One of the most expensive days in many of our lives is the wedding day. When you think about how much a wedding costs, it can become a daunting task to just begin planning. And many people dread the idea of going into debt for a wedding.
The good news, though, is that a wedding doesn’t have to be expensive if you don’t want it to be. My own wedding, a little more than 10 years ago, cost only $3,000 — and I’ve heard of people who have been wed for even less. If you are planning a wedding anytime soon, and you want to keep it frugal, here are 5 ideas that can help you save:
1. Create a Budget
The very first thing you need to do if you want to avoid going overboard with your wedding is to set a budget. Do some research about what you can expect to pay for your wedding, and what items are likely to cost. Create a realistic budget, and then stick to it. Planning ahead can help you save money.
2. Keep it Small
One of the best ways to ensure a less costly wedding is to keep it small. Instead of planning a huge event, consider a smaller, intimate event. When you have a small wedding, everything costs less, from the venue to the decor to the food. Consider what would make the day memorable for you, and who you want to attend. As long as you aren’t worried about offending someone by keeping the guest list short, you can have a great day with your closest loved ones.
If you want to keep it really small, consider eloping. There are days that I look back and wonder if I should have just taken the money my parents spent on my wedding (little though it was) and eloped.
3. Do It Yourself
Save money by doing some of the work yourself, or by having family and friends help out. We did the decorations for my wedding on our own. My mom made my wedding dress, so we only spent the cost of the fabric. My brother made a wedding playlist on his iPod, and then had family members, in shifts, double check to make sure everything went smoothly — no paying for a D.J. Even if you don’t do the entire wedding on your own, you can find a few things to do yourself in order to save money. It’s a great way to reduce your costs.
4. Hold Your Wedding Out of Season
Getting married during certain times of the year can add a great deal to your costs. If you get married during the late spring or the summer, you might find yourself paying a premium for everything from the venue to the flowers to the food. An off-season wedding gives you a little more negotiating power, since vendors are more interested in securing your business.
5. Negotiate and Look for Discounts
You can negotiate for anything, including items related to your wedding. Look around for discounts as well. There are discounts and promos online, if you know where to look. You can find people willing to haggle with you on price for services and products, and you should do your best to shop around, and look for the best deals. You’ll save on your wedding and have more to start your life together.
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Another popular idea used is hiring a close and humorous friend of the bride and groom as the Mater Dei, it helped cut costs and also from what I’m told there wasn’t a person there that wasn’t laughing and having a good time.