Wedding costs are higher than ever before - in fact, the average wedding cost this year is expected to be around $33,000. This is a $4,000 increase over the previous year.
High inflation rates mean that many vendors have had to raise prices just to keep up in a tough market. In addition, there is high demand for key parts of the season, which drives venue pricing up. Brides and grooms are feeling the effects of inflation as well, and many couples are opting for budget weddings just to keep prices reasonable.
But just because you’re having a wedding on a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your vision or worse, take out costly loans that will leave you scraping by for years. With some creativity and planning, you can bring your dream wedding to life.
Let’s take a look at some of the best affordable wedding tips, as well as how to save for a wedding and avoid debt in the planning process.
How to keep wedding costs down & avoid going into debt for your wedding day.
Planning Your Wedding: How To Save & Avoid Debt
Setting a realistic budget and planning in advance is the first step to keeping you from going into debt for your wedding. Work with your partner and both of your families to determine what you can afford to spend right now, as well as how much you want to save in the months leading up to the wedding.
Then, open a separate high-yield savings account just for the wedding, and designate a manageable amount of each paycheck to deposit. The earlier you can start saving, the better! Taking just a little bit of extra time to save can significantly reduce your stress levels when the wedding finally rolls around.
Now that you’ve created a savings plan, you should have some idea of what you can afford to spend on the wedding. From there, you’ll be able to work with your fiance to decide what’s most important to you and what you can skip. The most important thing is celebrating with your loved ones - everything else is just icing on the cake.
10 Simple Ways To Save Money On Your Wedding Day
1. Watch meal costs, carefully
Many people mistakenly think that buffet meals are cheaper than family-style or plated options. While this can be true, it isn’t always the case. When meeting with your potential caterers, be sure to have them price out the various options for you. The prices really come down to the food choices you select. Do your homework and see how much you can save.
Oftentimes, a local restaurant or BBQ joint will offer you a great deal to come out and cater a few plate options to everyone for the day. Sometimes, they'll even throw some things in.
READ MORE: Here are our favorite backyard catering ideas to spice things up for your wedding.
2. Rent your attire.
There are many wedding related outfits that are easy to rent, rather than purchasing outright. Renting the groom’s tuxedo is a common cost-cutting measure, but you can also rent other pieces of wedding attire such as outfits for both sides of your bridal party, suits and dresses for the rehearsal dinner, and more. Depending on what you want to wear, you may even be able to rent your wedding dress.
3. Choose an unconventional venue.
Look at a variety of different wedding venues to find options that fit in your budget. This is where small, backyard wedding venues come in! Explore small historic venues in town or local backyard wedding venues in lieu of large hotels or all-inclusive event centers to find more reasonable pricing and to add some quaint flare to your big day.
Go through the vacation rental search in the city your searching for and see if there are reviews or comments from previous guests about hosting weddings and events there. You'll be surprised what hidden gems are out there, if you spend a little time looking.
4. Get married on a weekday.
This one is huge. It's not always practical, but if you can make it work, do it! Weekend weddings are the most expensive as they make up the majority of wedding dates and there are limited weekends available, so consider this easy, big-money saving trick by hosting your celebration on a weekday instead. Even if it's a Sunday afternoon or evening, it will be cheaper than a Friday or Saturday. Be sure to send out your save-the-dates well ahead of time so that guests can take time off work.
5. Rent or DIY your decorations.
Have a creative bone in your body (or maybe a friend with one)? Build out some of your own decor to keep it personal on your wedding day. You can start from scratch or get some ideas and materials from Etsy or Facebook Marketplace. Or, if it's a specific decoration that you can’t make yourself, look for ways to rent them from local vendors.
Learn more: Best Custom Etsy Additions for your DIY wedding
6. Use online invitations.
Not only is this a great way to save money, but it’s also good for the planet. It’s easier than ever to set up digital invitations and collect RSVPs online to save on printing costs.
Platforms like Zola, Joy, and WeddingWire make it easy to create a wedding website and share all of the important details with your guests. Plus, your hand will be way less tired, not having to write in all those return addresses on envelopes.
7. Consider the micro-wedding.
Small backyard weddings (AKA micro-weddings) have been a popular wedding trend over the past few years. Not only are they more affordable and easier to plan than large weddings, but they also create an intimate atmosphere that many couples prefer.
If you’re looking for a way to drastically cut down on costs, re-evaluate your guest list and narrow it down to your most important family members and friends. We recommend checking out Airbnb wedding venues near you to host the perfect small backyard wedding.
8. Use seasonal flowers for your arrangements.
Flowers that are in-season tend to be more affordable since they are easier to shop for. Plus, you have the added benefit of matching the mood of the times. Work to base your colors schemes around what the seasonal foliage will be, when planning out your overall style.
9. Minimize your drink menu.
You don’t need to offer a pricey full bar to keep your guests happy. Focus on 1 or 2 drink items to offer your guests or consider serving just a few beers and wines.
Here in Texas, some good ol' ice tea tends to make us happy. Dirt cheap and delicious in the Summertime.
10. Set a designated time for photos and video.
Photographers charge by the hour, so you’ll save money by not hiring them for the full celebration. Instead, hire your photographer for the ceremony and a designated photo session during the reception, and capture your own candid photos for the rest of the evening.
Wedding Savings Takeaways
Don’t let a limited wedding budget hold you back. You don’t need all the bells and whistles of an expensive wedding to have an amazing day. Ultimately, what’s most important is the memories you’re making on this special day. Get creative with these cost-cutting wedding tips to find an approach that works for you.
Are you interested in having a gorgeous, affordable backyard wedding at the historic Olde House? We’d love to be a part of your big day. Book now
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