Many of us dream of having a lavish wedding surrounded by friends and family, but seem to think it’s impossible when on a budget. In reality, there are plenty of ways of holding the ceremony of your dreams without sending yourself into financial ruin. Dramatic? Maybe, but fairytale weddings can be expensive. Don’t think you’ve got to blow your budget to achieve your dreams, just follow our tips and you’ll have the perfect wedding without the expense.
DIY Decor
The price of wedding favours, decorations and centrepieces add up very quickly; if you’re not careful, they can take a huge chunk out of your budget. Instead of paying out for glitzy decor, try adding a personal touch by getting stuck into some DIY. Buzzfeed has a list of 37 pieces of wedding decor that you can make yourself, proving that a lavish looking wedding doesn’t have to come at a huge expense.
Have a back-up plan
Unexpected costs can pop out from nowhere and leave you in a sticky situation – especially if you can’t cancel the things you’ve already booked without losing money. While you can’t always predict these costs, you can prepare for them by coming up with a back-up plan in case of financial emergencies. Keep a savings buffer in place, consider taking out an interest-free credit card to cover the costs or have a short-term lender in mind, if you need cash straight away. Doing so gives you the chance to pay the money back gradually, so it’s not such a dent in your budget straight away. Just make sure you leave this for a genuine emergency and not to top up your wedding budget!
Don’t go crazy with the hen-do
It appears that everyone is going abroad for their hen-do and stag-dos, but this can be an unnecessary cost for everyone involved. Not only does it take up a huge chunk of your wedding budget, but it can also leave guests feeling under pressure to pay out even if they can’t afford it. Instead of expecting everyone to splash the cash, check out the latest deals on spa days, host a bake-off at home or explore a new city. If you do need accommodation, Airbnb is usually significantly cheaper than getting a hotel and has tons of central apartments, perfect for a weekend away on a budget.
Reach out to friends
Know a friend of a friend who makes the most delicious cakes? A cousin in a band? Make the most out of your network’s talent by seeing how they can get involved in the wedding for free or on mates’ rates. You’d be surprised at just how many people have a secret skill or undiscovered talent that can come in handy. Whether you’re looking for live music or someone to help out with photography, reaching out to those close to you can really help cut costs.
Upgrade a cheap location
It may be tempting to get a luxurious venue, but it’s far cheaper to start with a blank canvas and use your DIY decorations to jazz it up. This allows you to continue putting your own mark on the day, resulting in a truly unique wedding. You don’t need an expensive hotel when there are plenty of budget-friendly ways of transforming a cheaper venue, such as a community hall or even your back garden, into a luxuriously lavish wedding – your friends won’t know the difference!