Congratulations, you’re engaged! Here comes the fun part: planning the wedding. Then the not so fun part: paying for it. Did you know that the average wedding costs $25,000? Yikes! You can still have a beautiful ceremony even if you don’t have tens of thousands of dollars lying around. Read on to see how you can cut costs on some of the pricier expenses.
Average cost of a wedding gown: $1,300
Instead of spending hundreds or even thousands on a brand new gown, you can save a lot by renting your wedding dress. Rental prices start at just under $100 and the dress is shipped to you shortly before the wedding. If you don’t want to part with your dream dress, look into buying online or pre-owned. Unlike a rental gown, a pre-owned gown has probably been worn only once and you can alter it as needed. Websites like ModCloth have a variety of styles ranging from retro to modern, and you can always have a custom dress made overseas. If all else fails, try shopping at a retailer instead of a bridal boutique. You might find a gorgeous dress for around $200—expensive for formal wear, but a bargain compared to a designer wedding gown.
Do you want to pay $2,000 for a wedding planner?
Probably not. You might want to consider hiring a planner if you have an astonishingly busy work schedule or you don’t want to be saddled with additional stress. Otherwise, take advantage of free online resources (Pinterest is your friend). Hands-on bridesmaids and groomsmen can also lend a hand. Remember not to take them for granted! You might want to spend a little on a thank-you dinner.
Where and when will you say “I Do?”
If you’re interested in an outdoor wedding, you can always pretty-up your backyard. A little DIY can go a long way. The price of a venue will vary across the country, but they typically start at around $1,000 and only go up from there. You’d be surprised at how much those seemingly effortless rustic-chic venues can cost you! Unless you’re absolutely set on a specific date, you might want to be flexible. Weekend reservations will cost more than a work-week event. Some venues may charge you a thousand more just to have your wedding on a Saturday instead of a Friday!
Don’t serve a 5-star dinner.
The average amount spent on food or refreshments per guest is $66 a plate. The catering bill can add up quickly, especially if you have an open bar. To help keep that budget in check, serve hors d'oeuvres or dessert instead of a full meal. Alcohol is expensive enough as it is; many couples choose to have a “dry” wedding and save themselves a thousand or so. Of course, if your best friend can give you a discount on drinks, take him up on his offer.
Use an online registry and call in favors.
Don’t be afraid to ask your friends to help. Tap into your social network and take advantage of people’s hidden talents or their resources; an online registry like Zola allow guests to make monetary donations to cover your honeymoon or catering costs. An online registry weill also help you to keep track of all of your gits. It’s also a good idea to involve the family. While your wedding is a celebration of you and your partner’s love, it’s also very much about your families. Spend a day with your siblings making those adorable wedding favors you discovered on Pinterest. Visit your grandmother and bake cake pops for the reception. Not only will you accomplish a lot, but your relatives will appreciate the bonding time.
There are some expenses you just don’t skimp on.
When it comes to a photographer or videographer, it may be wise to eat the cost and pay the professional price. Hiring a talented friend or a photography student can save you quite a bit, but you should hold them to the same standard of quality that you would anyone else. Be sure to hire them on the basis of their skills, not on the strength of your friendship. When your memories of the big day fade over time, you wouldn’t want an album of poorly lit or unflattering pictures to look back on.
