Planning a wedding but don’t want to break the bank? Here are some top tips on how to plan a budget-friendly wedding.
Avoid Peak Wedding Season
One of the first decisions you make is also one of the biggest determiners of how costly your wedding will be. Choosing an off-peak season will be less competitive and more affordable. Avoid the summer months and aim for winter, spring, or the fall instead to save on your venue hire costs.
Consider Renting and Hiring (not Buying)
Renting and hiring can save you thousands, the only downside is that you will have to return the items within a set time. If you are happy to say goodbye and save the closet space, borrow a wedding dress and suit for the day—this could mean being able to spend your big day in a luxury gown.
When looking to hire a wedding car, look for reasonable deposit costs and flexible services. The experts at englishweddingcars.com serve as an example for providing an affordable, high-quality service. When searching for a wedding car to hire, consider whether their fees are budget-friendly to save on unnecessary spending.
Seek Newly Established Photographers
Everyone wants the perfect photos to help them remember their special day, and often people will splurge in hope that the expenses will be worth the memories they can reflect on. Whilst experienced photographers may have a wider skill set, many up-and-coming photographers can offer work of the same caliber for a fraction of the price whilst they work to build up their portfolio and client base.
Limit the Flower Decorations
As beautiful as they are, the cost of flowers can soon add up with wedding planning. Get creative and search for cheaper alternatives to decorate with. Greenery is a good alterative if you are wanting to keep the natural element, but balloons, candlesticks, fairy lights, or fruits and veggies can also make a great substitution for a venue to impress.
Opt for Online Invitations
You might not think the printing will add up, but guest invitations can amount to quite a sum. Thanks to the internet, online invitations are growing in popularity and offer a solution to buying countless cards and then covering postage. Another alternative is building a wedding website and sending the link to your guests. This way, they can remain updated on the venue, date, and time, and see all the wedding photos in one place.
Shop Dress Deals in Advance
If you are adamant that you want to buy a wedding dress so that you can keep it as a wedding memory, start shopping early and keep track of bridal sales. You are more likely to catch a good deal early on than at last minute, and emergency dress searching will get expensive.
Embrace Minimalism
Some people have sophisticated themes in mind, but if you can keep that off the table, you are looking at saving money. Simplistic designs are much more affordable when it comes to venues, decorations, and even wedding cakes, but can still be impactful in an elegant way.
Cut Down on Name Cards and Menus
Another tip for avoid printing costs which is simple but effective—instead of having individual name cards and menus on tables, design one seating plan for everyone to see as they enter the venue; and shrink down the menu quantity to one per table or create an online menu that is sent out beforehand.
Budgeting with a Buffet
Wedding catering can add up, so it could be wise to provide a buffet to allow the meals to be personalized and keep your wedding guests fed. This will prevent waste and will also be cost-effective.
Playlist over Performers
To tone down your wedding and save on spending, you and your partner could decide on a special playlist together and enjoy it through speakers, therefore diminishing the need for live music.
