Sola Wood Flowers. Plus, these flowers you can keep forever 🙂
Also on the subject of flowers. You can have your florist repurpose ceremony flowers into your reception. Use your arch flowers for your tables in your reception or use bridesmaid bouquets in vases in your reception. Ask about more affordable florals or adding more cost efficient greenery. This was a great way that our florist saved us hundreds of dollars.
Don’t let your wedding budget stress you. These 7 tips will surely save you some money.
Check out my vendor budgeting tracker to help keep you on track. Visit my SHOP page for a discount code.
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