How to Plan a Cheap Wedding
There’s no doubt about it, weddings can be expensive.
The average cost of a wedding today is $20,000 – $25,000, and weddings
are estimated to be a $25.3 billion industry. But don’t worry if your
budget cannot stretch for the most expensive custom-made gown, elegant
invitation cards, or the top photographer, it doesn’t mean that your
wedding will be any less unique or special than anyone else’s.
You just need a bit of guidance and a few tips to help
you achieve the dream of your big day. Here are a few suggestions with
tips on how to save on some of the more expensive aspects of a wedding.
Wedding Gowns
Do you really need a hand-made wedding dress with
beads and diamantes? This is where the big cost is and there are several
options in cutting the cost. Why not opt for a second-hand wedding
dress? It’s probably only been worn once anyway and you can get a once
expensive dress for half the price. Consider buying an evening
gown/cocktail dress from a department store or look into renting your
wedding dress for the day.
The Reception
This is where the cost of a wedding can get out of
hand. The wedding reception is normally the biggest expense, but one of
the easiest to cut down on costs. Statistics show that an average of 189
guests attend a wedding, this is a lot. Try and keep your guest list to
a minimum, do you really need to invite family members who you have
never seen for years? Instead of a three-course meal why not opt for a
hot and cold buffet (even cater for yourself)? Instead of holding the
reception in an expensive hotel suite or wedding reception, why not
consider having it at someone’s home or a club, or even book a
restaurant. Keep an open bar to a minimal and only serve beer, wine and
soft drinks.
Photography
The obvious choice is to shop around for the best
rates, but consider hiring a photographer for the ceremony only and ask
a family member or friend to take snap photos of the reception. Or you
could go one step further and ask them to take the photographs for the
whole day and not bother with the expense of a photographer at all.
Invitations / Stationery
If you’re on a budget and looking for cheaper wedding
stationery items, then you might like to consider print-at-home
stationery. There are many online stationer’s that will offer this
service free of charge. You pay for the paper and envelopes, then use
their software to print directly from your own PC. With sophisticated
customization tools you'll be able to enter your own text and preview it
before you print so as not to make any costly mistakes. Alternatively,
you can buy software and do-it-yourself from your PC.
Miscellaneous
Flowers can be another great expense, but also an
unnecessary one. Why not buy wholesale flowers, or pick flowers from
your garden (or a friends or relatives). Buy plain gold or white gold
wedding bands as these are the cheapest. Get a friend to make your
wedding cake for you and opt for a smaller tier cake and it doesn’t have
to be a fruit cake – try a sponge, chocolate or carrot cake! Make your
favors and center-peices yourself. Accessories for these can be found at
little outlet stores or online. Lastly, instead of a limousine why not
rent a car or borrow a luxury car from a friend or relative?
Summary
Weddings are expensive if you want them to be. But if
you want to keep money aside for a deposit on a house or a honeymoon to
remember, then there are many cost cutting ideas. All you need is a
little imagination, and some help from friends and family and you too
can have a luxury wedding with all the trimmings.
