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If you’re struggling to plan your wedding on a budget and think that it’s impossible to tie the knot with tight purse strings: think again.
This week’s blog post will focus on how to plan a wedding on a budget. With 100% beauty and 0 compromise on glamour, we have 7 tips to lower the price on the most special day of your life.
Tip 1 - Get married on any other day but a Saturday:
We’re not surprised that the most popular day for weddings is a Saturday.
It makes sense. People are able to attend without having to book time off work, everyone can have a drink, (or ten), because they won’t need to go to work the next day and it gives you the whole day to be worry-free.
In fact, The Knot 2017 Real Weddings Study states that 7 in 10 weddings take place on a Saturday.
That said, getting married on any other day is becoming a well known budget-saving trick.
Not only does it lower the cost, but it opens up so many options for you. If you’re planning a smaller wedding, then the amount of guests who request to take time off work will also lower.
To book a Saturday wedding, you need to book a year or more in advance.
And, if you’re in love with a particular venue, there’s a good chance that it’ll be booked for the Saturday of your choice.
Being open to getting married on a Friday or a Sunday, (or any other day than Saturday, really), will open up the bookings. While there’s not a 100% guarantee that you’ll get your fairytale wedding venue, the chances are much higher if you choose a non-Saturday.
You’ll save serious dollar. Plus, we’re of the opinion that love can and should be celebrated on every day of the week. Why should Saturday get all the fun?
Tip 2 - Do a Monica and grab your dress on sale:
We’re obsessed with F.R.I.E.N.D.S here at Engagement Designs.
Who remembers this scene?
Monica finds her dream wedding dress. She announces “this is the one.”
When a stranger tells her that she could never afford any of the wedding dresses in the bridal shop, Monica explains that she couldn’t either. She planned to go to a discount store in Brooklyn to find the exact replica of her dream dress.
Monica turns into a bit of a Bridezilla, but for this nifty saving technique? We’re firmly on team Geller-Bing.
Check out Pinterest for inspiration and attend wedding fairs. You’ll be amazed at how close you can match the design for a fraction of the price.
A bonus tip is to print off a few images from the Internet that show the design you like. Trying dresses on at a wedding fair or bargain stores can be tricky, as it’s usually flooded with brides-to-be. So, try a few on in your local bridal-wear shop first.
Tip 3 - Homemade invitations:
Did you know, the average cost of wedding invitations sits between $400-$650? That’s a whole lot of money. And, if you’re crafty, you could replicate it for much less.
You can check out Amazon’s ‘wedding invitations’ results if you’re not into art.
If you are, consider buying a pack of postcards and creating them yourself. The only problem is that it will eat up a good chunk of your time.
In which case, check out Canva. With hundreds of free templates, you can choose and design an invitation that is aligned with your theme.
Then, replace the paper with card in the printer, and print them out.
You’ll need to pay to have them posted, of course, but this will help to keep the costs down.
Tip 4 - Have a Christmassy wedding:
There are hundreds of reasons why we’re crazy about the most wonderful time of the year.
Not only is it a stunning season to tie the knot, but you could also save a big chunk of cash.
Summer is known as the wedding season, but winter is now a force to be reckoned with due to the massive range of benefits that come along with it, in a flurry of wedding inspired beauty.
Tip 5 - Support and use small businesses:
Small businesses are heavily reliant on the local customers. Instead of using big brands, reach out to local businesses. Their prices will be much lower and you’ll receive top quality customer service.
Small business owners generally love what they do, and they’re pushing through the competition of the ‘big guys’ with their passion and dedication to make your wedding day the best day of your life.
Check out small businesses in the wedding industry that can organize and deliver your flowers, your wedding cake and your photography.
Tip 6 - Get your Gordon Ramsay on and make your own canapés:
While making a three course meal for potentially hundreds of people may be out of the question, making small canapés yourself is a great way to save some money.
While you won’t save thousands, every penny counts.
Plus, if your family enjoy cooking, try to get them on board with helping you, too.
If you’re struggling for canapé inspiration, check out Bride Magazine’s ‘30 Ideas for your Wedding Canopies’. You’re going to want to pick recipes that are easy to assemble and are to your guest’s tastes.
Be wary with allergies and dietary requirements, too.
Tip 7 - Limit your guest list to the people who truly matter to you:
If you don’t like Sharron from Accounting but feel you need to invite her out of duty, then this tip is for you.
Limit your guest list to the people you genuinely want and need to be at your wedding. Don’t invite family members you’ve never met - keep it small and intimate.
Chances are, you’ll enjoy it far more.
You’ll be surrounded by the people who mean something to you, with no need to be on your best behavior in front of ‘people from the office’.
Plus, you’ll save money on catering. Win-win!
Planning a wedding on a budget isn’t impossible. While each of our tips won’t save thousands when used alone, when you combine all 7 tips, you’ll be amazed at how much money you can set aside for your future.
The thing is, getting married is expensive. There’s so much to plan, hire and pay for. It’s likely to be the most expensive gathering you’ll ever host.
But, it’s totally, 100%, completely worth it.
And, if you can save a few hundred dollars here and there - why wouldn’t you?
Are you planning a wedding on a budget? Why not check out our wedding bands? Our lab-grown diamonds make each band far more affordable with no compromise on the elegance and beauty of the rings.
Do you have any other money-saving wedding tips? Let us know in the comments.