How Do You Arrange A Cheap Wedding?

You should add up your savings, keep an accurate spreadsheet, plan for unexpected costs, and make significant cuts if you find yourself going over your budget. It's not easy, we get it, but putting in the effort now will pay off in the end and make your happily ever after that much more likely (wedding-debt free). Learn here how to create a realistic financial plan for your wedding.

Step 1: Count Your Cash

There are three major factors that will determine how much money you have available to put towards the wedding:

The money you and your fiance have put aside separately: You can't just check your bank account and figure this out. For emergencies like job loss or health problems, you and your partner should each have three months' worth of living expenses saved up (separate from retirement funds). Determine how much you have available for wedding expenses by deducting the "just in case" sum from your total bank balance.

The percentage of your current income that you can put aside: Save up to 10% of your monthly income after paying off any outstanding debts such as student loans." According to a personal finance expert and author of, it's best to set up automatic payments into a dedicated wedding savings account rather than relying solely on leftovers.

As for any help from mum and dad or other family members: "Do not assume that your parents or other family members can or will help pay for your wedding. Still, it doesn't hurt to enquire.

Step 2: Track Your Spending

Make a tally sheet with columns labelled "estimated," "modified," and "actual" costs. Costs in your area will determine the amounts in the Estimated column, the selected vendors' bids will determine the amounts in the Modified column, and the actual amounts you pay them will be recorded in the actual column.

After contacting suppliers for pricing, readjust your estimates. The location is the most expensive part of the wedding and a major factor in deciding how many people to invite. Be sure to ask if tax is included in the estimates given to you by your vendors. If that's the case, you'll need to do the math to account for differences in state and local tax rates when formulating your proposal.

Add a column for the estimated tip. If the vendor's price already includes a gratuity, indicate that it is "included" in the text box. (For instance, caterers will typically charge an additional 15% to 20% of the total, which is due in advance.)

Prepare for the inevitable oversights (invitation postage, parking valets, etc.) by setting aside 15% of the total budget in a separate category labelled "Extras" (corkage and plating fees). But again, you shouldn't spend this money up front; you'll need it as unforeseen circumstances arise during the planning process.

Step 3: Prepare For Surprises

Read the fine print of any contracts with vendors or gift bag purchases before signing, as seemingly insignificant costs can quickly add up. You should eliminate the line item if its total cost exceeds your budget.

Vendor Transportation

Is it true that you are going to be using the services of a band or photographer from out of town? It's possible that you'll need to spend money on a van rental or plane fare. Verify the contract's language to ensure you understand what's included.

Setup And Breakdown Fees

Depending on when your reception ends, you may have to pay overtime rates for cleanup.

Envelope Stuffing

There are stationery stores that charge as much as $7 per invitation. Gather the girls, pour some wine, and do it yourself to save money.

Planners

On average, a day-of coordinator will cost you around $1,000, while a full-service event designer may charge as much as $25,000, or 20% of the total budget, for an event of the Kardashian's proportions. Knowing your budget constraints is essential before engaging a professional. Furthermore, many locations mandate that you hire either their in-house wedding coordinator or provide your own wedding coordinator.

Step 4: Charge Responsibly

However tempting it may be to use credit cards to increase your cash flow, you should refrain from doing so. The host of the So Money podcast advises against charging anything that won't be paid off in 30 days, unless you have access to a credit card with a 0% purchase APR that waives interest charges if you pay off your balance in full by a certain date (usually 12 to 15 months).

Thinking out the steps you'll take to achieve your goal before handing over any cash. To help offset the cost of the wedding, you could, for instance, set up a savings plan and register for cash gifts to use towards the ceremony. If you must use a credit card, pick one with a rewarding cash-back incentive programme.

Step 5: Find Ways To Save

Spending too much? If you implement these strategies, you will noticeably reduce your monthly expenses.

Change The Venue.

Although inexpensive, raw venues like barns and lofts can be transformed into stunning wedding reception settings. It's possible that you'll need to bring in things like tables and chairs, crockery, cutlery, serving utensils, a kitchen for the caterer, and perhaps even a heating or cooling system. Before making any final decisions, calculate how much more expensive that venue would be compared to a simpler venue for a wedding.

Edit The Guest List.

When you factor in the cost of the invitation, the gift bag, the transportation, the cake, and the favours, each guest ends up spending much more than they would have on the meal itself. Keep your A-list small and your B-list nonexistent. For a reception expecting 135 guests, cutting the guest list by 15 people will save you around $1,300.

Go Off-Peak.

A wedding in the winter is a beautiful idea. Pick a day, preferably a Friday or a Sunday. Or have mimosas at brunch instead of a four-course dinner with wine pairings.

Build-In Time.

Fifty-seven percent of brides-to-be are open to extending their wedding preparations. When vendors are aware of a time constraint, negotiations become more difficult.

Host The Ceremony And Reception In The Same Place.

The transportation costs for the wedding party and guests could be reduced by as much as $4,000.

Forgo A Live Band.

A DJ will run you a few thousand dollars, while a well-known performer can cost upwards of $30,000.

Order All Of Your Paper Items Yourself.

To do this, you'll need to either order or make your wedding invitations and any inserts that go along with them. You'll need to order things like place cards, table numbers, and perhaps even programmes later on. Due to technological advancements, these tasks can now be completed with relative ease at home. The couple picks out the appropriate paper (many businesses online will send free samples), prints them on their home printer, stuffs them, and sends them off. Do the ordering and picking up of printed materials yourself, even if you decide to use a stationer. Involving a wedding planner will increase your costs, either because of her markup or because she will likely receive a thank you commision from the store.

Don't be shy about asking her to review them; take charge of the design, procurement, and construction instead.

Address Your Invitations.

Calligraphy is expensive to commision. Get a calligraphy pen and practise until your invitations are perfect if you're dead set on using calligraphy. It's really not hard at all. And only a trained eye would ever be able to tell it wasn't done by a pro. In order to get started, you can find a tonne of guides on the internet.

Say No To Upgrades.

One more way to save money on your wedding is to refuse to pay for any unnecessary upgrades. Instead, settle for the cheapest or most basic option available. It's not uncommon for couples to spend thousands more than originally planned because they want something other than standard white tablecloths. Or perhaps they just don't feel comfortable in the ceremony seating.

Use Fewer Vendors.

Think about hiring a vendor who can provide more than one service for your wedding, such as a DJ who can also light up the dance floor or a cake baker who can also hand out tasty treats as favours. Getting more from one vendor will always save you money because you won't have to pay as many setup or delivery fees as you would if you were working with multiple vendors.

Select the type of wedding you desire.

How do you envision your dream wedding? Is it a loft in the city where the reception will be held? Inviting all your loved ones over for a cookout in the backyard? A formal dinner in a grand hotel ballroom?

Think back on the weddings you've attended, watched on TV, or browsed on Pinterest if you need some additional motivation. Tell me about your experience with them, good and bad.

Don't worry about the insignificant stuff for now. Think about the mood you want to set instead.

Talk about the wedding's budget.

The budget for the wedding should be discussed in detail by the bride, groom, and both sets of parents. Perhaps this is the first time you and your potential future spouse have created a joint financial plan. What a fantastic and exciting experience! If you and your spouse are both open and honest about your wedding costs, you can set the stage for some fantastic, low-cost date nights after the wedding.

Think about how awkward this discussion of money is going to be compared to the stress of trying to figure out how to pay for your fifth wedding anniversary.

Choose ratios that are meaningful to you. You may be willing to spend more photographs, but flowers just aren't that important to you. Shift the weights around to make it reflect what's most important to you.

Establish Your Non-Negotiables.

You and your future life partner should meet and talk about what items are most crucial to have at the wedding. An exterior reception, a plated surf meal, flowers, and a live jazz band, etc. are all examples of possible extravagances.

Whether you decide to make separate lists or work together, it's important that you both take the time to sat down and figure out what it is that you want. Your financial plan should then reflect that strategy.

The Wedding Budget Breakdown

To begin, make some room in your financial plan. Recognize that your spending plan will change as you plan to accommodate for unanticipated costs. Remember to factor in some wiggle room in case anything unexpected comes up. By doing so, you'll be prepared for any unanticipated costs.

Reduce the Number of Guests

It's only natural that you'd want to tell the people closest to you about your good fortune. However, the cost of providing food, beverages, and seating for all of the guests you've invited to your special day can add up quickly. A smaller number of guests means fewer chairs to fill, plates to fill, and hugs to share. Finding reasonably priced wedding venues is not something you'll have to compromise on. Further, with fewer people in attendance, you'll have more time to focus on each individual. Having a raw bar, making your own seating chart, or giving out personalised favours are all fun ideas that could be made possible with some extra funds.

Conclusion

If you find yourself overspending, you should tally up your savings, maintain an accurate spreadsheet, and make drastic cuts. Your partner and you should each have three months' worth of living expenses saved up in case of an emergency, such as the loss of employment or serious illness. Find out how to plan your wedding's budget sensibly here. In a separate line item labelled "Extras," set aside fifteen percent of the total budget for incidentals. It will cost you about $1,000 for a day-of coordinator, and up to $25,000 for a full-service event designer.

Future brides are flexible with their wedding planning timelines. You can expect to see significant savings in your monthly budget if you apply these methods. If you were planning on having 135 people at your reception, and you reduced that number by 15, you would save about $1,300. A DJ will cost you several thousand dollars, while a famous performer can easily cost you thirty thousand. Having calligraphy done on commision is a hefty investment.

Using calligraphy is not difficult if you are determined to do so. It is always more cost-effective to hire a vendor who can provide more than one service for your wedding, as you will avoid paying multiple setup and delivery fees. The bride, groom, and both sets of parents need to sit down and talk about the wedding budget in great detail. Being upfront and honest with your spouse about the cost of the wedding can pave the way for some great, low-cost date nights after the honeymoon. Hosting a wedding can be very expensive.

Fewer guests means fewer empty seats, fewer empty plates, and fewer empty arms. With more money, you can do things like provide a raw bar, design your own seating chart, and create unique party favours for your guests.

Content Summary

• You should add up your savings, keep an accurate spreadsheet, plan for unexpected costs, and make significant cuts if you find yourself going over your budget.
• Learn here how to create a realistic financial plan for your wedding.
• Determine how much you have available for wedding expenses by deducting the "just in case" sum from your total bank balance.
• Verify the contract's language to ensure you understand what's included.
• Knowing your budget constraints is essential before engaging a professional.
• To help offset the cost of the wedding, you could, for instance, set up a savings plan and register for cash gifts to use towards the ceremony.
• Edit The Guest List.
• The transportation costs for the wedding party and guests could be reduced by as much as $4,000.Forgo A Live Band.
• To do this, you'll need to either order or make your wedding invitations and any inserts that go along with them.
• Get a calligraphy pen and practise until your invitations are perfect if you're dead set on using calligraphy.
• One more way to save money on your wedding is to refuse to pay for any unnecessary upgrades.
• Select the type of wedding you desire.
• Tell me about your experience with them, good and bad.
• Think about the mood you want to set instead.
• Talk about the wedding's budget.
• The budget for the wedding should be discussed in detail by the bride, groom, and both sets of parents.
• If you and your spouse are both open and honest about your wedding costs, you can set the stage for some fantastic, low-cost date nights after the wedding.
• Choose ratios that are meaningful to you.
• You and your future life partner should meet and talk about what items are most crucial to have at the wedding.
• Whether you decide to make separate lists or work together, it's important that you both take the time to sat down and figure out what it is that you want.
• To begin, make some room in your financial plan.
• Recognize that your spending plan will change as you plan to accommodate for unanticipated costs.
• However, the cost of providing food, beverages, and seating for all of the guests you've invited to your special day can add up quickly.
• A smaller number of guests means fewer chairs to fill, plates to fill, and hugs to share.