7 Ways to Save Money While Planning Your Wedding
A budget is integral to planning a wedding. However, it’s only once you start selecting venues and vendors that you realize just how expensive a wedding can get.
The good news is there are ways to save on wedding costs, ensuring you can stick to your budget and avoid unnecessary debt.
We’ve put together a few tips that will help you plan your dream wedding at a cost that works for you.
Consider an Off-Peak Wedding
Many venues and vendors drop their cost during off-peak periods, so you may want to consider an off-peak date for your big day. Weddings are less popular in winter, so decide if you could see yourself getting hitched during the colder months. Another option is to have your wedding on a weekday, which generally also results in lower venue and vendor costs.
Get Rid of the Nice-to-Haves
When planning a wedding, there is always going to be a list of must-haves and a list of things you would like to have. If you’re finding that you’re quickly reaching your budget limits, it’s time to start getting rid of those nice-to-haves. Even though this isn’t ideal, try and bring your focus back to the significance of the day and what truly matters.
One Entrée is Enough
You might love the idea of providing your guests with a selection of entrees, but one really is enough. Food costs can skyrocket really quickly, so if you want to stick to your budget, rather choose one delicious entrée instead of a few. The only time you need to consider more than one is if some of your guests are vegan or vegetarian.
Opt for In-Season Flowers
It can be tricky to decide on flowers for your big day, but if you’re on a tight budget, rather stick to blooms that are in season all year round. This includes lilies, roses, baby’s breath, greenery, gardenias, and carnations. This might also mean that you’ll need to be open to new wedding décor ideas and styles.
Keep the Guest List Small
You may already have a much smaller guest list due to the pandemic, but if your budget seems to be shrinking at a rapid pace, you may want to cut down even further. It’s not ideal to have to cut guests out of your wedding, but if it means staying out of debt, it’s well worth it.
Limit the Bar
Alcohol can be one of the biggest wedding expenses, so keep an eye on how generous your bar tab is. For couples on a budget, why not stick to one signature cocktail as well as some wine and beer. This way, your guests can still enjoy alcohol and your budget remains in place.
Get Married Out of Town
Believe it or not, sometimes all-inclusive destination weddings can really save on costs. Destinations such as the Caribbean or Mexico are popular choices amongst couples on a budget. What’s more, having a destination wedding means you don’t necessarily need to travel anywhere new for your honeymoon.
When it comes to planning a wedding, try not to sweat the small stuff. It is possible to have a beautiful wedding, regardless of how big (or small) your budget is.
The Father-Daughter Wedding Photos Brides Shouldn’t Miss Out On
There is nothing quite as heart-warming as the connection between a father and a daughter, especially on her wedding day. There are so many moments throughout your wedding day that involve your dad, but there is a handful that should definitely be on your shot list.
- The first look. Capturing your father’s reaction to seeing you in your dress for the first time is a must. If there is one father daughter photo to add to your list, it’s this one.
- The post-look portrait. After your photographer captures your father’s natural reaction to your dress, pose for a portrait with him. This can be a really moving and emotional portrait that you can treasure forever.
- The hand kiss. You will always be your dad’s little princess, so grab a shot of your father holding and kissing your hand before he gives you away.
- The embrace. Another option is to capture a warm embrace with your dad. This is another shot that you can treasure for years to come.
- The tie. To involve your dad in more photos during the getting-ready process, grab a few shots of you tying his tie or bowtie for him.
- The walk down the aisle. This must-have shot is always beautiful. Not only does it capture this moment with your father but the emotions you feel as he guides you down the aisle towards your partner. You should also definitely get a shot of your dad lifting your veil, if you decide to have one.
- The dance. Lastly, if you’re planning to dance with your dad, make sure your photographer knows to capture this moment.
If your dad is one of the most important people in your life, speak to your photographer about other photo ideas for your big day.
