Navigating your wedding must haves to keep within your budget
Oct 12, 2024
Wedding planning can be overwhelming. You are, in essence, throwing a festival for all your family and friends to celebrate the beginning of your next chapter. Deciding what aspects are most important can help keep costs down, while still having the look and feel of your overall wedding day vision.
Start by creating a priority list. Put on paper or in a file the list of all the items you want to represent your day - examples are:
The Location - a venue or backyard
Wedding Planning - DIY, friend/family help, or professional assistance
The Dress & Tux
Are you going to have a wedding party of Bridesmaids and Groomsmen
Catering - full meal, appetizers, entrées, salads, sides, snacks
The Pastries - tier cake, cutting cake, cupcakes, bitesize options
Alcoholic Beverages - beer, wine, signature cocktails, full bar
Non-Alcoholic Beverages - coffee & tea, iced tea, soda, juices, flavored waters
Photography - engagement photos, ceremony and family, reception, how many hours
Hair and Makeup - DIY or professional
Music - professional DJ/MC or digital playlist on a subscribed network
A Band - wired or acoustic, or no band at all
The Officiant - spiritual or religious
Transportation - shuttles or guests drive
Restrooms - does the venue have facilities or do you need to rent
Event Insurance - do you need it
Honeymoon - jet away immediately or wait
Once you have a list of priorities set, then price out multiple vendors to ensure you are getting the best price and also the service you desire. Check references to make sure they are credible. Read the fine print and triple-check the timeline of delivery. Keep a spreadsheet of prices and have your budget listed first so each item is deducted from the total to ensure you aren't overspending.
Remember you are buying dinner for every guest you invite, and not just dinner - dinner, drinks, and entertainment. Weddings are a big affair, but a great way to cut down on your guest list is by asking, "Would I buy you dinner?" If the answer is no, scratch the name off the list. You can get together at a later time to celebrate, but it doesn't have to be on your wedding day.
Catering tends to be the most expensive component of the wedding day event. Ways to cut costs on the food bill are - deciding a full meal is not necessary. Having an evening ceremony, followed by a cake and champagne reception is a fun way to include more people, but not pay a hefty dining bill. Or create a menu that is a lighter option, like a soup/salad/sandwich menu; your guests are there to be with you, not necessarily for the meal. Having a light bite option can also reduce your cost.
Cake doesn't have to be a big ordeal if that isn't high on your list. You can have a small cutting cake for the tradition and then offer cupcakes, small bites, or even purchase sheet cakes for your guests. Again, they aren't there for the cake, it's just part of the festivities.
Flowers can be simple. Minimizing flowers for tables creates an elegant look without a big expense. Wholesale flowers for bud vases and laying greenery on tables are beautiful and not costly; prioritize your bouquet from a professional if you love flowers, but don't go crazy to decorate the whole event.
The bottom line is creating your day, how you envisioned it your entire life, can be done without going into debt - because debt is the last thing you want to do to start your lives together. Be realistic, be flexible, and be open to shifting priorities for the overall day you desire. You have a lifetime to create amazing memories, let this be the first day of the rest of your lives.