You’ll never forget your wedding day. It may be something of a cliche, but it’s undeniably true that this special day will live long in your memory and is, with any luck, a once-in-a-lifetime activity that you’ll hope goes off without any hitches and doesn’t leave you in a mountain of debt.
A wedding is the most significant occasion you’ll have in your life, and it’s a hugely important moment, not just for you, but for your partner and family. It’s something you want to get right, but it shouldn’t be an event that leaves you in massive debt.
There is a societal need to really pull out all the stops when it comes to your wedding, but if doing so leaves you in financial trouble, then it’s not worth the long-term problems that will occur as a result.
In 2023 there are many ways to keep the cost of your wedding down and within your budget; here are some suggestions that will help.
Table of Contents
1. Venue
Most conservative estimates suggest that venue hire for a wedding can take up to as much as 40% of your entire budget, so this is an area you’ll have to consider long and hard when it comes to your special day.
If you opt to have your wedding at a grand venue, then you can expect to spend vast sums and in reality, is this something you really think makes all the difference? When it comes to keeping your wedding budget down, the location you choose is one area you can certainly get to grips with.
Perhaps you could look to conduct the wedding in a more reserved venue or even consider having the event in a large garden, maybe your own or a friend’s. The opulence of a wedding venue that is explicitly geared to such occasions may seem like a good idea, but in practice, does it really matter?
Sometimes very expensive venues can actually be lifeless and feel overpowering, whereas hosting the venue something you know, somewhere with genuine warmth, could be just the ticket.
2. Out of Season or Weekday
If you absolutely have to marry in a posh venue, then do so on a weekday or out of season, or indeed both. You’ll be shocked how much the cost goes down when you elect to have your wedding on a Tuesday and not a Saturday, and after all, does it matter what day of the week it happens?
3. The Ring
Another big ticket item is the rings you’ll offer each other as part of the wedding ceremony but here again, the need to spend large sums shouldn’t be the motivating factor. The cost of jewelry in 2023 is far more competitive than it has ever been, especially if you are shopping online.
The online jewelry market is hugely popular right now, whether that’s buying a stylish mom ring, a custom-made necklace, or an elegant wedding ring that suits your fashion palette and your budget.
This means that that amazing sophisticated diamond ring is now actually less expensive than it used to be. Buying online is safe and secure so long as you are using a trusted service, so be sure to do the relevant research before committing to a purchase.
4. Guestlist, Keep It Personal
If you invite 300 people to your wedding, that means you’ve got to keep them happy and fed and quench their thirst for the entire event. Think about it, do you really need to invite everyone at work? Do distant relatives, who you have not seen for ages, really deserve an invite?
Limiting your guest list actually serves two purposes. Firstly it helps keep the cost down, and secondly, it makes your event more personal and genuine. Gone are the days of inviting as many people as you can just for the sake of it.
Have an honest conversation with your partner and think long and hard about who gets to come to your special occasion.
5. Wedding Photographer, Wedding DJ: Ask Around
Try to make good use of those you know. Perhaps in your circle, there’s a budding photographer or DJ? Clearly, you’ll want someone who knows what they are doing but someone who won’t charge a small fortune.
If you absolutely must use a wedding photographer, hire them for a few hours, not the whole day; that way, you can save a large amount of money. Additionally, you can set up a website and encourage your guests to take a massive amount of snaps which they can then upload to your online wedding album; this makes the whole aspect more interactive and fun.
6. Make Your Own Wedding Cake
Another massive cost, and one that seems entirely unjustifiable, comes in the form of the wedding cake. Whenever you add the word ‘wedding’ to a product or service, the cost spikes, and in terms of a cake, you can definitely save money by making it yourself or with the help of friends who are very useful in the kitchen.
7. Make a Budget and Stick to It
Before you sit down to work out the budget for your event, set the maximum amount you are willing to spend, and stick to it. Then, plan well. Open a spreadsheet and shop around for every possible service that’s relevant to the occasion.
Seek out the best deals, and don’t just say yes to the first vendor that comes into view; plan ahead to avoid any last-minute price hikes.