Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Latest Posts

How To Keep Your Wedding Cheap

Suits Dont Need To Be Special

Wedding Budget Tips | How to Keep Your Wedding Cost Down

The groom doesnt really need a tux or something specially made. Honestly, he might even have a nice suit already in his closet that may just need to be altered to fit better.

Of course, dont do what my husband did, which was getting his suit jacket and shoes on the morning of our wedding.

Try shopping around at simple department stores Macys or JC Penney.

Our Menus According To Current Packages

We cater according to our clients tastes and needs and pride ourselves on our menu options which range from Boere kos to French Cuisine. Our specialized chefs prepare each of our menu options with attention to detail, flavour, and perfection. We also accommodate Halaal and Kosher functions, catering for everyone in our South African community

What Is Considered A Low Budget Wedding

What is considered a low budget party depends on your own definition, but generally around £5,000 would be considered a low budget wedding.

The key is to keep track of your spending and not get carried away. Set yourself a budget for each section of your wedding planning. For example:

£3000 for your ceremony and venue costs £500 for the wedding photographer £250-500 for the dress £0 for jewellery etc.

Recommended Reading: How Long Does It Take To Plan A Wedding

Consider A Wedding Package

Many wedding venues offer packages that include, say, a glass of wine per guest, a three-course meal, and a DJ.

  • These keep hassles to a minimum, cut costs and can sometimes work out cheaper than booking everything yourself.
  • Its always worth comparing them with the total cost of a venue hire plus a local caterers fee.

Book Photography And Videography With The Same Provider

OOO How perfect to keep your wedding( or bridesmaid

Not all photography studios offer videography services, nor vice versa. But if you choose a provider capable of shooting professional-grade photo and video, look into combined photography and videography packages, which can cost hundreds of dollars less than separate photography and videography jobs.

Also Check: F Wedding Hashtags

Think Outside The Box For Wedding Catering

What better way to create a memorable wedding experience than with a unique meal? Think outside the box for your catering who doesnt love a food truck, taco bar, pig roast, or shrimp boil? Not only will it be delicious but your guests will never forget it!

% Percent: Venue Catering And Rental Costs

The biggest part of your wedding budget will go toward the big ticket items, which covers the cost of renting out your venue space, hiring caterers for food, alcohol and rentals, such as tables, chairs and dinnerware. Some couples also include the price of their cake in this 50% chunk of their budget.

Don’t Miss: Should I Insure A $3000 Ring

Get Multiple Quotes To Compare Pricing And Service

When buying a car, you dont jump at the first offer you see. You compare multiple offers for comparable vehicles, weighing the relative pros and cons until you arrive at an informed decision youre reasonably confident you wont regret.

The scale of your wedding media investment might be smaller, but your decisions consequences echo even further into the future. Spend as long as it takes thoroughly researching photographers in your area and requesting quotes from all who seem in line with your general tastes and budget.

You can jump-start the research process by attending a wedding fair near the area you plan to get married. They typically occur before the wedding season begins and can attract hundreds of service providers from miles around.

Do Your Research And Explore All The Options

How To Calculate Your WEDDING BUDGET and Keep Costs In Check

When shopping for literally anything, its so important to do your research and shop around. Gather all the relevant info, options, and quotes and youll be much more likely to find the best value. Also be sure to check for wedding deals and discounts on *everything* you buy for your big day.

Also Check: How Many Hotel Rooms To Block For Wedding

Not Determining Who’s Paying For What

Jess + Nate Studios

Yes, it’s awkward, but the conversation has to happen. Talk with your families about who will pay for what: Some brides’ families still pick up the entire tab , but it’s more and more common for grooms’ families to participate too. How do you bring up the conversation? For many couples, talking to each family separately is the best way to have truly open discussions. When you do talk, here are strategies for determining your initial budget.

Ask both of your folks if they’re planning to contribute to the cost of the wedding. If so, have them commit to a specific dollar amount, and then add up all the contributions to create your budget. Alternatively, it may be easier to ask each set of parents to finance a particular aspect of the wedding instead of just committing to a dollar amount. Decide how much you two can contribute between now and the wedding. Below are some of the top considerations that can influence who pays for what.

How To Make Your Cheap Wedding Look Expensive

Although most of us who are planning a wedding on a budget, dont want their wedding to look cheap at all. This means that you need to act wisely while giving an expensive look to your cheap wedding. This requires you to manage all the things in a perfect way.

Especially, when you are taking help from your family and friends, make sure that they know what you are expecting them to do. For instance, while decorating the venue, use good materials that fit within your budget.

In addition, the food you prepare should be on par with one that you experience at different weddings. Although the dress should be inexpensive, it should not look cheap.

After all, appearance is what counts the most at your wedding. So choose a dress that gives you a perfect look.

Recommended Reading: How To Plan A Wedding Under 5000

Look For Professional Independents

If your wedding medias quality is even a remote concern, resist the temptation to source an unvetted amateur from Craigslist or your wedding guest list, no matter how tight your budget. Youre more likely to be disappointed with the results.

But it is possible to find professional-grade work at nonprofessional prices.

Up-and-coming photography and videography professionals are often willing to work for less than what more established professionals charge. Theyre frequently just out of school or ready to move up from assistant roles and launch their own independent businesses.

The best place to find them and verify their credentials is on reputable job boards like Indeed and freelance job websites like Upwork.

Cut Down Number Of Guests

Cheap Wedding Ideas on a Small Budget

Size matters. “The number one thing you can do to keep your wedding costs down is to keep your guest list down,” said Dena Davey, director of marketing for the Association of Bridal Consultants.

Average spending per guest reached $204 in 2012, according to the wedding website theknot.com, which conducts an annual survey of wedding costs.

If that sounds like a lot, remember that each invitee gets an invitation, a catered meal, a piece of very pricey cake, and a whole lot of champagneand that’s without a lot of frills.

So the potential savings from a smaller ceremony are clear.

Also Check: Where To Get Wedding Invitations Printed

Advice From The Pros: A Destination Wedding

Dying to elope somewhere away from home? A $10,000 destination wedding is possible, according to Lisa Light of Destination Bride. Here are her tips:

1. Keep it small. The fewer guests, the easier it will be.

2. Choose all-inclusive options. All-inclusive resorts and cruises are generally the cheapest and easiest way to go, said Light. You pay a group price and your host will often offer free venues for things like welcome party of brunch.

In most cases, guests will pay for their own all-inclusive rate, which means bride and groom are only responsible for venue and catering fees. Sounds like offloading costs onto your friends and family? Not so, said Light. Group deals at resorts and cruises can make for some very inexpensive vacations, with rates as $135 a night including food and drinks.

READ MORE: Millennials are spending a lot of money to go to weddings

3. Make sure to bargain. You have negotiating power when you travel with a group so work it, said Light. Negotiate for add-ons like a welcome dinner, tours or WiFi to be included in your package.

4. Hold your wedding during the low or shoulder season. Avoiding the high seasons will save you a lot. But if youre planning a wedding in the hurricane belt, know what your resorts weather clause is and be sure to buy wedding insurance.

Dont Hire A Photographer

We all know that professional photographers are expensive. Hiring a photographer can cost you more than your wedding. Hence, if you are planning a DIY wedding under $1,000, there is no need to hire a photographer. In fact, one of your friends or family member can perform this task.

There is a person in almost every family who is passionate about photography. So why dont you give him/her an opportunity to be your wedding photographer? So instead of hiring a professional photographer, make use of the God gifted talent of your friend or family member.

In addition, with some amazing cell phones in every hand, you can get some outstanding pictures even without assigning a person to take photographs. This might give you an idea that how to plan a wedding on a budget of $1,000.

Read Also: How To Plan A Really Cheap Wedding

Consider A Restaurant As A Wedding Venue

Restaurants are only often associated with celebrations and events but not weddings, which is understandable. After all, weddings usually require more tables, a dance floor, a DJ booth, a space for the bar, and other requirements!

But thats not always the case, is it? There are amazing restaurants with great layouts that allow you to work around your own floor plan goals. Some restaurants can accommodate your wedding and can also possibly save you money!

You got great food in-house, you can plug into their existing sound system, you can have bar access, great staff, an intimate vibe, and just all the good stuff! Its just a matter of finding the right restaurant!

Sourcing a venue that you can have both your wedding ceremony and reception will reap some savings!

GET YOUR FREE WEDDING PLANNING KIT

Look Ravishing With Free Makeovers

Keeping Your Wedding Inexpensive

While some brides go DIY, it may save a lot of stress if you get make-up done by a pro. Before you start wincing at the fees, there are sneaky ways around this.

Get your make-up done at a beauty counter in a department store, then simply buy the lipstick to ‘touch up’ .

Department stores also run beauty courses that you could attend. You can learn a new skill, do your own make-up on the day, and even help out at your friends’ weddings.

Alternatively, check out local beauty training schools. They may do your hair and make-up free on the day as part of their training. Check Beautyfinder for a directory of training schools and colleges in your area.

Recommended Reading: What To Put In Wedding Guest Gift Bags

The Icing On The Cake: Buttercream Saves $

If your dream wedding wouldn’t be complete without a traditional wedding cake, opt for buttercream over fondant. Although fondant is more “durable” in hot weather and can be formed into fancier finishes, buttercream icing is not only tastierit’s also cheaper! We recommend getting a small cutting cake for photos, but having inexpensive sheet cakes waiting in the kitchen to feed your guests.

Limit Your Photography And Videography Staff Size At Smaller Weddings

It isnt always possible with larger or logistically complex weddings with multiple shooting sites or challenging conditions.

But if you expect fewer than 75 guests at your wedding and plan a relatively traditional ceremony and reception, your provider may be willing to send only a lead photographer or videographer, forgoing the assistants and interns who often help with setup, shooting, and equipment-ferrying at larger events.

Depending on the provider, that could reduce your service bill by a few hundred dollars.

Also Check: Fleet Farm Wedding Registry

Tap Your Personal Network

If you want your official wedding photos and videos to look truly amazing, you dont want to give the job to a random guest whose top qualification is an above-average Instagram account.

But you may know or know someone who knows professional or qualified amateur photographers and videographers capable of producing professional-grade material.

Depending on the strength of your connection, you may be able to secure a friend or family discount for those services, even if theyre already established as professionals in your area. The depth of this discount is sure to vary, but in my experience, 5% or even 10% off full price isnt unreasonable.

For instance, we worked with my wifes former classmate, whod recently established a professional photography business with her husband. They gave us a small discount and didnt charge for travel to and from the reception site, as was apparently customary for other jobs in their rural hometown.

Qualified nonprofessionals or rising professionals, such as recent film or visual arts school graduates without practices of their own, may be willing to work for even less, especially if theyre able to build their profile or meet new prospects as a result.

Just make sure they have adequate equipment, enough help, and enough prior experience to pull off a big job. As with anyone you hire, check out their previous work first.

Change Your Wedding Date

This article discusses how to keep from spending too much ...

You can get the best deals from venues and other wedding essentials, and at the same time make your wedding different from everyone elses by having less traditional Decor that fits into the offseason you have chosen.

Wedding venues are willing to give you a good rate for booking a wedding on dates that they usually do not book.

I personally got married on a Sunday and I paid 50% off the rates that most pay on a Friday or on a Sunday.

You just need to think outside the box to find more cheap wedding ideas that could save you thousands of dollars.

Read Also: What Goes On First Engagement Ring Or Band

Budget Wedding Ideas For Your Wedding Venue

  • Look at alternative wedding venues like village halls, parents’ back gardens, holiday homes. Even YOUR home…It really pays to think outside the box when it comes to the venue. Investigate all ideas – whether that’s speaking with local farmers, charities based in amazing buildings, or woodland trusts. Don’t think anything is off-limits until you know for certain that it is.
  • Compare the difference between a dry hire wedding and having a wedding where some or all of the suppliers are specified. Can you save money hiring your own catering instead of using a venue’s caterer?
  • Guest numbers can significantly impact the cost of your wedding. If you go for a smaller venue you will be limited on guest spaces so this could be one way to bring down your overall cost.

Latest Posts

Popular Articles

Stay in touch

To be updated with all the latest news, offers and special announcements.