Just Say “I Do” To A Wedding Budget Tips On Trimming Wedding Costs

Your wedding day is one of the most exciting days in your life. You gather with friends   and family to celebrate good times and the beginning of a new life together.  It all sounds so wonderful, that is, until you realize that you have to pay   for it.

According to Brides magazine, a typical wedding can cost nearly $19,000. Consider   invitations, food, music, the dress, favors and a reception hall, and the price   can quickly add up.

A wedding is a glorious occasion. It’s the start of a new adventure into wedded   bliss. But that bliss can soon fade when the bills come. By properly budgeting   and making smart purchases, a cost-efficient wedding can serve as the foundation   for responsible money management and a debt-free life together.

So, how do you achieve your fairy tale wedding on a real-world budget? Whether   it is the engaged couple or the parents of the couple who are intending to pay   for the wedding, the experts at ClearPoint Financial Solutions offer the following   tips for having a beautiful wedding on an even more beautiful budget.
 
  Here comes the budget.

  Before you begin planning, set a wedding budget. Determine what is realistic   for you based on what you can afford. For instance, if you are able to spend   $5,000 for the entire wedding, you may need to cut back on some extras and get   creative in some of the planning. For additional information on creating a wedding   budget, visit www.clearpointcreditcounselingsolutions.org/ways_to_save/wedding.aspx.

Let go of conventional wisdom.

  The old adage says that an engagement ring should equal two months of the groom’s   salary. Time to toss conventional wisdom along with the bridal bouquet. Following   old traditions may not be realistic, and two months salary can be better spent   on reducing debt, building a savings or for a down payment on a first home.

Timing is everything.

  To yield significant savings, consider the time of day you’d like to hold your   wedding. Reception halls generally tend to be more expensive during the evening   hours, so a brunch or afternoon reception can help cut costs. Saturday is also   the traditional day to hold a wedding, so considering another day of the week   can also keep the expenses down.

Forgo the fancy extras.   Sure it’s fun to indulge in life’s luxuries, but if you’re on a budget, it may   be necessary to stick to more practical wedding items. Limousines and white   doves are nice, but come with a high price tag, and you can have a perfectly   wonderful wedding without them. Consider a cash bar rather than a full open   bar. Instead, save money by forgoing these extras and put the funds towards   dinner or better yet—a newlywed savings account!

Something borrowed.

  Weddings are all about tradition. For your something borrowed, why not ask a   friend or family member for a special keepsake such as a wedding cake topper   or toasting flutes. Purchasing these items can be expensive, and by borrowing   them, not only are you saving money, you’re also sharing a special memory.

There’s no place like home.

  The average cost of a reception hall can run nearly half the total cost of the   wedding. Consider hosting the reception at a friend or family member’s home,  particularly if they have a big backyard. This will allow for more money for   cake, food, music and other wedding necessities.

It’s all about the dress.

  The first thing that comes to mind when brides think of their wedding is their   dress. Every bride wants to look her best, but spending $1,000 on a wedding   gown isn’t necessarily realistic. There are a lot of bridal shops that offer   discounted dresses, as well as rental shops for even more savings. Brides can   also consider wearing their mother’s or sister’s dress, which doesn’t come with   a price tag, but carries priceless sentimental value.

Stick to your nearest and dearest.  

Planning a wedding for 500 of your closest friends and family can be expensive,  not to mention stressful. To save money, consider cutting down the guest list.  Most reception halls will charge per plate, so keeping the guest list more contained   will allow for a more manageable budget.

Seasonal flowers.
 
Selecting flowers that are in season can greatly reduce the cost at the florist.  Brides and grooms should consult with their florist to determine which flowers   would be most cost-effective before determining their selection. Choosing artificial   flowers can also help keep the costs down. Another flower fact: Bouquets make   great table centerpieces. Once the ceremony is over, place the bridesmaids’  bouquets on the reception tables for an instant and recyclable decoration.

Do it yourself.

  Hiring a wedding planner, printer, DJ, baker and other personnel to help with   wedding tasks can quickly drive up the bill. Instead, consider printing your   own invitations, selecting your own music and making your own cake. Most office   supply stores carry wedding invitation and program kits that you can print at   home. Instead of hiring a DJ or band, pre-select the reception music and play   it yourself during the reception, or better yet, enlist the help of a friend   or family member to monitor the music.

"Weddings can carry a high price tag, and often people get carried away   thinking that they have to spend a fortune on their special day. Sometimes,  the amount of money that is spent on a wedding is equivalent to the amount used   to purchase a car or put a down payment on a house," said Ann Estes, vice   president of client education and counseling delivery for ClearPoint Financial   Solutions. "With creativity, smart planning and proper budgeting, it’s   possible to have the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank."