Weddings are about God, romantic moments, family and friends, beautiful dresses, and chic venues. But don’t let all the glamour fool you. The cost of a wedding is enough to make you want to skip the ceremony and head straight to the courthouse. The average wedding costs almost $34,000, and most people do not have that kind of budget for a single event.
It can be easy to focus on the cost, but there are ways to make your big day feel luxurious without breaking the bank. You might think you can’t have the type of wedding you want because it won’t fit your budget. But I’m letting you in on my top tips to help you have a dream wedding without spending a fortune.
OPT FOR AN INTIMATE CEREMONY.
The best way to save money on your wedding is to have a small ceremony. It’s true! By having fewer people in attendance, you can use that money for other things like decorating or catering. The great thing about having fewer guests is that your wedding will be more intimate. You’ll be able to spend more time with each guest and get better photos because there won’t be so many guests blocking the view or photobombing the first dance. Of course, “small” is relative to each couple. Discuss a guest list with your spouse-to-be and set a number. According to Martha Stewart, small weddings typically include 50 people or less.
BOOK A VENUE DURING THE OFF-SEASON.
You’re probably thinking, “What’s the big deal? It’s just a venue!” But remember that this isn’t just any venue. This is your wedding venue. It will be the backdrop to all of your memories, and most importantly, it’s where you’ll exchange vows with your partner before our Lord and in front of friends and family.
We think it’s important to book a venue on an off-season date.
According to The Knot, “Peak wedding season (aka the most popular time to get married) varies slightly from year to year, but typically, summer and early fall are the most popular times to get married.”
The demand for vendors and venues is exceptionally high during the peak wedding season. On the other hand, prices in the off-season are usually lower as fewer couples are getting married and there’s more availability and discounts.
SWAC TIP: When it comes to negotiating prices, you may want to look at similar items in the market and know what is reasonable before negotiating with vendors.
DIY-ing ALL THE CARDS AND FAVORS
DIY-ing your wedding cards and favors can be a fun, creative way to save money, but there’s a caveat: it’ll take time and effort. If you’re an expert at DIY projects, this is likely nothing new for you—but if not, it’s best to start with something smaller before committing to the whole ceremony.
There are plenty of online tutorials to guide you through different DIY projects. Here are some great ones:
The Unveiled Bride on YouTube has an easy-to-follow tutorial on making wedding favors that your guests actually want!
Martha Stewart offers helpful tips on what supplies are needed when making DIY wedding things, such as a flower crown for the mother-of-the-bride corsage.
As well, Pinterest will never fail you.
RENTING VS. BUYING
Renting some things instead of buying them is a great way to save money while still having your dream wedding. Renting will help you avoid the costs associated with storage, maintenance, and repairs. Suppose you plan on having children after the wedding. In that case, it’s worth considering what you’ll do with all those fancy items that are only used once (and probably end up being donated or thrown away). A wedding lasts only one day. Some brides have even rented their wedding dresses to cut costs!
Takeaway:
It’s okay to want a lavish wedding, but it’s also important to remember that memories last much longer. Don’t feel like you need to spend tons of money on entertainment and drinks. Instead, see how much money you really have to spend and plan your wedding accordingly. The result will likely be a better experience for you and your guests.
Sealed with a Covenant
Kree Evans, Principal Wedding Planner
“Let God write your love story, leave the planning to me.”