Planning your wedding is an incredibly exciting and enjoyable time. As a wedding planning company, we strive to make that process as effortless and stress free as possible for all our clients. One of the major hurdles we encounter when creating and planning the perfect wedding, is the budget. Having a realistic and affordable budget as you dive into planning your wedding will not only make the process go smoother and quicker, but will allow you to focus on other tasks and enjoy your engagement. In this blog we will discuss major budget points, suggest cost cuts and provide money saving tips that we hope you find useful when creating your wedding budget.
Let's start with the big stuff. The venue. The photographer. The food and drinks. The dress. These 4 items are usually the most expensive purchases, but are arguably the most important details, so the money will be well spent. All-inclusive venues are an option if you're wanting everything all from the same place and don't want to search around for outside vendors. The photographer is also something clients tend to splurge on, which is definitely worth it for making those memories last. Depending on the size of your guest list, food/drinks can be spendy too. The type of menu you choose will dictate how much to budget for catering. Are you doing appetizers? Drinks? A five-course meal? And then, of course, there's the dress. It's just something most women have dreamt about since they were babies, so price tags usually don't stop the bride from buying her perfect dress.
You also have to think about the less expensive items such as the invitations, cake/desserts, decorations, party favors, florals, bride and groom clothing and accessories, rings. And, if you don't choose that all-inclusive venue, you'll need to add the linen rentals and music to your list as well. All those smaller details that are also very important tend to add up quickly.
Now here are a few options if you're wanting alternatives to help cut costs. Maybe consider online or evite invitations to save money on purchasing and postage for invitations. Provide all the non-alcoholic beverages but offer alcoholic beverages for those who want to pay for it. Keep the decorations and florals simple and buy in bulk to use in the bouquets/boutonnieres, table centerpieces and aisle and arbor décor. And maybe opt out of the photo booth, but create a fun and catchy hashtag and have your guests use that to keep all those photos together. All of these ideas can help you create the ceremony and reception you want while still staying within your budget.
It's your money and your day and we want to make your experience the best possible. And even though there is a lot that goes into planning a wedding, there are many ways, tips and tricks to help make your dream wedding come true without completely breaking the bank. Because once the wedding is over, comes the honeymoon and that's a whole other expense worth every penny!
Jubilee Weddings and Events