How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Wedding

Weddings are expensive, and costs can quickly spiral out of control. Everyone deserves to have their dream wedding, but saving and budgeting for a wedding can be stressful! The good news is, there are plenty of thrifty and creative ways to save money while planning your special celebration.

Here are tips to help you plan a budget-friendly wedding:

Get married on a weekday

Getting married on a weekday is one of the most effective ways to reduce your wedding costs. Venues can be significantly cheaper on weekdays, and popular venues are more likely to be available if you choose to get married on an off-peak day. It is common for sought-after wedding venues to be fully booked on Saturdays and Sundays for two years or more.

Many vendors offer discounts on midweek weddings, meaning you will save even more money. For instance, englishweddingcars.com offers 20% off midweek bookings. Take the time to shop around and negotiate with vendors to find the best deals, especially if you are planning a weekday wedding.

Consider a pre-owned dress

Choosing your wedding dress is one of the most important parts of wedding planning. New wedding dresses from bridal stores can cost thousands of dollars, which is a huge expense for an outfit that you are only likely to wear once.

Choosing a pre-loved wedding dress is an excellent way to save money and help the environment by reducing waste. According to BrideBox, “pre-owned gowns in gently worn condition can usually be found for 50% off the retail price.” You may also be able to resell your dress after your wedding to recoup some of the cost.

Utilize your friends’ talents

Don’t be afraid to utilize your guests’ skills and ask for their help. For instance, if you have a friend that is a talented musician, then ask if they would perform at your wedding. Likewise, if you have a keen photographer in the family and you have seen their work, why not ask them to take a few snaps of the day? This can lower the hours that need a professional photographer and, therefore, lowers the cost. Most family members and friends will be honored to be asked to play an important role on your special day.

Find a venue with no corkage

Picking a venue with no corkage can save you huge amounts of money on your catering costs. You will also have more control over what alcohol and soft drinks you provide your guests. Drinks packages can be extremely expensive, and providing your own alcohol can be a great way to save money.

Not all venues allow this, so look for a venue that offers a no corkage policy. Some venues also allow you to pay a fee to bring your own alcohol on the day. Make sure that you check the terms and cost of this before you commit to a venue.

Summary

Getting married is never cheap, but there are lots of simple ways to make your special day more affordable. Getting married on a weekday, choosing pre-loved wedding essentials, and opting for a wedding with no corkage can slash your wedding costs significantly. Use these tips to plan your dream wedding and keep within your wedding budget.