5 Ways To Cut Back On Wedding Costs

Money is a touchy subject and arguments about financials is high on the list of fights among married couples. Starting a marriage with a strong financial foundation is one of the most important things a new couple can do to insure a long and happy marriage, and getting into excessive debt before the marriage has even begun is a really bad idea. Besides buying a home, one of the largest expenses facing couples today is the cost of their wedding. In this article, we are going to share some tips with you that can help you have the wedding of your dreams while still saving money.

1. Guest List
Most experts agree that cutting the guest list is one of the number one ways to make a wedding less expensive. An intimate family wedding is usually one of the most cost effective ways to go, but if you want to make a splash and share it with many people then prioritize. Invite close friends and family members, but make a decision on where to draw the line. An easy way to do this (and avoid hurt feelings) is by not inviting groups, such as everyone from work or your church group. By cutting out an entire group, you bypass the minefield of having to pick and choose whom to invite.

2. DIY Wedding Invitations
With modern technology today, you can make your own printable wedding invitations and no one will even know the difference. Also, cut back on the extra “fluff”: do you really need gold lined envelopes and blotter paper? You can also save on postage by having guests RSVP online instead of including a card with pre-paid postage in the envelope.

3. The Ceremony
Get creative. Find a free location for your wedding. Some churches do not charge members for wedding ceremonies, and you can also have a free or low cost wedding at parks and other outdoor locations. For beach weddings, you may be charged a small fee, but often it’s free. Just make sure you contact the local parks department well ahead of time and find out their rules and requirements. If you have a close friend or family member who has a fabulous yard or home, they may let you have the ceremony and/or reception there.

4. Get Friends And Family Involved
When it comes to wedding  decorations, wedding favors, and refreshments, don’t hesitate to ask others for help. You never know who will have access to discounts for items you may need for your wedding. You can also enlist the help of friends and family to assemble wholesale flower arrangements, wedding favors, centerpieces, etc.

5. Find The Best Discounts And Deals
Don’t buy anything without doing at least a bit of research first. Browse the Internet to find the best deals on your wedding supplies. Check out online auction houses and wholesale discounters. You can often rent decorations (and even gowns) for a fraction of the cost of purchasing them. If you have your heart set on buying a dress, shop sample sales or consider a used gown. Don’t be afraid to bargain with vendors – you’d be surprised at how often you can get a discount on an item just by asking for it.

Having a fabulous wedding can definitely be affordable. You just have to have the discipline to plan it within your budget. Be creative and persistent, ask for help, and when costs threaten to get out of hand, remember that it’s one single day out of your entire life. If the bargain church decorations are a shade of pink that is not exactly what you had wanted, using them anyway will not ruin your life, or even your wedding day. And, trust me; you’ll appreciate that extra cash in the bank when you want to splurge on a 5-course gourmet dinner or sunset sail on your honeymoon.