Television shows and news stories create the idea that more expensive is better. Actually, more expensive is often worse. A wedding that is focused on being the most expensive generally reflects people who are insecure. The expense of the wedding is used to prove their value to their friends and the people they believe are looking at them. Whose looking at you? On your wedding day the most important person looking at you is your future marriage partner. Your partner doesn’t want to enter the marriage swamped in bridal debt. Your partner wants to marry you!
The idea that a wedding should be beautiful, spiritual and a celebration and bringing together of two families is a good idea, but it doesn’t need to be super expensive. New couples often experience large expenses in the first few years of their marriage that can cause considerable stress on the relationship. Reducing these stresses is one of the gifts you can give to your own marriage. The trick to creating a lovely, inexpensive wedding is by creating a reasonable budget and sticking with it.
Evaluate your savings and your partner’s savings. Be realistic. How much money do you earn each month? How much extra money do you have to invest in your wedding event? Ask your parents or family if they can contribute toward the wedding. Remember that the economy has made finances difficult for many families and extra funds may not be available. Combine your numbers and determine a reasonable budget within your means. Do not plan on placing wedding costs on credit cards or you will bring a debt hardship into your marriage that can last for up to ten years.
The largest expense in most weddings is the reception dinner after the ceremony. This will often take up between half and three-quarters of your entire budget. If you decide you can afford a $5000 wedding, you have $2500 to spend on a location and food. This means that you reduce your guest list to match this amount per plate plus venue. By starting with the big items you will quickly see where you must make choices.
Often friends and family will volunteer to help you make discount decorations for the event. Accept their assistance and arrange your wedding with enough time to save up money for your wedding and for time to construct the decor. If a part of the wedding is stressful – let it go. Your objective is to be married to the person you love and to have a lovely party for your closest friends and family. Stay focused. What you really want is a good marital start. Making a wedding more intimate is often more emotional and memorable. Going small allows you more money per guest without creating debt.
People may question your budget and your decision for a small wedding. Be firm. Be open about staying with a strict budget and deciding to keep your event small. Send a marriage announcement after the wedding to those you could not invite. Let them know you care about them and that you limited your wedding to a very short list. Include a wedding photo and a note about starting your marriage free of debt. People understand. It’s your marriage that is important.
