Weddings are one of, if not the most, exciting moments in life. However, having to raise the celebration itself out of your own finances can also be a stressful experience. The good news is that if you think things through and make smart decisions, you'll have a beautiful wedding that won't require you to spend more than you'd like. Here are some tips to help you plan the wedding of your dreams without financial stress.
Set a realistic budget
The first step in planning a wedding without financial stress is to set a realistic budget. Calculate how much you can afford without putting your family and your well-being at financial risk. A rough estimate of all the planned costs in a notebook or Excel spreadsheet will be useful.
Include all potential costs. Every wedding is different, but you will have to pay for: the outfit, the rings, the venue for the ceremony (most of the time) and for the informal part, the catering (hot + sweet foods), the drinks and the reception at the venue (if any), the photography, the video, the decorations, the host and the music, and many other things.
Once you have a budget, stick to it. Naturally, compromises will have to be made. Prioritise and allocate your budget accordingly. For example, if you are very keen on photos but not so keen on a "champagne table", you can spend the latter on the photographer. Knowing your priorities will allow you to make the necessary compromises and avoid financial stress.
Choose a cheaper venue for the informal part
The wedding venue will either be the biggest or among the top 3 most expensive expenses for most. For this reason, it is important to understand how much can be done by compromising on the venue.
To save money, consider non-traditional venues such as parks, the backyard of your home, or even newly opened but beautiful locations. Alternatively, if the celebration is intimate and not many people are attending, you can choose to book a table at a restaurant you love. This is often cheaper than a farmhouse or other dedicated event space.
Also, consider having your wedding in the low season or on a weekday, as for example, renting a farmhouse on a Thursday is 25-50% cheaper than on a Saturday.
Rent instead of buy
One of the best ways to save money is to rent equipment and decor instead of buying it. Items such as tables, chairs, wedding attire and even decorations can be rented for a fraction of the price you would pay if you were buying.
Rental companies, including us, offer a wide range of products and options, so you can create the look you want without spending a fortune. And if you do decide to buy something, take advantage of discounts and don't shy away from offers such as buy with instalment plan, which is also available from Renginio Partneris.
DIY where possible
Another way to save money is to do some of the wedding arrangements yourself. This could include: making invitations, designing and hanging decorations, making the cake and desserts, or organising the running of the party. If it is not too overwhelming for them, you can ask relatives, bridesmaids and/or groomsmen to help coordinate or host.
Although DIY projects are time-consuming, they add personality to a wedding and can significantly reduce costs. Just make sure you don't take on too much work as this can cause unnecessary stress.
Some other tips
- A smaller guest list can also reduce costs. If you are saving money, invite only close family and friends.
- Catering and drinks also make up a large part of the wedding budget. Consider offering a buffet or a home-cooked treat instead of a dinner with a menu.
- Traditional paper invitations are also a significant cost. Digital invitations are a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative.