5 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY WHILE PLANNING YOUR DREAM WEDDING
Planning your wedding should be an exciting time and for many couples it is. But it can also feel overwhelming with all the decisions that need to be made and details to sort out - not to mention the costs involved. If you dream of having a big fairytale wedding but are worried about how you are going to pay for it all, here are some helpful tips you can use to get started.
1. Set realistic financial goals
The first thing to do is have a discussion around how much you want to spend and who is going to pay for the wedding. Look at your finances and decide how much you can afford to spend on a wedding and talk to your family members to see if they are willing to contribute. Start researching venues and vendor services in the areas you want to get married to see what things cost. Once you get an idea of price ranges you can then start to determine where you want your money to go. This is when you can start to prioritize your spending, which is next on the list!
2. Prioritize your spending
The next thing you’ll want to do is prioritize your spending. This means deciding what services are the most important to you. If the venue is the most important aspect of the wedding for you, that should be at the top of your list. You may also decide you want to spend more money on food or photography so allocate more money going to those vendors, and less on other details that are not as important to you. Everyone’s lists are going to be different since all couples have different priorities and varying levels of income. Have a financial goal in mind and determine how what the maximum amount is that you want to spend for each category.
3. Get quotes
Once you have researched your vendors, create a list of the ones you want to contact for quotes. Asking for a quote is going to be the best way for you to see what vendors are charging for their services, products, time, labor, as well as delivery and setup fees. When you have a few quotes for the same type of service you can compare them to see which one works best for you and your financial situation. Also, I don’t recommend deciding to hire a vendor on price alone. Price is just one factor. It’s also important to feel confident in your choices and like the vendors you are going to be working with. Make sure they are a reputable businesses that will be able to provide you with a certain level of expertise to ensure you have a successful wedding day.
4. Limit stationary and print materials
Custom printed invitations, save the dates, and engagement announcements all can add up quickly. Not only do you pay for the design and printing, you also have to pay for the labels, stamps and envelopes to mail them. One way to avoid these extra fees is to create digital invitations through websites like Green Envelope, Paperless Post, Zazzle, or Etsy where you can easily customize your designs and download the files to your computer where you can then email them to your guests. You can also use websites such as Zola, Minted, or Bliss and Bone to create a custom wedding website listing all the important wedding details such as date, location and time, as well as track your guest list and RSVPs all while saving money and trees!
5. Choose a different day or season
A wedding venue can sometimes be one of the most expensive elements of a wedding. Many venues charge less for a wedding held during the week such as a Thursday or Sunday, as Saturdays are the most popular days. The time of year can also be a factor in what a venue charges. Certain months of the year where the weather is warmer tend to be more popular, especially for outdoor weddings. Think about having a wedding earlier in the year such as February or March or later, in November or December. Choosing a less popular day of the week or time of year can sometimes save you thousands of dollars which you can then spend on your honeymoon!
Where have you been able to save and cut costs?
Let us know in the comments!
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