Wedding prices are skyrocketing, which is why some couples put off getting married or else go into debt to pay for their wedding. However, the happiest day of your life should not bankrupt you or leave you with unpleasant memories. You should look back and remember it for all the right reasons, not because you are still paying off wedding day debt years after your special day. Here are some quick and easy ways to plan a wedding on a budget of $500 or less.
Set a Realistic Timeline
Once you are engaged, one of the first things you will want to do is sit down with your fiancé(e) and set a date for your wedding. Set a realistic timeline. Remember that you will need to book wedding and reception venues ahead of time, so keep that in mind. Allowing at least 6 months or more will also allow you to shop around for the most affordable deals.
A package deal can also help you to keep costs low, especially if you are planning a small wedding with immediate family and friends present only. Shop around and do not be afraid to ask for special deals for your wedding.
Cut the Frills
Do you really need a wedding planner, half a dozen bridesmaids or an expensive wedding venue? Society wants you to think that you will somehow be “missing out” if you do not stage an elaborate wedding. However, all of these frills will easily cut into your budget and leave you strapped when it comes to the essentials, such as your wedding dress, the groom’s suit and the reception.
If your parents live beside a beautiful secluded lake, why not ask if you can hold an outdoor-themed wedding reception on their property? This can save you a lot of money and you will also enjoy a more intimate gathering following the ceremony.
Ask for Wedding Services in Lieu of Gifts
While wedding gifts such as a toaster, bread maker and crockery make practical gifts for newlyweds who are just starting out together, planning a wedding can be hard when you are trying to keep within a budget wedding.
Now is the time to accept help when a friend, aunt or cousin asks if they can offer their professional services. If you have friends or family members who are hairdressers, florists, bakers or seamstresses, do not feel embarrassed to accept the offer of their professional services, especially if you do so in lieu of a traditional wedding gift.
Borrow, Hire and Raid Secondhand Shops
When it comes to bridal attire, such as the wedding dress and the groom’s suit, you could be looking at thousands of dollars right there. But if you are determined to keep within your $500 wedding day budget, you can easily trim the costs by borrowing or hiring your wedding day outfits. Many secondhand shops also stock good quality wedding day attire that will not leave you out of pocket.
A budget wedding does not have to be a “cheap” wedding. It can still be memorable and not because you are still drowning in wedding day debt years after you have said “I do”.
More from this contributor:
Should You Allow Your Bridesmaid to Do Your Wedding Day Hair and Make-up?
Tips for a Disaster-free Wedding Day
What to Avoid Saying to a Couple Who Choose Not to Have a Big, White Wedding
