Planning a wedding isn’t proclaimed to be one of the most stressful events for no reason. In fact, the sheer complexity of planning such an event can make you feel overwhelmed quite easily. There are a huge number of variables that need to be taken care of, and at the beginning, you probably aren’t even sure where to start. Now, take all that, and add the factor of how pricey weddings actually are. Yes, you truly do have to put effort and money in order to make things work. Or, do you?
Sure – if you have the means to do so and that is your wish, you can go and spend all the money you want. But we’re all well aware that not everyone has the luxury of doing so. The thing is, your wedding doesn’t have to suffer because of this, that is, if you know some tips and tricks. And this is exactly what you’ll be reading about in this article.
You don’t need to compromise enjoyment if you want to pay less. In fact, the probability is high that when the day comes, it will be all that more rewarding to see your vision come true! Having all that said, in order to help you get the party started and save some money doing so, make sure to keep on reading!
Instead of hiring a DJ, entrust this job to a reliable friend
Music plays an essential role when it comes to weddings, and finding the right DJ isn’t always as easy as you might think. Of course, hiring the ones that are the best known out there comes with a big price – literally. But here’s the thing – who can possibly understand what songs are the most relevant to you specifically than your closest friends? And if you combine that knowledge with the best wedding songs that are known to take every wedding to the next level – and you’ve got yourself a DJ. So, instead of wedding gifts, you can ask a friend to help you with your wedding and be your DJ instead.
Cut the flowers to a minimum
Flowers are probably the most used type of decoration out there when it comes to weddings. But, boy oh boy can this luxury decoration turn out to be expensive. Not only do you have to actually buy the flowers, but there are a lot more steps that can turn out to be additional costs. You need someone to help you decide on what flowers you should buy, someone to arrange them, to take care of them, and similar. All this is why it would be best if you weren’t to make flowers the main decorative aspect of your wedding.
Candles are just as efficient
A great alternative to flowers, especially when it comes to tables, are candles. Candles come in all shapes and colors, and hence can easily be personalized to your liking. They provide a really atmospheric aesthetic and cost way less than flowers.
DIY invitations? Sure!
Paying someone to design and print your wedding invitation might be easier and more convenient, but there are other ways to do this. In fact, if you decide to do the invitations yourself, you are ensuring that they are more personal. This is something that will surely positively affect everyone that you invite! Even a simple, handwritten invitation can turn out to be beautiful and just as effective. So, if you want to cut costs, make sure to grab your pencils and start writing those invitations!
Home weddings aren’t all that budget-friendly
Many people tend to think about opting for a wedding at home when they try to find ways to cut costs. The thing is, doing a wedding at home might actually turn out to cost more than renting a venue. The reason for this lies in the fact that it takes a lot to transform a home into a wedding venue. You will end up paying more for seating, clearing the areas for guests, organizing proper bathrooms, and more. You probably won’t even realize how underequipped your home is for such an occasion until you start transforming it. Or better – just don’t.
Make sure that you’re the one stocking the bar
Most of the venues offer various bar-related options, but you can also choose to take care of this by yourself. Opting to take care of stocking the bar by yourself is a great way to cut costs, as you are the one that can get to decide on everything. You don’t have to pay a price for the amount of alcohol that will possibly end up not being consumed. Be careful not to underestimate how much you need though!
Go for family-owned restaurants
Many people tend to choose familiar, wedding-oriented restaurants and large chains when they look for food options. One thing is certain, those types of restaurants do indeed have a lot of experience in the topic. They are probably going to know the intricate details that you might look for, especially when it comes to organization.
Here’s the thing though, if you want to save some money and still end up with delicious food – there is a way for you to do that. The answer lies in small, family-owned restaurants. These restaurants can save you a huge amount of money, and still get you everything that you need. Additionally, the probability is high that they would even put an extra amount of effort into meeting your wishes. The reason for this lies in the fact that this is the possibility for the small restaurant to get some new customers!
Involve your loved ones in the planning process!
As the last tip in this article, let’s talk about the people around you for a bit. In most cases, people tend to get so overwhelmed and stressed when planning a wedding that they don’t look around themselves enough. Your loved ones know you best, and the probability is high that they also have some good ideas on how to cut costs as well. So, make sure to involve your friends and family in some brainstorming sessions in order to find more ways to ensure that your wedding is perfect!
In the end, it all boils down to being vigilant and resourceful. Just as with anything, service companies exist to provide convenience for services that you can indeed do by yourself. Well, in most cases. But in those that you can, opting to do things yourself can save you a lot of money! This is especially true when it comes to wedding planning, as you’ve seen in the previous text. You can find a way around spending a lot of money on almost every aspect of the wedding. So, get creative, use the tips that you’ve read about here, and start planning! Good luck!