Weddings can be outrageously expensive. In fact, nearly 50% of all couples will end up spending more on their celebration than they had originally budgeted for. Because you have likely never been married before, it can be difficult to accurately estimate the true cost of your wedding celebration. Everywhere you look, it seems like items are more expensive than planned. If you are a on a budget, the following wedding tips will get you the most for your money.
Set a budget
Although many couples go over their intended wedding budget, it is still important to set one. A budget forces you to consider every single cost. You should first set an amount for the entire celebration and then divide it into percentages. For example, figure out how much of your budget you want to go to your dress. This gives you an exact number to strive for when wedding shopping. It also requires that you choose the most important parts of the wedding to you and your spouse and allocate the highest percentage of the budget to those areas.
Pay in cash, when possible
Financing a wedding not only starts off your marriage in debt, but it also leads to higher spending. When you are paying for everything in cash, you are forced to consider what is important. You may choose not to spend that extra $200 for centerpieces. Paying in cash is one of the best ways to stick to a tight budget. With 50% of women saying that their wedding is more stressful than they imagined, it is important to make budget and planning cuts when possible.
Always go with rentals
Some couple may be tempted to purchase things, because the price seems better. However, it is also unlikely that you will ever use these items again. Take linens for wedding for example, it may only cost a couple dollars more per table linens for rent to purchase, but those extra dollars add up. After the wedding, you are left with linens for weddings that will sit in a box for many years. Even if another event comes up, you will have to pay to have those tables linens rentals professionally cleaned. In most cases, it makes more sense to rent linens rentals.
Know which decorating accessories make the most difference
There are endless options available when it comes to decorating your ceremony and reception area. Try not to get caught up in these options, as it can significantly increase your spending. You can avoid this by planning your decorations ahead of time. Have an idea of the look that you are attempting and only purchase decorative items that fit within this look. Also, know which decorating items are affordable, but make the most difference. Chair covers for weddings, for example, can drastically change the look of a room. When you rent linens for weddings, like chair cover rentals, you can usually cut down on your centerpiece costs. Linens for weddings also serve a dual purpose, acting as a decoration and also protecting the tables of the venue.
Spend more on entertainment
Some couples get caught up in the minimal aspects of the wedding. Think about all of the weddings that you have been to in your lifetime. What do you remember most about these weddings? Do you remember the music or the dessert? Do you remember the fun times that you had with your friends and family or do you remember what the wedding favor was? Most people remember your wedding by the amount of fun that they had. Keep this in mind as you plan your wedding and always choose to spend more on memorable aspects, like the DJ and the social interaction possibilities.
Weddings are a billion dollar industry in the United States. Each weekend an average of 44,230 weddings take place. Planning your own wedding can become overwhelming because of the high costs. However, if you remember to set a budget, pay in cash when possible, always go with rentals like linens for weddings, and know which decorating tips are most important, you can cut a good amount of costs off your final wedding planning bill.
