Congratulations! You’re engaged and ready to plan the most important day of your life. The only problem is that you’re not sure how you’ll be able to afford a wedding. No worries, we’ve got 11 ways for you to pay for it without going broke in the process. They are not listed in any particular order but may be useful at different points throughout planning a wedding.
11 Ways to Cover Your Wedding Expenses Without Breaking the Bank
- Have a smaller wedding ceremony with close friends and family members instead of inviting everyone you know
As you’re preparing for your wedding ceremony, think about the type of relationship or friendship that was formed with a person. Consider inviting close friends and family members who have really helped shape what kind of individual you became in life. This will make the special day even more memorable!
A smaller wedding can be just as fun and meaningful to share with those closest to us on this amazing journey called marriage.
- Consider having an elopement or have an intimate ceremony
Do not let costliness get in the way of what you want. Consider having an elopement or having a small intimate ceremony to tie the knot and honor that special someone who completes your life with joy, happiness, love & laughter!
- Have your reception at home instead of renting out a restaurant
Don’t stress over the cost of your big day and save some money by having a reception at home. You don’t need a restaurant!
A lot of people don’t want to deal with rentals so setting up everything at their house helps them relax knowing they won’t need someone else’s equipment used for their special day – not only will they be saving money but also time since there’s no worrying about where things are supposed to go.
You could also have the reception at your parent’s home or where you grew up and use their backyard for less stress on yourself while still getting that “homey” feeling with some familiar faces around.
- Find free or cheap venues to hold the ceremony and reception
If having the reception at someone’s backyard is not possible, there are plenty of other places that offer free or very cheap venues to hold the ceremony and reception.
Some churches will allow you to have a wedding there for a small donation, which may also include some cake as well!
If you don’t want the religious aspect in your day then consider having an outdoor party at one of many parks around town (or go outside during warmer months) – most public spaces provide space for no cost if it’s not too busy.
Meet with people who live nearby before deciding so they can give their input about noise levels and how parking might work out since those are usually big considerations when hosting somewhere new.
- Ask for cash gifts instead of presents
If you want to avoid going into debt for your wedding, try asking the guests for cash gifts instead of presents. If you can’t find the time to ask, then a letter or email may be an option. You can also mention it on your invitations.
The best way to ask for cash gifts is not to tell them what you want, but rather why you’re asking the favor – something like “If there were anything we could do for our wedding day that would be meaningful and memorable, I think it would be this.” Also, mention any details about budget restrictions. This may feel weird at first, but with practice, most people can have these conversations naturally without feeling embarrassed or awkward.
- Make your own cake or cupcakes instead of buying them from a bakery
Ditch the cash-strapped bakery and make your own wedding cake! You’ll save money while scoring points for originality.
To avoid spending a fortune on wedding cakes that will be demolished in two hours flat, ditch the idea of hiring someone else to do it all. Instead, arm yourself with recipe books or YouTube tutorials from renowned pastry chefs like Duff Goldman and Christina Tosi before deciding what kind of cake best reflects your style!
This is an easy way to save cash on your big day and still be able to enjoy dessert at the reception with ease. There’s no need to overpay for pre-made cakes.
- Create your own invitations and save on printing costs
You’re on your way to a successful wedding! The first step in preparing for your wedding is getting ready financially. To do so without breaking the bank, try making custom invitations with online sites like Canva. This is a great way to save on the cost of invitations. You can upload your own photo, add custom text and typography, or use their existing design templates that will suit any occasion!
Ordering invites through an online site like Etsy also allows you to order in bulk which often saves more money than buying them at a store where they’re sold individually.
- Get married in the off-season when prices are lower
If you want to save money on a wedding, then get married in the off-season. The best time of year for weddings is the off-season when prices are lower and there’s less competition from other couples who want venues that may already be booked up during peak season.
Starting in September, hotels offer discounts on their rates which should make your pockets happy.
The best season for a wedding isn’t always clear cut but there are certain advantages to getting hitched during an “off” period – like lower airfare prices or much more affordable resorts that don’t have big crowds yet!
- Ask friends and family to help with planning and cost
Do you want to save money on your wedding? Ask friends and family for help! I found that getting input from people who will be attending the event made it more meaningful than anything else.
When you’re planning a wedding, it’s helpful to ask friends and family for help. Not only will they likely save time by providing input on venues or the invitations, but their contributions may also lower costs. They are often hesitant to contribute financially, but if they do so, it can help reduce the costs that may otherwise be passed onto guests.
- Create DIY decorations using things from around the house like old books, flowers, and candles
There is no need to pay for expensive wedding decorations when you can make your own with items from around the house. Old books, flowers, and candles all work as great DIY ingredients. You’ll be surprised by how easy it is!
Old books can be used for the invitation display or to create a backdrop for some photos.
Flowers and candles can be used as place card holders, centerpieces, or favors.
These are just some of the many ways you create DIY wedding decorations without compromising on creativity.
- Serve food from home so you don’t have to worry about catering costs
When you want to save money on a wedding, it can help if the food is from your home. You won’t have to worry about catering costs and will be able to spend more of your budget elsewhere.
For couples who have fallen in love cooking together at home, preparing meals for friends or family is one luxury that will never go out of style. But if there’s anything more romantic than cooking by candlelight on Valentine’s Day evening while sharing stories over a bottle of red wine… it might just be serving up plates full o’ homemade goodness during your big day too!
When you think about it, weddings are a really expensive event. It is not uncommon for people to spend tens of thousands on the perfect wedding day. Sure, that sounds like a lot but there are ways for you to pay for your wedding without going broke in the process.
Say yes to these helpful suggestions for keeping your spending in check while still having an unforgettable day.
