Whether you like it or not, weddings can be expensive. This can be problematic when you want nothing more than for it to be the best day of your life. From suits to wedding dresses, catering to floral arrangements, turning your dreams into a reality can seem impossible when your finances don’t seem to match your vision. Luckily, there have been countless couples in this exact position, who have managed to have a successful wedding day. This is all thanks to some helpful tips, which enable you to celebrate in true style- without going bankrupt.
Don’t leave planning until the last minute
It should come as no surprise that weddings are far more expensive when the main aspects are planned at the last minute. With more stress and unmanageable costs being two key reasons to start early, you shouldn’t waste any time. There are some wedding details that must be organized first, like the wedding date, venue, and your invitations. However, some small elements can be left until later in the process, without landing you in money trouble. It is all about knowing when to plan each part, so you can make the most of your budget and plan a truly enchanting day. A planner can certainly help you to map out a plan of action that allows you to be conscious of both your budget and your sanity!
Create your own invitations
Weddings are often seen as an opportunity to let your creativity flow, where your personality can shine through in every small detail. You can put this imagination to the test when creating your wedding invites. This will not only save you the cost of having them designed by a professional, but you can inject some true personal style into them. You can start from scratch by crafting them by hand, or you can turn to free, customizable online templates offering some sleek, romantic designs.
Save money on your dress
Many brides grew up imagining they would someday wow guests with their wedding dress. The idea that you must spend thousands of dollars on your wedding dress to get that wow-factor is a misconception. Many brides choose to embrace vintage styles and second-hand finds to bring in their personality and bring down the cost. Another popular option these days is to repurpose a close family member’s dress, which will ensure you feel extra special when walking down the aisle. If you are set on wearing the latest design, consider buying the dress off the rack.
Do your own makeup
YouTube tutorials and online makeup guides have been saving brides with their fresh takes on wedding day makeup. They aim to reduce the need for splurging on makeup costs for the big day, teaching some simple but effective tricks. Most of these videos are also up to date with current trends. If you are concerned that your makeup skills are not up to scratch, you can bring in the help of someone who you trust. Luckily, with some practice, you can perfect your look in as little as a few hours, and you may even feel that your final look is more “you”.
Keep it small
The bigger your wedding is, the more it is going to cost. For each additional guest you invite, you are paying for an additional meal; for every ten additional guests that is an additional rented table, linen, and floral arrangement. Not to mention it can be quite difficult to find an affordable venue to accomodate a big wedding party. Instead, invite your closest friends and family to your ceremony and consider holding a wedding brunch reception instead of dinner, which will give you a personable and intimate wedding day.
Always have a back-up fund
No matter which part of the wedding you are planning, there is always space for things to go wrong. Sometimes, it can take a lot of money to fix these problems, which can seriously eat into your overall wedding budget. This is why it is always a good idea to save a little of your budget as a back-up fund, which you can use in any case of emergency. This can help you cover any last-minute dress alterations or additional wedding guests, among other issues. Saving for your back-up fund is easy when you commit to saving a small amount each day.
Consider package deals
Many money-saving wedding tips are true lifesavers, but they often require more planning, which you may not have time for. Busy work schedules and family commitments always get in the way, meaning couples usually end up biting the bullet and paying extra. This kind of problem can be solved by searching for package deals, which roll your ceremony, reception, catering and even your honeymoon into one. Though available for weddings on home turf, they are a particularly popular option for those wishing to save on overseas beach destination weddings.
Ask your family for help
Families are the biggest helping hand when you plan for your wedding. Whether they are offering their time or much-needed emotional support, they will do whatever it takes to ensure you have the best day. If you have any family members who can commit to organizing a part of your wedding, this will save you even more money. For example, if your aunt is great at baking cakes, ask her to bake your wedding cake as your wedding day gift. Hairdressers, makeup artists, and graphic designers could also be a huge help. But, be sure to leave the wedding coordination to the professionals, so that your family can relax and enjoy along with you once wedding day arrives!
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