Planning a Budget Wedding?

During the time that I spent writing BIG Weddings SUCK! one thing that kept coming up over and over again was the misconception that planning a budget wedding somehow means having to miss out! That really couldn’t be any further from the truth. With the growing number of all-inclusive wedding elopement packages out there today it is possible to achieve a dream wedding at a fraction of the usual cost!

Let’s dig a little deeper into planning a budget wedding.

Let’s Talk Wedding Costs!

The average cost of a wedding in the United States is now well over $25,000. In fact, in some of the larger cities, the cost can be much closer to $60,000-$90,000! I don’t know about you – but to me, that sounds like a lot of cash to put out at the beginning of your married life! It seems only natural that an increasing number of couples are choosing elopements and small weddings to save some money. As a good comparison, an all-inclusive elopement usually costs around $2500 saving you up to 90% on the cost of a traditional wedding.

Tips for Planning a Budget Wedding

So, it seems like a no-brainer – planning a budget wedding is certainly better than blowing your bank balance or going into debt on a big, traditional wedding. With that in mind, here are our tips for planning a budget wedding.

1. Think about what is really important to you as part of your wedding. If you are not particularly interested in flowers, then dropping those can cut a large sum from your budget. However, maybe you are adamant that you will not comprise on having a wedding cake! Make a list of your must-haves when drawing up your budget.
2. Decide on your budget and be strict with yourself when it comes to sticking to it! It is important to be realistic about how much you can afford and how much things cost. Look at package deals to save money.
3. Make use of all the resources you have available to you. Is your aunt a great seamstress? Maybe she can sew your wedding gown. Similarly, your baking mad sister could create a wedding cake. If friends and family can offer services at cost or as gifts you may be able to save money you will be able to spend elsewhere.
4. Look into midweek weddings. Vendors often have discounted rates midweek to encourage bookings at quiet times. This can make your budget stretch further!

If you want more tips like these to help plan your wedding on a small budget, then pick up your copy of my new book BIG Weddings SUCK! available now on Amazon!

By Dave Westfall, the Alternative Wedding Planner