A Wedding on a Budget: 5 Practical Tips

A wedding on a budget seem like an oxymoron. A wedding is one of the most expensive events. From the dresses and suits to the reception décor, wedding furniture rental, and party favors, wedding rings and jewellery – a couple who is about to get married will have a lot of pencil-pushing to do to make sure that there’s room for everything in their budget.

If you really know what you want and are planning way ahead of time, it is not all that difficult to do this. You need the luxury of time and a lot of elbow grease to spruce up a wedding on a budget. It’s great if you can have a group of friends as your “event committee” to help you with all the leg work.

Getting organized

The first thing for you to do is to get organized. You need to have a plan that will be your guide as you near your wedding day. Your plan should include a checklist of things to do, your budget, and your schedule.

When you are working on a limited budget, you have to spend a lot of time canvassing and looking for suppliers that can give you what you need at the lowest prices. And scheduling, with the help of your friends will make this easier.

Renting

You also have to remember that you do not have to buy everything. Going for rentals will considerably cut your costs. By rentals, we mean gowns, tuxedos, bridesmaid dresses – which are the usual rentals for a wedding. But getting them as a bundle from wedding service providers will relatively lower the amount you have to pay.

Borrowing

You can ask your granny or mom to let you borrow some jewellery instead of buying them. Jewellery is often on the something-borrowed ideas list for many brides, whether a bracelet, a watch, or earrings. They would probably need to be adjusted a little to fit you, but that’s easy with the right tools. There are also other items you can borrow instead of paying for on your big day. Here are some:

1. Hair accessories and other things

When you buy hair accessories for you and your bridesmaids, it would really cost a lot. Look around for friends who had their wedding and ask to borrow hair accessories such as hair pins, tiaras, bows.

You can also borrow dresses for your bridesmaids and suits for your groomsmen, if this is okay with them. There is nothing wrong with borrowing, especially if the pieces were only worn once. Surely, there needs to be adjustments, but it’s minimal work.

2. Get-away car

Bridal car rentals are the in thing, but why rent when you can borrow? There would definitely be a friend from each of your side as the bride and groom who is willing to lend you their car.

3. Table setting items, centerpieces

Stick with your motif, but ask family and friends for items that they can add to the table setting, think like a personal item that reminds them of you, pretty table napkins, and other trinkets. You can even ask them for vases that is close to your color motif.

4. Decorations

Borrow decorations for the venue – both for the ceremony and the reception. So gather vases, cloths, laces, and so from friends and family. Ask them to visualize decor around your motif.

5. Live Band

Have a niece or nephew who is starting out her or his career in singing? Ask them to sing for you, and also ask your circle if they know a band that’s willing to perform in exchange for exposure. (You can always pay them but I’m sure, they would also love to gift you a performance if they are family.)

Picking Practicality

Even in your choice of wedding and reception venue, there are creative ways to save on costs. Instead of booking a hotel ballroom or any other party venue, you can look for a bare room that can be decorated and dressed up to suit your wedding theme.

Reception

A roof deck, for example, can be a great wedding reception venue for an afternoon wedding. You can set up a covered area with rented wedding furniture to serve as your lounging and changing area. For an intimate reception, you can have sofas, low tables, and stools instead of the standard round dinner tables. This way, people can mingle and sit together comfortably as they celebrate your wedding with you.

Food/Catering

You also do not have to spend too much on the food with this kind of a reception since it’s not a sit down dinner. An informal setting could mean a more comfortable time for eating as well.

Besides, the cozy atmosphere puts more focus on conversations and sharing your joy as a newlywed couple. Watching the sunset and having the canopy of stars slowly form above the venue gives the wedding a romantic touch without you having to spend another penny.

A Wedding on a Budget Takeaways

Practicality for a wedding means spending less but still having the best. Enlist your friends and family members to help you find the best deals, and in doing tasks leading to the wedding.

Remember, weddings are about family togetherness, so a cozy reception may be embraced as they would a formal one, with less the glamour.