Tips to stretch your wedding budget
Irrespective of what your wedding budget maybe, the key to keeping your wedding celebrations within the allocated budget is to be organised. Your wedding budget can be broken down to the following main categories: the wedding reception, wedding music, wedding flowers, wedding photographs, the wedding gown and other miscellaneous wedding costs. Here are some tips to better manage your wedding budget.
The Wedding Reception
Your wedding reception will undoubtedly be the biggest strain on your wedding budget. In order to keep your wedding within budget, consider avoiding peak wedding months as this will mean a considerable saving when booking your reception venue. Other alternatives include changing your wedding reception time to mid morning or afternoon as this will cost considerably less than a dinner wedding spread. This will also help with your alcohol budget as wedding guests are less likely to consume large amounts of alcohol during the mid morning or afternoon.
Wedding Music
Wedding music is a good area to cut down on unwanted costs and stay within your overall wedding budget. Hiring a DJ is much more cost effective than hiring a band to play at your wedding.
Wedding Flowers
Wedding flowers are another area in which you can stay within a tight budget. Ensure you opt for flowers which are in season at the time of your wedding as these will cost much less than out of season flowers. Also save your wedding budget by using foliage for decorating the wedding venue with a few strategically positioned flowers for optimum effect.
Wedding Photographs
When it comes to your wedding photographs it is best to stretch your budget, as your photographs will be a wedding keepsake you and your partner will cherish. However ensure you compare wedding photographs which can be taken at an hourly rate and wedding package deals to see which one is more budget effective. Another good option for stretching your wedding budget is to hire a professional to take your formal wedding shots and then provide disposable cameras to your guests to take candid shots for your wedding memories.
The Wedding Gown
Your wedding gown does not have to be couture in order for you to look spectacular on your wedding day. A good budget saving option is to opt for a pre-loved wedding gown or maybe alter a wedding gown worn by a family member. Alternately consider wearing a gown which is not specifically a wedding gown so that you can wear it for other functions as well.
Miscellaneous wedding costs
Other wedding costs which can considerably damage your wedding budget include wedding invitations, hair and make up and transportation.
Wedding Invitations
Remember your guests are more likely to remember your actual wedding than your wedding invitations so don’t go overtop and bust you wedding budget right at the start. Printing your own wedding invitations is a great way to save on your wedding invitation budget.
Hair and make up for your wedding
Obtain the help of friends or family who have the required expertise and enjoy further savings on your wedding budget.
Transportation to your wedding
Transportation is a good place to reduce your budget. Consider asking a friend with a nice car to loan you their vehicle for the day as their wedding gift to you.