One of the largest expenses of your lifetime will be your wedding day. But just because you are on a budget does not mean you have to elope in Las Vegas. It is possible to throw your dream wedding on a shoestring budget. Here are just a few tips to help you make your special day affordable.
Have the Ceremony at Home or Outdoors
One of the largest expenses of planning a wedding is renting out a building to hold the ceremony in. Instead, opt to hold the event at your home or at a local park. Either way, you can have your wedding outdoors, which makes for beautiful photos and a memorable day, all while saving you money. Just make sure to create a backup plan in case it ends up raining on your big day. You could rent tents for the outdoor space or invite everyone in your home to wait out the bad weather.
Keep Your Guest List Small
Another way you can prevent your wedding from costing an arm and a leg is by trimming your guest list. Although it can be tempting to invite every member of your extended family, your college roommates, your coworkers, an old boss, and your mailman, this is not necessary. Try to keep your guest list as short as you can without offending any close family members or friends.
Look for Discounts on Decorations
Consider exactly what you want your wedding decorations to look like well in advance of the big day. Then, you can do some price shopping in the months leading up to your wedding. Craft stores have sales and discounts throughout the year. If you know what you are looking for, you can purchase it when it is cheapest and save some dough. You can also save money on décor by creating your own decorations or buying them used online.
Purchase an Affordable Ring
Wedding rings are meant to symbolize your love and commitment to each other. However, an expensive ring is not necessary. It does not mean you love each other more. Instead, try to find rings that are well within your budget. Ideally, the cost of your ring should be about three percent of the overall cost of the wedding, though you can cut this down if needed. Consider shopping at discount jewelers, searching for discounts online, or get a ring at a local pawn shop, like Sol's Jewelry & Loan. Remember, you can always go for a more expensive ring five or ten years down the road when your financial situation is more stable.
Alhough weddings are usually large expenses, they do not have to be. When you use the tips above, you can have the wedding of your dreams at just a fraction of the cost.
About the author:
Hannah Whittenly is a freelance writer and mother of two from Sacramento, CA. She enjoys kayaking and reading books by the lake.
