How to Plan an Affordable Wedding

Receiving USA Today updates on our iPhones that say the economy is doing better doesn’t necessarily mean the positive financial news is reflected in everyone’s bank accounts. Planning a wedding should be such a joyous time, but it can certainly add a lot of stress to the fiscally challenged. According to WeddingChannel.com’s 2012 “Real Weddings Survey,”the average cost of an American wedding is $28,427. That’s quite a bill to foot! However, there are ways to cut costs and plan a budget-friendly wedding. How do you do that? Follow this guide.

1. Don’t budge it. Perhaps one of the most important things to do when you plan a budget-friendly wedding is to create your budget with your partner and stick to it. Do this before you purchase anything. Also talk to each other about the one or two things that mean the most to you on your big day. If you stick to those must-haves and abide by your budget, no matter what that figure is, you won’t have an issue with overspending.

2. Make some cuts. The best way to cut wedding costs is to whittle down the guest list to the people who you just couldn’t get married without them being there. Do you need to invite those distant cousins just because they’re family? No. Do you need to invite all of your work colleagues? No. Do you need to invite the close friends of your parents? No. You’ll have a better event if you invite fewer folks rather than cutting corners on services and elements that you love. Cutting the guest list means you’ll save on everything from flowers to rentals (like tables) to food and drink.

3. DIY wedding programs, place cards and menus. We’re not talking Martha Stewart DIY here — that crafty-from-scratch business isn’t for everyone! Instead of hiring a calligrapher or getting custom paper products from Etsy, which can get quite costly, choose paper items for your ceremony and reception that you can affordably customize yourself online. Look out for sales or free shipping opportunities at your favorite online retailer to shave off some extra dollars as well. (Hint: Sign up for your favorite site’s email list. This puts you first in line for special offers and wedding ideas.)

4. Ease up on rentals. Renting items can add up fast. Try to select a wedding venue that already has the basics in place, like tables and chairs, and then limit over-the-top items. Do you really need those antique vases for your centerpieces? Pick and choose wisely.

5. Time it well. For one, don’t choose a holiday weekend for your wedding. All aspects of it will be more expensive for you and also your guests. To cut venue costs, look at a Friday evening or Sunday wedding. Saturdays are clearly the choice days for weddings, but the off-peak days before and after will be cheaper.

6. Look into alternative formats. There’s no rulebook that says you have to have an afternoon to evening ceremony and reception. You can save some big bucks by thinking outside of the box. For example, you could have a mid-afternoon ceremony followed by a cocktail hour with small bites and forgo the expense of a big dinner. Or, you could have a morning ceremony followed by a yummy brunch. Your guests will support you in your choices, no matter if they are traditional or untraditional. And if mom’s appalled at the thought, then add up the savings for her and she’ll see the light.

7. Register for your honeymoon. There’s a chance you already have all the kitchen and bath supplies you need. These days, more couples are living together before marriage than ever before and may have gone ahead and purchased the home goods. Instead of a traditional registry, you can register for a honeymoon and shave that hefty line item off of your wedding budget. Honeyfund is one option that was created by a bride and groom who created their own honeymoon registry page just eight years ago.

How did you save on your wedding? Post it on our 123Print Facebook page, tweet us @123Print, or write a note below to share your great tips!