I think by age 5, every little girl starts dreaming of her wedding. The perfect fairy-tale wedding may change from pink tutus and princess crowns to a stunning white dress and dancing under the stars, but we dream and plan long before the groom is even really a thought. (So ironic, isn’t it!)
When that stunning ring is finally on your finger, (and when the groom is actually the most important part! :) ), the real planning begins. With the average wedding cost for 2014 hitting $30,000, what do you do when your budget doesn’t quite match up to your dreams?
Today we’re going to share a few budget tips to help you bring your dreams and reality a little closer together. Consider some of these suggestions to bring down that price tag by a few digits.
First of all, you need to decide on your priorities. Think about what is going to be the most important to you when it is all said and done. Do you really want to have amazing pictures to keep forever? Are you a huge foodie (*Amber raises hand*) and get more excited about the food than anything else? Have you hand picked the exact flowers you just know you need in your bouquet?
1. As photographers, we obviously think pictures are one of the most important parts! The memories and pictures are what last, long after everything else is gone. We always believe that being able to look at works of art with an amazing experience to go along with it is a priceless investment that you’ll have for the rest of your life! Find a photographer that you love and budget whatever you need to get that.
2. Talk to your vendors about ways to cut the cost a little bit. A delicious chicken and pasta dish instead of filet mignon, in-season flowers instead of roses. The vendors you choose will be experts in their field and will be happy to help you decide the best options for your budget. Just remember – they won’t necessarily be able to create a gourmet 5 course meal for $500 just because that’s what you want! You have to be open and ready to make small sacrifices in order to get what you would really like.
3. Girls love shoes. There’s just no way around it! Before you spend $300 on those fancy, strappy shoes that will probably sit in your closet forever, consider purchasing a non-name brand pair. With your gorgeous face and stunning wedding dress (that will probably hide your feet, anyway), not many people will even notice the shoes.
4. Hire a wedding planner. What, what? It might seem like an extra, unnecessary expense at first, but wedding planners and actually help you save money! They have so much experience with weddings that they can help you find the best choices for your budget. If the price tag for the full wedding planning service is still out of your price range, consider asking them what other options they might offer for partial services. While we’re on that topic, even having a day-of coordinator takes a TON of stress off of you and your family. You enjoy the memories and know that you have an experienced professional handling all the details for you!
5. If you’ve always wanted a photobooth but just can’t swallow the price tag, think about creating your own! Put up a fun colored sheet for the backdrop, put out a few fun accessories (think crazy glasses, glam clip on jewelry, hats, boa, mustache on a stick…). Get a friend or two to volunteer to man the camera for the night. Fun memories of your guests for a really small price!
6. Really love that caterer but just can’t quite swing the price of a full dinner? Think about being creative and having a brunch reception instead (think omelet station..yum)! Morning weddings and brunch receptions are becoming more and more popular – and for a good reason! It’s different, fun, and can help cut some costs! Or consider an afternoon tea reception instead of a full dinner. If you’re willing to be flexible on the time of day, there are so many fun ways to make it work for you!
7. This one is super tough for me, because I love to love people. But cutting back the guestlist is one very effective way to cut costs. That means you will be saving money on catering, favors, invitations, decorations (less tables to decorate!), and everything else. We’re in the south and here it’s really hard to cut down that list. However, you may want to rethink inviting every one of your coworkers and every neighbor on your street. You would rather spend your precious wedding day with people you really love, rather than hugging people you really don’t know.
8. Having an open alcohol bar is a quick way to increase the bill! Instead, consider doing a different type of drink bar – like Piper and Leaf’s Artisan Tea Bar or Grounded’s Coffee Bar. These options are just as fabulous and not as pricey! (P.S. Some drink bars, like Piper and Leaf, let your guests keep their drink jars as a wedding favor. Double budgeting whammy right there!)
Always remember, this is YOUR wedding and you can make it whatever you want it to be! Think outside the box and be creative. Spend your budget on what you think is important, and don’t be afraid to nix something that you really don’t care about. And at the end of the day, you’ll be married. That’s really the most important part.
*hugs*
Amber
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