Starting your life together with your partner and soul mate is one of the most exciting days of your life. However, you do not want to start this amazing journey with a mountain of debt.
It is possible to make your day special and memorable without sacrificing every penny that you have saved. Since me and my husband were frugal when planning our wedding, we were able to spend the extra money we saved as a down payment on our home. We were able to use our money to plan our life, instead of just one day of it. There are many ways that you can save on your wedding day without forfeiting the things that are the most important to both of you.
Make a Realistic Budget and Stick to It
The first thing you need to do is sit down with your partner and decide exactly how much you want to spend, not how much you can spend. You do not want to spend your whole life savings, only to regret it later on.
Once you decide on a budget, you need to stick to it as closely as possible. You also need to decide which aspects of your wedding day are the most important to both of you, and what things you can forego. You want your day to be meaningful and special, but there may be some frills that neither one of you really care about.
Plan a Small, Intimate Wedding
The best way for you to save money on your big day is by limiting your guest list. Invite only immediate family and close friends. You do not need to invite everyone that you have ever come in contact with. This is a time for you to celebrate this new adventure in your life with those who mean the most to you, not those who are there just for free food and a party.
Pick the Perfect Date
Typically week nights are much more reasonably priced, that is why you see a lot of Friday night weddings. If you are flexible on the date, then this is a great way to save a little extra cash. It will also save you a considerable amount if you plan your wedding at a time of the day where you do not have to serve a large dinner. Think about having a brunch reception or possibly only serve hors d’oeuvres and cake.
Use your Resources
Are there any family members or friends that could help out for a reasonable price? Maybe you know a photographer, someone in culinary school, a beautician or make-up artist, or a DJ. As long as they do quality work, it does not hurt to get a discounted price from a close family friend or acquaintance. You will be surprised how many people you know with useful skills, when you really stop to think about it. Perhaps there is someone who will give you a discounted rate if they can showcase the work they have done for you as an example for future clients.
Be Creative
With a little creativity and effort on your part, there are countless ways to save money. Instead of hiring a DJ, make a play list of your favorite songs and the typical wedding favorites.
Enlist a friend to make sure that the music keeps flowing. Try to pick a reception spot that is reasonably priced and will allow you to use your own decorations and caterer. You can save a lot of money if you are willing to make your own centerpieces and decorations. There are a lot of great ideas out there; Pinterest is a wealth of creative ideas.
