Suppose your boyfriend just proposed unexpectedly, but it’s the most beautiful surprise of your life, and you can’t wait to get married to your other half. In this case, you should get ready for the rigorous preparations of your wedding, and you should get up to the stressful and infinite to-do list. Of course, it can be very exciting, but organizing a wedding comes with a price. Which can be very high most of the time. Realistically, you might not afford to stick with the ideas you have pinned on your Pinterest account, but you can do something similar and on a budget. In order to save money for your wedding requires some inspiration, determination, and patience, but of course, you will also need some extra help because an extra pair of hands can share the load. So, if you are excited to create your dream wedding, here are 7 tips to make the most of the big day without breaking the bank:
1. Establish your budget
Before starting all the projects and organizations, it’s crucial to establish a budget you are comfortable spending for the entire wedding ceremony. This step is crucial, because otherwise, you risk spending much more than you thought, and you might have to give up on some aspects of the wedding you really loved. So, take a step behind and think realistically about your expectations for your big day and what you can really afford. So, you can take a look at the pictures and ideas you’ve saved on your Pinterest board, so you can have an idea of what you would really desire, and, of course, then research cheaper alternatives to turn your vision into reality. You can print the pictures for inspiration and write down all the elements you absolutely want in your wedding, research for similar products or decorations at lower prices, see what you can DIY, or have any existing items that you can reuse.
2. Choose an affordable location
There are many beautiful wedding venues in your area that could help you achieve your dream wedding, but if you check on the price, you might change your mind. Weddings are not easy on the wallets, so if you really want to stick to your budget, it would be best to choose an affordable location. For example, you can rent a public garden for half of the price, especially on a Sunday, choose the indoors or outdoors of a recreation center, host the wedding in your backyard if you have a small guest list, or, for a country vibe, consider a farm or rustic barn. But a ballroom wedding is what you want, go for it and try to save on costs on other aspects of your wedding if budget is an issue.
3. Keep the guest list small
“I have to invite them. Otherwise, they get mad.” If we are not talking about a close friend of yours, but you’re referring to someone you hear from once a year, the answer is no, you should not invite them. For a budget-friendly wedding, it’s essential to keep the guests small and don’t be afraid to be a little bit selfish. Realistically, it would be best to invite close friends and family members, because other people that are not close to either you or your husband might feel your wedding is an obligation. So, keep things relaxed, promote a friendly atmosphere, and keep that list small whenever possible.
4. Find affordable dresses
Wedding dresses can be incredibly expensive. However, you can find stunning options for much less money. For example, you can still shop for wedding dresses that costs under $500, you can also find affordable and beautiful bridesmaid dresses in a broad range of colors by shopping online, while still being able to stick with your wedding theme. Also, you can find other affordable services such as make-up and hairstyle for much less as well, as long as you don’t opt for a full-time professional salon but try to give a chance to aspiring artists who look for models to practice or they ask for an affordable price for their service since they’re likely building up their portfolio.
5. DIY the décor
The wedding décor can set the atmosphere and create the theme you want. Flowers, bows, photo booths, and more can be very expensive, so it would be a great idea to get a little creative and DIY the projects. For instance, you can use fake flowers and create beautiful arrangements as a centerpiece for your tables and décor the guests’ chairs, choose a sheet, and use vintage elements for the background to create a unique photo spot, use balloons, greenery, and other objects you can use for DIY projects that could make the most of your wedding.
6. Hire an aspiring photographer
Your wedding will be one of the most important days of your life so, understandably, you want to capture every moment to create a memory you can keep with you forever in an album. Still, hiring a professional photographer can be costly, so you can achieve similar results and receive incredible photos from engaging a junior photographer as well, or someone who takes pictures as a hobby, or an aspiring photographer like a student. Also, to save even more money, consider establishing a limited number of photos you want and agree on a timeframe in which the photographer will be available at your wedding.
7. Have your playlist ready
A wedding without music is not a wedding because, after all, everyone wants to party all night after the reception. Hiring a DJ or musician is often the most expensive part of the wedding, so in order to stick with your budget, it would be best to have your own playlist ready. Create a playlist on your Spotify account and select your favorite songs, but bear in mind to mix various music genres to please your wedding guests, so that they all can bring their best moves with you on the dancefloor!
Holding a wedding on a budget is possible
We hope this article inspires you to make the most of your big day and organize your dream wedding without breaking the bank. All you need to do is to set a realistic budget and plan your wedding decor according to it. Be prepared to make some sacrifices and get more hands-on so that you can have the wedding you have always envisioned it to be.
