Having a smaller budget doesn’t have to mean having a low-budget wedding. You and your spouse-to-be can plan a big wedding without racking up debt that takes years to pay off. To enjoy the wedding you want without sacrificing, you’ve got to pick and choose the components that are important to you so time and money isn’t wasted on things that aren’t as meaningful. With a small-budget wedding, planning ahead is essential because it gives you time to comparison shop and find the best services, items and supplies at the best deal. Use these tips to plan your big wedding celebration and reception in a budget-savvy way.
Make Your Own Decor
If you’re a DIYer you can save a great deal of money by making your own table centerpieces, place cards, and other reception and ceremony decorations. Use these times to bond with friends and family members as they help you create your wedding ceremony and reception decor. Find inexpensive supplies in nature, at craft stores and thrift shops.
Avoid Peak Wedding Season
June and October are two of the most popular months of the year to get married. Because these months comprise the peak wedding season, prices are typically higher. You can save a lot of money on prime wedding locations simply by scheduling your wedding for a month that’s not as popular. January and April are two of the less popular months, and you may be able to find much cheaper prices for reception halls and wedding entertainment.
Hold the Ceremony and Reception in the Same Place
The cost of transportation from the ceremony location to the reception location can be quite expensive. If you’re able to hold the wedding and reception in the same facility, you can cut costs while making it convenient for everyone.
Pre-Wedding Grooming
You and your partner will both want to look your best on the big day. Instead of spending lots of money getting your makeup professionally done, you can buy yourself some new makeup and use online tutorials to do your own. Likewise, save hundreds by having hair done at a less expensive hair salon versus one that’s upscale.
Your Wedding Rings
Your wedding rings will be a most special symbol of your love for years to come. Follow your intuition on the style of your wedding ring, there is no convention; if the bride and groom have different preferences there is nothing to stop the groom opting for gold while the bride goes for platinum. If you do want to splash out on one aspect of the ring, such as a diamond set or special engraving, you can save in other ways – choose palladium instead of platinum, or 9ct gold instead of 18ct but ultimately choose what feels right.
Your wedding day is sure to be one of the most special days of your life. Decide early on what’s important to you and your partner so you can focus on making those aspects a reality, while eliminating anything unnecessary that would consume your budget. Getting crafty and creative with friends and family members will help you save tons of money, as well. Don’t let a tight budget lead you to believe that you can’t have the wedding of your dreams. You can; you just have to be budget savvy and creative.
Guest post contributed by Lucy James from Biggerdiamonds4less.co.uk.
Tags: big wedding small budget, planning a wedding on a budget, wedding budget
