Sometimes the words "budget" & "wedding" don't seem like they go together. With the average cost of a wedding soaring over $33,000 according to a Forbes study, it may feel like having a wedding on a lower budget is impossible. But guess what?! It's NOT! I promise you can have a beautiful day with any budget you choose, as long as you are willing to put in the work, get creative & most importantly have fun!
The first step to have a budget friendly wedding is to give yourself some time. If you start planning your wedding & want to get married in less than 6 months, you will be more likely to spend more than if you give yourself at least one year.
The second step is to have an open conversation with your partner about the things that are truly important to you (Check out my last blog post). If a lot of flowers isn't your style, don't let Aunt Sally & your mother-in-law talk you into it.
The third step is putting together a realistic guest list. The number of guests you have at your wedding is the top thing that influences the cost of your wedding. I know this step can be challenging, but I'm going to be brutally honest here - your 25 cousins & all their children do not need an invite, & chances are they won't even be offended (or if they are, they'll get over it!). Remember this is a day for you & your partner, not for everyone else.
Now that you've done some of the above work, it's time to think about your personal monthly budget, your spending habits, your current savings account, etc. Come up with a realistic idea of what you are comfortable spending on your big day (this could be several coaching sessions so going into detail here is too much for a blog post).
Then the fun can begin! Picking a venue is typically the first step in the actual planning process as this is often the largest expense (if the venue also includes the food & alcohol). Get creative here! Can you use someone's backyard, a local brewery, another local establishment that doesn't typically do weddings? Thinking outside the box when it comes to your venue can really help you stick to a reasonable budget. This is one of the many reasons why giving yourself time to plan can come in handy as you can take your time exploring unique options.
Here are some other things to think about when planning a wedding on a budget. But keep in mind, this is your day so don't cut corners on the really important things!
Consider emailing save-the-dates & invites - this would be FREE & more environmentally friendly!
Order your outfit online - most retailers have free returns so what would it hurt?
Ask creative friends & family to make your bouquets
Really think about your shoe choice - do you want to spend $100 on a pair of shoes that are uncomfortable & no one will see?
Look for a photographer who is just starting out & looking to grow their business
Try a beautifully decorated sheet cake or cupcakes instead of an expensive fondant cake - let's be honest, buttercream frosting tastes way better than fondant!
Remember, this is a day to celebrate the love between you & your partner, not a day to feel stressed about money. So have fun with it & enjoy, while also keeping your anxiety in check by sticking to a realistic budget. I know couples who regret spending so much on their wedding day, and no one wants to feel that regret. So make this a day to have fun, enjoy time with family & friends & come out the other side with no regrets!
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