How to Plan a Dream Wedding on a Budget
Planning your dream wedding is an exciting time, but it can also be a stressful experience, especially when you are working with a budget. Here are some tips on how I‘m planning my dream wedding on a budget:
Prioritize your expenses:
Before my fiancé and I even started any concrete planning we talked about our “non-negotiable” - what are things you must have at your wedding? For me, it was good music and for Alex it was paying for our bridal parties’ day-of expenses. Once you determine what all is most important to you as a couple, you’ll be able to price out from there, and know exactly what you’ll be working with!
Set a realistic budget:
The next step for us was to figure out how much monetary help we were getting and taking a look at our own finances to see how much we could realistically contribute. From there, we started shopping around for quotes on the big ticket items first - venue, catering, music, photography.
Do your research:
This was, for us, the most time consuming part of our planning! I looked at different venues and compared them in a spreadsheet - how much overall? Is catering included? Full bar? What other perks? One thing I’ve learned from attending other weddings is that cutting corners and finding the “cheapest option” aren’t going to get you the best results. Look for the middle ground and know going into it most of your budget will be spent on food, location, and the bar!
DIY decorations:
Get creative and make your own decorations for the wedding. We decided to make our own table signs, menu cards, guest book, and even invitation suite. I love being able to use my creativity for those things so I didn’t mind all the extra work, but make sure you’re not taking on too much! If you’re going to DIY - make sure you give yourself plenty of time to do all the projects without feeling rushed too!
Limit the guest list:
One of the easiest ways to save money on your wedding is to limit the guest list. Large families (like ours) pose a problem for a goal like this but my advice… don’t be afraid to cut, cut, cut! Start by making your guest list and include everyone! Then, take a few days and take another look - who haven’t you talked to in weeks? Months? Who can’t you imagine not being at your wedding? Move some people to the “B-list” and keep trimming until you’re comfortable!
Consider an off-peak wedding:
Most venues and vendors offer lower rates for weddings held between January-March. I am not a big fan of outdoor weddings in general, so this wasn’t a problem for us. If you don’t have your heart set on a specific date be open to all possibilities!
Shop sales and discounts:
Take advantage of sales, discounts, and promotions when shopping for attire, decorations, and other wedding essentials. No matter what your timeline is, there are deals to be found! Facebook Market and bridal groups should be your new good friend.
Stand your ground:
Trust me when I tell you people lose their minds about weddings - even the ones you don’t expect. Don’t let anyone try to nudge or persuade you to add more people or change anything about your venue/decorations if it’s not something you want to do. Sometimes this can be difficult, but it’s your day!
Use your wedding registry:
Many of couples these days live together before the wedding, or would be entering the marriage with home item hand-me-downs already. Fancy towels and new appliances are nice, but did you know you can personalize cash funds on your registry? You can set an amount for a band, open bar, and anything else you can think of for your guests to contribute to as a gift.
Hire a budget-friendly planner:
MC Celebrations offers budget-friendly packages to help you plan your dream wedding without breaking the bank. I will work with you to create a memorable experience that fits within your budget and exceeds your expectations! Planning a dream wedding on a budget is possible with careful planning and creativity. By following these tips, you can create a beautiful and memorable wedding day without overspending. Contact MC Celebrations today to learn more and start planning your dream wedding today!
