He gets down on one knee and proposes. She says yes and they share what is the happiest moment of their lives to date. However, after the euphoria of the moment fades, reality sets in – money is tight and they have no idea how they will get everything they need for their big day. Many couples face this predicament, and more so in the tough economic times currently existent worldwide. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You can have an amazing, gorgeous wedding on a tight budget and here’s how:
- Know your Budget
This may seem obvious, but the best way to actually have a wedding on a budget…is to have a budget. Know what you can spend, and how you will source your money.
- DIY Invitations
In addition to slashing wedding costs, this also makes a great bonding activity for you and your fiance. In some countries, there are even invitation kits on sale in various stores to aid in this.
- Avoid a Bloated Guest List
Remember, the more people you invite to your wedding, the more costs you will incur. Do not simply invite persons out of obligation as this can lead to a very bloated guest list. Additionally, inviting fewer persons can lead to a more intimate wedding ceremony.
- Choose a low cost, but elegant location
Outdoor weddings have become very popular over the past few years. Therefore, contact a friend who has a beautiful garden, and another friend who has a nice restaurant where you can hold the reception. Calling in favors from friends and a few people that you have done favors for over the years, may allow you to source the perfect location for little to no cost. The beach is a very popular location for weddings and is an example of a place where you can get married without having to pay a rental fee. An added benefit of outdoor weddings is that they tend to be more picturesque and present infinite photo opportunities.
- Ditch the Wedding Registry…and instead, garner contributions for your Dream Honeymoon
This is ideal for those couples that already live together and may not need new household items to furnish their home. Instead of the traditional wedding registry, you can “register your honeymoon”. Choose your ideal honeymoon location, and encourage your guests to make donations with the money they would have used to buy you a gift on the registry. This is win-win for everyone. Guests can avoid the hassle of wedding shopping and you can go on your dream honeymoon at a reduced price, or even free of cost.
- The Dress
Probably one of the most important thing to a bride is having the perfect wedding dress. These dresses can often be very expensive, so an alternative to buying one is renting. While you will not have it as a memento or keepsake in your closet, you will have hundreds of images of yourself in your dress on the big day. Also, you can keep an eye out for those bridal sales that occur at certain points during the year where you can purchase exquisite gowns at low prices.
- The Wedding Program
Believe it or not, wedding programmes are not a “must have” at weddings, and can actually end up costing a lot of money, especially if not all are used and some are left behind after the wedding ceremony. Therefore, if you feel having a wedding programme is an unnecessary expense, there is no harm is leaving it out all together, and save money on designing and printing.
- The Menu
Again, this is where good friends and family can chip in and help out. Get some of the chefs in the family to donate some special dishes and treats to be served at the reception. Also, if you consider yourself a chef, you can even do the cooking yourself. The other cost effective alternative is to serve finger food. These options are nontraditional, different and much friendlier on your pocket.
- Band or DJ? Neither!
You and your fiance can save a lot of money on music by sitting down and creating your wedding playlist, set it to shuffle and hook up the iPod or laptop to your own stereo system at the reception. You and your guests will still have loads of fun on the dance floor without a DJ or a band. If you still prefer someone to handle the music, you can pay a friend or relative to be the DJ. No need to incur added expenses by hiring a professional.
- Centerpieces and Flowers
Candles, candle holders, vases and a few fresh flowers can be easily purchased from local stores and can still adequately beautify your reception tables. Also, another cost cutting measure is to choose fake flowers for your centerpieces. It is unlikely that anyone would notice, and you would save money rather than spending on live flowers that will die within a day.
Therefore, just because finances are tight, it does not mean that you have to sacrifice a quality wedding for a cheap one; you can have both a quality and cost effective wedding. In fact, in some cases, you may actually get more quality for less price, depending on what cost cutting strategies on this list you choose to pursue.
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