Planning a wedding is hard. What’s even harder is balancing the cost with daily expenses.
Does this mean you have to cut back on food for a month to pay for your venue? No. There are many ways you can make your perfect wedding affordable, without having to get into debt or cut back.
Pick the Smallest Space You Can
The first step is to draw up a guest list and to look into getting the smallest event rental space you can. Larger venues can cost a packet, so aim to get a venue that holds as many people as you need it to. If possible, try to book your wedding for an off-peak period (fall and winter) to make sure you really get the lowest price possible.
Daytime Reception
Supply and demand in the wedding industry means that more people will pay higher rates for receptions that take place in the evening.
To cut this corner and save money, why not look into a daytime reception? You can slash the costs even more if the wedding is booked for a weekday and, as day receptions usually conclude by 5-6 pm, you can spend that evening and night with your new spouse, rather than feeling exhausted by the time you get home, or to your hotel.
No Open Bar
Speaking of receptions, if you are hiring a space rather than having it at your home, you can cut back on the costs by not having an open bar. This is not to say you can’t have alcohol; you can create a self-serve station that provides your guests with affordable beverages. You could even have one round of signature cocktails, backed up with wine, beer, and soft drinks, alongside a classy non-alcoholic punch.
Look at the Clothing
This is a hot-button topic for many brides, but do you actually need your dress to cost six months’ wages?
Online, there are thousands of stores that can provide tailored wedding dresses for under $400; you just have to know where to look. Platforms like eBay and Etsy also allow brides, grooms, and other guests to get a stylish look for less, with many dresses and tuxes on eBay being second-hand. The tailoring of a dress or a jacket is pennies compared to buying straight from a boutique, so keep an open mind with your clothing, and you may be surprised with what you find.
Cut Back the Catering
When it comes to wedding costs, catering is a big one. Even if you have a micro-wedding of less than 50 people, having to feed everyone, mixed with the cost of alcohol and the wedding cake, can soon cause your bill to go into the thousands.
Where you can, look into options that allow for bulk-buying of ingredients and food, such as buffets. These allow you to serve smaller portions, with a wider range of dishes for a lesser cost compared to sit-down meals. Aim for things like pasta, roast veg, and cold cuts. It is also worth looking into seasonal produce, as this is usually cheaper and has the added benefit of being fresher too.
