How to Have a Magical Wedding On a Budget

May 16

Every bride wants her day to be perfect – and why shouldn’t it be? But every wedding has a budget and sometimes that creates extra stress for the soon-to-be-wed couple. We have some savvy tips to help you save on just about every aspect of your wedding. Below are some basic tips to help you have a magical wedding on a budget.

Invitations. According to The Knot, 2%-3% of your wedding costs go toward stationery. It may not sound like much, but for a typical $25,000 wedding that equals about $500 to $750! That’s a LOT to spend on paper. Homemade invitations and save-the-date cards are by far the most inexpensive way to go, AND they can be some of the prettiest! Start by asking your friends and family for their unwanted craft supplies. I’ve done this a few times and ended up with an arsenal of stock papers, markers, stickers & more. If you have a crafty bunch of friends – this can be a fun and easy way to save money.For everything else, shop around. Online, places like PaperAndMore.com have envelopes & stationery at reasonable prices. Michaels, Jo-Ann and Hobby Lobby run regular sales on paper craft supplies, and you can get discounts through email by signing up for their newsletters. You can also enlist the help of your bridesmaids, your family members, and if you’re bold enough – your future mother in law to help in cutting, printing, and assembling your invites to save some time. You can serve munchies to make it a fun and informal get together.

Wedding Attire. Wedding attire and accessories can be a significant portion of the wedding costs. There are dozens of ways to save when it comes to what you and the rest of your bridal party wear on your special day. The key is to keep an open mind and focus on comfort and having fun while keeping your budget in mind. For the Bride & Bridesmaids

If you wear a size 6, 8, or 10, check out sample sales- it’s an excellent opportunity to get a designer dress at rock-bottom prices. Remember that cleaning the delicate fabric of a wedding dress can cost to get cleaned, so check around at different cleaners for better pricing options.
You can also look on eBay, Craigslist and other websites for deals on used wedding & bridesmaid dresses. Chances are it’s only been worn once! Look for local used dress shops or check out charities for discounted dresses. The Brides Project in Ann Arbor, Michigan has gowns of all different styles, shapes, and sizes at AMAZING prices – all proceeds support families that have been touched by cancer.
Consider renting or borrowing dresses. It’s not the most romantic notion, but you’re only going to wear it once – so keep an open mind. You may be able to find an amazing designer gown and just pay a fraction of what it would cost to buy it – and you won’t even have to give up any closet space!

For The Groom & Groomsmen

Shop around online for deals on tuxedos and suits. You’d be surprised what you can find. You can also try second-hand shops for significant savings. Search for DEALS to help you find one or more of the suits or tuxedos FREE.
Consider less formal attire. Are you having your wedding in a park or on the beach? Khakis and jeans are becoming ever more popular for men and may fit the theme of your big day better than a full tuxedo or suit. You can also just have them wear dress pants & shirts instead of having the entire ensemble.

Accessories

Accessories can also be hard on your budget. Consider craft stores, costume shops, and discount jewelry stores to find deals on some of your accessories. eBay or Tradesy are big hits – you can find almost ANYTHING at reasonable prices.
Things like hair accessories, jewelry, and bridal veils can be unreasonably expensive and can put a big dent in your budget if you buy them at a bridal shop. Consider wearing your grandmother’s pearls, your sister's veil, or your mom’s hairpin – it’ll be both sentimental and money saving.

The Honeymoon. Yes, this comes after you get married, but by planning for it early and keeping an open mind, you can save yourselves bunches! Exotic destinations, resorts, and cruises are popular options for honeymoon destinations, but by thinking more frugally, you can save on expenses and still have an amazing honeymoon.

Use your resources. Talk to friends and family to see if they have a cabin or a condo you could stay at for your honeymoon. Sure, you won’t have 24 hr room service, but you can make it unique by having your friends or family prep the place for you ahead of time. Candles, wine, and some mood lighting work wonders.
Stay within driving distance. By driving to your honeymoon destination, you can save on rental fees, airline costs, and other travel expenses. This also limits what types of destinations are available to you. Get creative – you can have an amazing getaway at Myrtle Beach, drive down to Florida for some fun in the sun and maybe a chance at a Disneyworld Resort, or you can head out to Colorado for some alone-time in the mountain peaks. Keep an open mind, and anything can be romantic and fun for you and your soon-to-be spouse.

Check out sites like Groupon for deeply discounted vacation packages, tickets, and hotels. You can also put Groupon deals on your gift list and make it easy for family and friends to help give you the honeymoon of your dreams!

We hope this will help save you some money and help you create an amazing and wonderful day that you’ll remember for the rest of your lives. Please feel free to comment and share. Until next time – Keep it simple!