Did you know the average wedding in the United States costs nearly $34,000? Most of us don’t have that kind of money lying around to spend on our big day.
Your wedding shouldn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, and it definitely shouldn’t put you and your soon-to-be spouse in debt. That’s why it’s time to start planning a more affordable wedding.
Here are some key tips for planning your dream wedding on a budget!
1. Shorten Your Guest List
The easiest way to save money on a wedding is to trim down your guest list. It may be hard, but it will save you a fortune, considering the average wedding guest costs $268 each.
You can limit your wedding to family and close friends, and definitely cut out people who you don’t want there. Even if it could cause drama within the family, cutting your loud, angry uncle from the guest list can not only save you money, but it can also save you a headache.
After all, this is your big day and the people in attendance should be people you actually want there. You’ll be surprised at how much money you can save by narrowing your list down to people you and your partner really care about.
2. Try DIY Wedding Decorations
Wedding decorations can be extremely costly, but that doesn’t mean you should cut them out altogether. Decorations give your wedding the vibe you’ve always dreamed of, but if you’re on a budget, you’ll need to get a little creative.
By creating your own decorations, or getting friends to make them, you will save a fortune and end up with a much more personalized wedding. You can make your own flower arrangements, make your own light strings, or anything else you can think up.
3. Do a Buffet-Style Reception Dinner
What may end up being the most expensive part of your wedding is the reception dinner. This can get especially pricey if you’re having a large wedding. In order to save money, consider doing a buffet dinner where the guests can go up and grab their own food.
This will be a much more affordable option compared to having your guests order individually and get served by servers. You can have different food options for people who are vegetarian or gluten-free, so all of your guests can enjoy dinner at the reception.
4. Create Your Own Wedding Invitations
A simple way to cut back on spending is to make your own wedding invitations. You can use a digital design program to make it look just as professional as any company could.
If you choose to give out wedding programs with a list of all the activities, you can also make those on your own using online templates. It’s super easy and will end up saving you a big chunk of change.
5. Ask for Help
The most important tip for having a wedding on a budget is to ask friends and family for help. This doesn’t necessarily mean asking for money, but rather ask to borrow their skills or talents.
For example, if you have close friends who love DIY projects, have them help make decorations. If you have a family member who also DJs, have them DJ the reception. You’ll be surprised how happy your loved ones will be to help you achieve your dream wedding.
An Affordable Wedding Is Within Reach!
Having an affordable wedding doesn’t mean having a boring one. It just means you need to get more creative when it comes to wedding planning. Looking for more tips and advice for your big day? Check out our wedding blog page today!
