By: Naomi Shaw
Budget wedding. It sounds like a complete contradiction, doesn’t it? Most of us grow up picturing our wedding being this massive fairytale affair. The dress! The perfect flowers! The venue! The food! Maybe there were rose petals falling from the sky in the imaginative account of your wedding. What none of us thought about when we envisioned our picture-perfect scenario was the money…because mom and dad pay, right? Yeah…not always. And sometimes our parents are strapped from college bills. Or life.
Money isn’t bottomless, and so are very few budgets. This is why budget weddings aren’t a contradiction, but very much a reality. And, no, they don’t mean a wedding less than you imagined. Budget weddings are gorgeous and perfect. The best part is they don’t leave you broke…or broken by the financial obligations.
According to The Knot, the average wedding costs more than $33,000. That’s a down-payment on a house! Not every couple spends this much…the figure is an average. But that average also means some couples spent much more. With so many waiting until they are older to tie the knot, the cost of the event sometimes shifts to the bride and groom. Or, again, parents may be paying but are financially drained from paying college bills.
Budget weddings obviously need to be financially feasible without sacrificing beauty or sentiment. And a budget wedding means something different to every couple. So what’s the budget–$5,000 or $10,000? Maybe it’s less. While one article cannot look at every single budget and map out where and how to plan the most ideal event, there are a few tips that pocket-conscious couples can use to guide them in planning an inexpensive affair.
Let’s slash those costs! Here’s your guide to a wedding on a budget!
Flower Fanatics
Floral arrangements can hit your budget hard. Roses? Those can be pricey. Flowers everywhere? You might want to rethink that idea! Real flowers can be costly. However, you can keep costs in check by opting for in-season arrangements and keeping the floral décor to an absolute minimum. Instead of flowers on reception tables, you can use feathers in the wedding hues or even plants. Paper flowers also are en vogue and you can DIY beautiful paper bouquets. Some couples design their own bouquets using silk flowers from craft stores.
Off the Rack
A designer wedding dress can cost thousands of dollars. If you want to trim your budget, you can try shopping off the rack for your dress. Check out sample sales at local boutiques. You may even find a beautiful white dress at a department store that can be worn as a wedding gown. Some thrift stores also sell second-hand wedding gowns…some are even vintage!
The Guest List
One of the easiest ways to accommodate a tight budget is to cut the guest list. If you want to spend more money on flowers, the dress or dinner, consider limiting your invite list to close family and friends. Lots of weddings are intimate affairs, and a less crowded audience often makes the ceremony feel much more personal…for the couple and the guests.
Comfort Foods
You don’t have to serve steak and expensive seafood as your entrée. We can work with you to help find a menu that pleases your budget and your taste buds. Our Executive Chef, Rob Beasley, oversees all food operations between our award-winning Grapevine Grill restaurant and all events, so we can promise that your guests will not be disappointed with whatever menu you choose. In fact, food is one of the top 3 most common things Chaumette couples mention in their reviews!
Dance Party
To save money on entertainment, hire a friend to serve as the deejay. A local band also may be an option for wedding music. Or hook up an mp3 player and include hours of your favorite music for the reception.
Every couple’s budget is different. However, a smaller spending limit doesn’t relegate you to a less than ideal wedding. Cut the guest list, DIY some details and find other ways to save money. Sit down and discuss what areas of the wedding mean most to you—this may be the areas you wish to focus more of your budget. Then outline the areas that you can easily cut or do yourself. No matter what budget you have, your wedding can—and will—be your vision of perfection!