Getting married? 10 tips to plan your wedding on a budget
If you're getting married, and want to avoid being in debt long after the honeymoon, here are some great tips to help you create a beautiful and memorable celebration without breaking the bank.
1. Set a realistic wedding budget
To effectively manage your wedding expenses, the first step is to determine a budget based on what you can afford. Decide which wedding elements are the most important to you (such as the venue, catering, flowers, and wedding dress) and allocate a more significant portion of your budget to those areas. This will help ensure your wedding planning stays within your financial means while allowing you to prioritise what matters most.
2. Create the guest list
Limiting the guest list can significantly reduce venue and catering-related costs. Inviting only close family and friends can minimise the impact on your budget.
3. Select the wedding venue
Wedding venues can be expensive, but more affordable options are available if you think creatively. You could consider using the beautiful backyard of a friend or hosting the ceremony in a botanical garden, a beach or a park setting. These options can provide an ideal backdrop for your special day without breaking the bank.
4. DIY decorations
Decorating your wedding venue with flowers, foliage, ribbons, and trinkets can be expensive. However, you can save a lot by taking the DIY route. Use affordable materials like scented candles, string lights, and inexpensive flowers to make your decorations. You can even purchase budget-friendly decor items from your local discount store to create a beautiful ambience. If you plan ahead, you can also plant various wedding flowers in your garden so they'll be ready in time for the big day.
5. Use your network
Don't hesitate to ask for help from your friends and family when planning your wedding. Someone you know might have a talent for baking, photography, or makeup artistry and may be willing to offer their services as a wedding gift. You can also seek help from your network to assist with organising and planning your special day.
6. Save on the dress
Your wedding dress can be a significant expense, but some cost-effective alternatives are available. Consider exploring pre-loved dresses on Still White - Australia's largest second-hand wedding dress marketplace. Another option is to rent your wedding dress, especially if you're interested in designer choices like Dior or Dolce & Gabbana. All the Dresses is a great place to start, as they offer a vast range of dresses, bags and accessories for rent.
7. Manage the food and drinks
Wedding catering is often a significant expense, but there are ways to cut costs creatively. You could consider bringing your own beverages, hiring students for service, enlisting friends and family for homemade finger foods, exploring Asian supermarkets for pre-made canapés, hiring a food truck, or reinventing the wedding cake with a doughnut bar or cupcake station. And remember, there's no need for sit-down catering, especially if your wedding takes place at the beach or in a park.
8. Budget-friendly entertainment
You don't have to spend a lot of money on live entertainment or a DJ for your wedding. Instead, you can create your own wedding playlist and use a Bluetooth speaker to play it during and after the service. This way, you'll save heaps and have all the music that is special to you and your partner.
9. Go for affordable photography
Your wedding day is a unique occasion you'll cherish forever, and your photos help capture those precious memories. Choosing the right photographer is essential but can be expensive. You could consider hiring a professional photographer just for the ceremony and main event rather than the entire day to keep costs down. Another option is to use apps like WedShoots (available in the App Store and Google Play). With WedShoots, you can create an online album where guests can upload photos and videos, making it easy to collect and share all your special memories in one place.
10. Smart honeymoon planning
Book your honeymoon in advance to save money. Use sites like Luxury Escapes to explore various affordable options across the globe, including Australia. Another idea is to create a travel registry on EasyRegistry or Flight Centre. Once you've created your registry, share the site with your guests so they can contribute to the cost of your honeymoon as their wedding gift to you.
The last word
Having a beautiful and meaningful wedding doesn't have to be extravagant. By prioritising and making thoughtful choices, you can create a memorable celebration without breaking the bank.
But, if you are finding it challenging to cover the expenses for your wedding, we understand. Even with our helpful tips, weddings can be costly - that's why we offer financial assistance to help make your special day even more memorable. Look at our cash loans up to $5,000 to learn how quick and easy it is to borrow some extra funds. Once your loan is approved, the cash is usually in your bank account within a few hours - so you can get into wedding planning mode right now!