Newlyweds, with great anticipation and excitement, want to plan their wedding as quick as possible. To make a wedding successful and the organization more simple, it is important to determine a budget. Where to save and where to spend more? This is surely the first question that newlyweds have when it comes to organizing a budget friendly wedding. Check out below where we bring you 10 tips on how to do it in the best way possible.
1. Limit your Guest List
This is probably the hardest step, but It's crucial. Having a small wedding cuts down on your catering costs, the reception hall you need to rent, decoration, favors, etc. You need to limit your guest list; invite only your closest family and friends. And we mean the CLOSEST – don't invite anyone you haven't talked to in two years, the same goes for relatives. Because every time you add a person on your list, you'll increase your budget significantly. If you really don't want to hurt someone's feelings, you can also limit your guest list by making your wedding adults only.
2. Venue
The venue is definitely the most pricey staple when it comes to planning a wedding. If you won't be having a large number of guests attending, you can have your wedding in your own or friend's backyard. Also, if you choose restaurant over a hotel, you will save a lot. Summer weddings can be held in the open which offers a lot of money saving options. When picking a location, you will most likely get less pricey deals on locations outside of town.
source: https://bridalmusings.com/154338/chalet-view-lodge-mountain-wedding/
photographer: We the Wild Productions
3. Choose Friday!
Most of the weddings are held on Saturday, making them more expensive than the ones held on Friday. Restaurants and other wedding venues are not fully booked then which makes the prices go lower.
4. Seasonal flowers
Flowers always beautify any space they're put into and can make a space look more festive. Because of that, couples may be spending too much for flower arrangements. But, there is a simple way to save money. Which one, you may ask? Choose seasonal flowers. As with food, seasonal will almost always be much cheaper than the off seasonal. If you follow this guideline, you will save money! Along with that advice, research the market, talk with numerous florists. Each one will have his own ideas, and also different prices. You should always do prior research.
5. Hire a DJ
Have you ever consider hiring a DJ for your wedding? DJs tend to cost less than live wedding bands. The average cost of a DJ in the U.S. is around $1,000 ($150 to $300 per hour – it depends on the city where you live- Is it small rural area or big city like New York?!). Also, if your wedding takes place during the off- season, such as November and January or in the week day, some DJs will offer you discounts. If your budget is really really small, you can be your own DJ. Make your playlist and simply plug-in your iPod.
6. Invitations – Creative and Gorgeous
Invitations are a first thing that needs to be taken into consideration. They not only introduce your guests to the wedding's theme, but also give them useful information, like time and the place of the ceremony. The newlyweds usually overspend without even realising it. There are various apps and websites today where you can find DIY invitations. You don't even have to be creative. You just type in the necessary information and print them out, it's that simple. If you are feeling creative, we suggest to let your imagination run wild. Get inspired on Pinterest and make your own invitations; this way you'll save a lot of money, and you (and your guests) will certainly feel better knowing that you did it all by yourselves.
source: https://www.wonderlandinvites.com/products/nola
7. DIYs
If you are super creative and love to DIY, then this is the perfect way to save money. You can DIY your wedding decorations such as centerpieces or table numbers, your wedding invitations, wedding boutonniere for your groom, or even wedding favors for your guests. There are so many great ideas on Pinterest and Etsy.
8. Wedding Dress
Let's face it, wedding dresses are expensive! According to the Knot survey, the average bridal gown cost in 2019 was $1,600. But don't worry, there are so many great ways to save on a dress and still look beautiful and magical. Consider buying a sample dress. It is a perfect option for brides who want a designer dresses at a discounted price. Depending on the condition of the dress and its popularity, you may be able to buy the it over 50 percent off the initial price. Another great way of saving on a wedding dress is opting for a pre-owned wedding dress. You can find really great dresses by amazing designers for a really small price. There are many second hand sites like Still White or NearlyNewlywed. And the last, and the easiest way, is to shop your wedding dress online. There are so many great shops that offer really beautiful designs and great quality.
source:
https://www.princessly.com/organza-trumpet-wedding-dress-with-embellished-lace-style.html
9. Wedding Cake
You can't have a wedding without a wedding cake, right? Most couples spend between $300 - $700 for a cake. The bigger the cake is, the higher the cost will be. So there are two options for saving money. First, to make your own cake or if somebody in your family is an amazing baker, you can ask them to help you out. The second option is ''half-servings''
– for example, if you have a guest list of 140, order cake for 70 people and serve it in half a slice. Or you can get creative—have a cupcake or donut tower, or have a small cake to cut for pictures and then serve other small bite options for dessert.
10. Flower Girl Dresses
Average flower girl dress cost is $60, but if you're looking for something unique that will stand out, the cost can go higher and higher. That's why we recommend to shop your flower girl dresses online. There are hundreds of styles, fabrics and colors to choose from.
source: https://www.misdress.com/collections/flower-girl-dresses/products/short-sleeves-pink-jacquard-tulle-wedding-flower-girl-dress
11. Designer Shoes
Most of the brides really want their Carrie B. moment from Sex and the City. They want to have perfect designer shoes for their perfect wedding. But, take a step back and think about it if you want to save money. Do you really need designer shoes? After all, nobody will even notice them, everyone will be looking at you and your gorgeous dress.
