Weddings don’t have to be overly expensive. Those over-the-top decors, that costly venue and that buffet could be done away with for cheaper alternatives. If you want to keep the costs down then you need to prioritize the different things that you want. While one person may want to arrive in an nj limo, others might be content turning up in their own car. Some would want a fancy venue and cheaper food, others might want the opposite. Where you spend your money is all down to personal preference. In fact, there are numerous ways to plan an affordable wedding without necessarily compromising on the majesty of the occasion. After all, it is your special day. Here are a few ways to plan a wedding without breaking the bank.
1. Narrow down your guest list
With all the excitement of the wedding, you may find yourself to invite everyone to the wedding from your long lost cousin to the mailman. If frugal is what will define your marriage ceremony, please avoid a bloated guest list. Each new guest means additional wedding expenses and a less personal wedding vibes.
2. Try to do the catering yourself
If cooking is your forte, you could try to do the catering for yourself to reduce the food costs significantly. Family and friends will be more than happy to help you in the kitchen and meals will have a homier and familiar taste to it if a member of your family owns a restaurant the better. Family restaurants are always considerate to your budget needs and will put extra effort into ensuring the event is memorable.
3. Have the ceremony at home or outside
Don’t rush to hire a building or space for your wedding, instead opt for a quiet place outside your home or have the whole event inside if you have the space. You could also hold your wedding in a beautiful, serene park with an elegant reception arrangement that is sure to make a statement. If you choose to have your wedding outside, make preparations in case of bad weather. No one likes a soggy wedding.
4. Go easy on the flowers
You shouldn’t spend a bundle on flowers that will die out immediately after the wedding. A rule of the thumb when it comes to flowers for a frugal wedding is to keep it simple and elegant. If possible, have flowers cut from your own personal garden or even use fake flowers, no one hardly even notices. All in all, try to use as few flowers as possible for maximum effect.
5. Create your own wedding invites
You don’t have to splurge on fancy wedding invitations. If you have a good ink printer, a substantial amount of time and an innate knack for design, you can make your own classy wedding invitations at the comfort of your home. If you have a creative in the family, let him express his inner Picasso in the invite, or you could settle for a classic plain text invite that is concise and to the point. You could also hire a freelancer to do the work for a very reasonable price.
6. Use your household stereo equipment and hire ‘professional’ amateurs
Hiring a DJ is one way to dent your pocket in a day. A wiser alternative is to use the stereo system from home or borrow one from your audiophile friend. You could then create a playlist of songs that could go on for hours or have a friend who knows his stuff do it for you. The speakers don’t have to crowd the entire reception, just put them around the dance floor and let everybody have a good time.
Don’t seek out costly wedding planners, caterers and other wedding professionals. Settle for an excellently reviewed amateur from the internet or a good reference from a friend. An affordable wedding photographer should be one of your topmost priority. Since you need these memories beautifully enshrined in your wedding photos. Have a detailed look at photographers’ portfolio before settling on one that won’t cost too much and will do an excellent job.
These six ways are guaranteed to save you a great deal of money that you could use for your honeymoon or your first house. What is most important is making the event joyful and memorable and ensure everyone has fun. When it comes to weddings, an expensive one doesn’t necessarily imply a great wedding and a budget ceremony is by no means a terrible wedding.
