Many people may argue that the tradition of marriage is on the outs, that millennials are just not interested. But while the rate of marriage decreases, the amount of money spent on a wedding continues to climb. The average wedding costs about $30,000 which is over half the annual salary of the average American. Gone are the days of banquet hall weddings and prices. So how can you stay in your budget and stay up with the times?
Be realistic about your funds
Dream, and dream big, but don’t stress yourself out trying to figure out how to afford a venue, a dress, or even a planner that takes up most of your budget. Websites like theknot.com, weddingwire.com, and zola.com have free budgeting tools that not only track your wedding spending but also suggest a budget for each category of your wedding.
Once you understand how wedding costs are broken down and how much you have to spend – STICK TO THAT PRICE RANGE. Simply looking at more expensive options will not only disappoint you but make you spend money that you don’t have.
Take no shame in pushing your wedding date back to save more money to get what your heart desires.
Do your research
You don’t have to spend a lot of money for your wedding to be unique. Just figure out a way for it to reflect you and your groom.
Knowing when to do what also ensures low prices. For example, having your wedding on a weekday or Sunday can cut the price of your venue in half. Or, if your wedding is during the offseason (January, February, and March), you can score the same weekday prices on the weekend.
To save on flowers, be sure to pick in season. Theknot.com features a “Wedding Flower Guide”. It includes information on hundreds of flowers and when they are at the peak of their season and at their lowest cost. If a particular flower that you like isn’t in season or is kind of pricey, find one that looks similar and is available in your wedding colors. Or, don’t have flowers at all! Atlanta-based event firm ellyB events features a Hollywood Glam wedding that showcases an elegant use of feathers, and no flowers.
For a bridal couture look, at department store prices, check out David’s Bridal. They house exclusive collections with some of the wedding industry’s best such as Vera Wang and Zac Posen. Also, be on the lookout for trunk shows. Often times couture bridal designers will offer their sample gowns at a great discount. (Not sure where to find them? Ask google.)
Pinterest and Instagram should become your best friends, Instagram for inspiration, and Pinterest for unique and creative crafts.
Follow as many event planners and wedding pages on Instagram as you can stand. On these pages, you can find twists to your common wedding themes that you can use as inspiration for your wedding.
By simply searching ‘blue weddings’ on Pinterest, you would find wedding storyboards featuring chic blue stationery, images of blue bridesmaid dresses, blue bouquets, and blue decoration inspiration. These finds can keep your wedding from being predictable and give it personality.
Don’t be afraid to get your (or others’) hands dirty
Utilize all quality services of friends and family, keyword being “quality”. Cheap isn’t always better, especially if it is going to cost your peace of mind or if their work isn’t ‘as excellent as a paid professional.
Bride Tierra Fulwood has a grandmother that is a professional florist. She says, “My grandmother surprised me and said that she would cover the cost of flowers and the labor of putting together centerpieces as a wedding gift to me and Malcolm.”
Pinterest and YouTube together can be a wallet-saving grace as well. For example, floral chandeliers are becoming very popular. But the cost for the décor of a single chandelier starts at $500. This doesn’t include an installation cost if your venue doesn’t have any chandeliers to decorate. But on both Pinterest and YouTube, you can find tutorials on how to create one yourself.
Wedding DIY projects don’t have to be as extravagant as a floral chandelier, they can be smaller yet significant projects, such as bridesmaid boxes, and stationery. There are websites like Vistaprint.com, that provide hundreds of themes and templates for all your stationery needs. All you have to do is fill in your information and customize it to your liking.
Have Fun
Although it can be tedious and tiring you should enjoy the time it takes to plan your wedding. Erin Celletti, a Brides.com contributor, has a few tips for couples dragging through the process.
1. Reward yourselves at small milestones.
2. Combine planning with date nights.
3. Turn task completion into little competitions.
4. Invite friends to assist with DIY projects.
In the words of Meg Keene, author of “A Practical Wedding,” “Take some time, and enjoy being engaged. Celebrate… Because the real point of your wedding day is to end up married. Married, with grace.”