Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, but even more so when you don't want to splash too much cash. So how can you have a fairy-tale wedding at a reasonable price?
Weddings on Female First
Well, first things first you need to actually have a budget. Many people are oblivious to how much a wedding can cost so before you start to decide on your extravagant dress, venue and guest list, make a plan. And stick to it as best you can. You can then start to get ideas based on that budget which is much easier than knowing what you want and then killing yourself to afford it all.
Making small sacrifices can be the key to saving extra money. Think about the things you buy daily or weekly that you don’t necessarily need, can you cut them out? If you can, do, you’ll be surprised by just how much money you could save.
The venue is likely to cost around a third of your budget so it’s best to plan this part first. If you know anyone with any connections to any of your local function rooms ask them if they could get you any deals, the worst they can say is no! Or look into alternative venue ideas, depending on what time of year you’re having the big day. A marquee wedding can sometimes cost less than in a specific venue and they are a lot more customisable if you know exactly what you’re looking for so get a few quotes and see whether they can help you save some money.
Another easy way to cut the cost is to have your wedding on a Friday or a Sunday. Saturdays are usually the most popular so opting for a different day can save you money on not only the venue but sometimes on photographers and florists too. Some of your guests might not be able to attend but at as long as the most important friends and family members can make it, who cares? – One less mouth to feed is better than none.
Outlets are a great place to look for bridesmaid dresses, shoes, and suits. Or even try online.If you know exactly what you’re looking for make sure you search the net, people often sell off their fabulous quality dresses for much cheaper than you would pay in the shops!
Another top tip is: eBay is your friend. You might not fancy buying you’re outfits from there but you can save a fortune on all your little bits and bobs. Think table numbers, place cards, cake stands and accessories.
Next, the guest list. This can create one of the biggest problems when trying to save on wedding spending. But if you are careful this can be relatively stress free. The trick is, to stick to close friends and family for the ceremony and meal and then invite the rest to the evening event. Doing this means that nobody feels left out as they are invited at least to some part of your big day.
Handmade items are so popular right now and they can help you to save the pounds. Remember don’t be shy about asking for help, people are usually more than happy to assist when it comes to weddings. Think invitations and party favours, why not organise an evening with your bridesmaids and spend the night getting creative? Many hands make light work after all.
While we’re talking favours, take advantage of your friends and families occupations. If you know anybody that can bake why not ask them to make your cake for you? Cakes can increase the cost of a wedding significantly and having somebody you know make it for you can not only save you money but it can also add a personal touch to an otherwise insignificant part of the big day.
So to all those people who think that having a dream wedding is impossible to do on a budget, think again. It’s perfectly achievable and you’ll feel much better afterwards than you would do if you ended up in a sickening amount of debt!
Jessica Lindley - Female First