ALT-11 Best Ways to get Married on a Budget
The best way to get married on a budget is to elope. But if you want to have a wedding on a budget, that, as they say, is a horse of a different color.
The first, and somewhat obvious step is to create a budget. Write down how much you want to spend, then allot an amount of money for each category of expense involved in your wedding, such as cake, dress, etc. Too many people want to have a budget wedding, without actually setting a budget.
Because they don't get married every month, most couples don't know what things cost so they don't know what they should budget for. This is a mistake to be avoided. No matter what you have to spend, you can have a wedding for that amount, you'll just have to think outside the box. If you start price shopping without looking at creative ways to get wedding necessities, you'll make your budget based on what the wedding industry tells you it should be, which may still be more than you have to spend. By starting out with a number in mind, you will be more likely to make that number happen.
There are many ways to get married on a budget, but here are my top five suggestions to keep you out of debt, culled from my experience as a wedding consultant:
1. Shrink your guest list.
As you plan your wedding you'll begin to realize how much each guest costs. It's not just the food. It's their wedding favor, invitation, wedding program, cake, their chair and the table they sit at (if you are renting these items and they don't come free on site), the decoration that goes on their table. The little expenses surrounding each guest really add up. It sounds heartless, but in order to save money, make every effort to reduce your guest list to the very minimum number of people you can invite and be happy.
2. Plan your wedding on a short time frame.
Planning your wedding only 2-3 months out, instead of a full year, allows you to book vendors at a reduced rate. Your first choices may not be available but the vendors who are available will want your business and may be willing to give you a discount. The rules of discounts are: early bird and last minute are where the sales are. The problem with early bird for a wedding is that you also have more time to spend more money on things you don't need.
Also consider having your wedding on an off-peak day. A Thursday evening could land you low rates all around.
3. Don't have a dinner reception.
If you're going to get married in the evening, get married after dinner and have a later reception where people won't be expecting a full meal. Other alternative reception times to cut down on the catering bill: brunch or afternoon reception.
4. Photography.
There are many ways to save money on photography, arguably one of the most expensive parts of your wedding budget. If professional photography isn't all that important to you, you can get a talented friend to snap your photos. The next option up the scale would be a photography student trying to build a portfolio. They will offer you a reduced rate and give you photographs close to or as good as photography by a professional with more experience.
If you want a more experienced photographer, be sure not to hire a photographer that is "locally famous." If you do, you're paying for their name, like designer jeans, not necessarily their talent or skill-level. The best marketer isn't always the best person for the job.
Pay for the photographer's time only and reduce that by limiting the number of posed photos. Allow your guests to purchase credits toward your wedding photography package as an alternate or additional choice to a traditional gift registry to save you the expense of the photographs themselves as well as giving you a gift more meaningful than towels you'll have to replace in three years anyway. (Most couples married ten years or more don't have a single towel left that was given to them as a wedding gift.)
5. Reception Site
If at all possible, try to avoid a separate reception rental fee. This can be accomplished in several ways. If you rent a church, make sure the reception hall is included in the fee, and have your reception on site. Another option is to have your reception at the home of a friend or family member. Or choose a restaurant for your reception that will only charge you for the food. I saved a ton of money on my own wedding by doing just this.
These are only a few of the best ways you can get married on a budget, but remember to track every expense. It all adds up. Many brides save money in some areas and then start buying little things here and there that aren't part of the budget. Avoid the nickel and dime temptations and focus on saving on the big stuff. You'll be one of the smart couples that enters their marriage without wedding debt hanging over their new marriage.
