After the excitement from getting engaged settles, it’s time to start discussing the budget and planning your big day. You’ve probably seen a ton of wedding inspiration pictures or have watched a million videos on DIYing decorations, but how can you get your dream wedding with your realistic budget? We promise that it’s not impossible! With early preparation, planning, and patience, you can get the wedding of a lifetime!
Here are the secrets to getting your dream wedding on a budget.
Be Realistic
It’s easy to endlessly scroll on Pinterest, TikTok, and online magazines for inspiration, but it’s disheartening when you see how much everything in those photos and videos costs. It’s important that you set a realistic budget for your wedding so that you can begin planning on a good note.
It’s important not to compare yourself to others because comparison is the thief of joy, and you deserve to be happy during and after your planning process. Sit down with your partner and a wedding planner to discuss your budget and what you can do with it.
Discuss Your Must-Haves
Everyone has their dream wedding and the things they need to include in mind. The secret to getting your dream wedding is to lay out your must-haves before paying for anything. Whether that’s having a specific venue or providing a limitless bar, you and your partner need to have a discussion on the non-negotiables and include them in your budget.
Host a Micro Wedding
Sometimes your wedding total is so high due to the number of guests you have. You could have a more affordable wedding if you cut that number in half. We understand that having everyone you know and love at your wedding may seem desirable, but you can save money by having a micro wedding.
A micro wedding has less than 50 guests and can take place anywhere from a traditional venue to a national park or garden. They typically have a smaller reception to help you save money.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
Most of your wedding’s budget will go toward the venue, food, and decorations. You can get everything you want and more if you plan effectively and think of other ways to get your desired result. Save money on your floral design by getting flowers in season, or choose a more affordable catering option. You can also ask your friends to lend their talents to be your photographer, DJ, event planner, or caterer.
Find Other Ways To Fund Your Wedding
Budgeting and paying for a wedding can take a toll on your finances if you don’t have thousands of dollars to spend frivolously. However, there are other ways to fund your wedding and relieve the financial strain, from asking family members for help to starting a savings fund to opening a wedding loan. There are many pros to taking out a wedding loan if you want to ensure you can have your dream wedding without dishing hundreds of thousands of dollars out-of-pocket.
