Getting married is one of the most significant events in a person’s lifetime. And if your wedding is coming up soon, then there are a few things you need to consider before your big day, especially if you’re on a budget. As no one likes starting out their marriage in debt, there are a few key considerations you should keep in mind if you’re looking to save. Check them out below:
Start Shopping Early
As it goes with any big event, the earlier you start planning, the better position you’ll be in to find what you’re looking for while saving money. It’s no secret that the entire wedding process can be an expensive ordeal, and you should be prepared to fight for the right price. Because while it’s great to put so much into your big day, it’s also something that you don’t want to be in a mountain of debt over, which is why finding the balance with your budget sooner rather than later is key.
To begin, make a list of all the items you’re going to need, getting down to every last one. While this might sound like overkill, every little bit helps, and you also would be surprised at what you could save on. For example, according to CreditDonkey, wedding dress costs average around $1,564, it’s one of the more expensive pieces of the budget. But by going with a company like Azazie, which offers bridal and bridesmaid dresses for a fraction of the cost of boutique stores, this could help you save big. Don’t be surprised by what you can find the right amount of effort, as you’ll be thanking yourself on the honeymoon.
Location. Location. Location.
A significant contributor to the cost of your wedding is location, which is highly correlated with the cost of living in that place. For example, as noted by PR Newswire, everyone knows New York City is expensive, but with an average cost of $78,648 to get married in Manhattan, the Big Apple comes with a big price tag. And if you’re looking to cut that final total for your wedding in half, then seeking a prime location for a low price will be clutch.
As no one wants to sacrifice the setting for their big day that much, sit down with your significant other and start chatting through the different locations you’d like to get married. No matter if it’s a vineyard, beach, or even an event space, put everything you can on the table. Once you both have figured out the best location that suits your needs, it’s time start scouring through listings; and as long as you keep the cost of each area in mind, you’ll most likely find something within budget in no time.
Focus On Knocking Out The Big-Ticket Items First
Once you’ve honed in on where you’re trying to get married, it’s time to sort out the big-ticket purchases that come with it. Of course, one of the most significant portions to tackle is your venue, which as noted by Value Penguin, cost between $12,343 to $14,006. If this is something you’ve already addressed in your location, then you’re already set; however, if you’re still looking to land a place for your ceremony, reception, or both, this will require a significant amount of research.
In looking through the city or town you want to get married in, try and find places that give you the best bang for your buck. For example, let’s say that you both want a farm or vineyard wedding, then going after a spot that has a good bulk rate on a location that can accommodate both the size of your party and ceremony/reception would work best. Going after the perfect venue can be tricky, but it’ll be worth it when you find the perfect spot.
Skip Out On The Planner
Finally, as you’ve mostly covered a lot of the planning elements yourself with the location, venue, and extras, there’s no shame in skipping out on a wedding planner. As noted by NerdWallet, the average planner costs around $1,988, making this is a pretty expensive add-on that’s primarily there for convenience. Plus, as long as you’ve hit every big piece so far, the rest is a cakewalk.
In the end, your wedding is about you and your significant other, so take pride in planning it with one another. Remember, this is supposed to be a day that’s etched in your memory for years to come, so make it worth all the prep you put in because although it might be a little stressful without a planner, it’s also something you both will cherish. And after all, that’s what happily ever after is supposed to mean, right?
