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Do’s and Don’ts for Your Wedding Budget

Spend? Save? DIY? It's no secret many couples blow their wedding budget completely out of the water. Here are just a few places for you to save vs spend on your wedding day.

Having been recently married, I can tell you for certain that weddings are very expensive. There is so much to think about, and sometimes, paying for convenience outweighs the time-consuming DIY-ing that a lot of brides subscribe to to save a few pennies.

While you may be leaning in that direction, remember, that there are a few places you can trim your budget without spending hours and hours making centerpieces.

Trust me, if you implement some of these tips and tricks you will definitely save some dough when planning your wedding!

Ways to save:

1. Think of an alternative for wedding cake. Wedding cakes as so over-priced, and in my opinion they don’t even taste that good… seriously who like fondant? Opt for something more affordable, or if your meal includes dessert, you can skip the cake all together, save for you and your future spouse.

We went for macarons, bit-sized dessert for people to nibble on throughout the evening. Other things you might want to consider: cupcakes, cake pops or donuts — all delicious and easy, plus you can have many different flavors if you chose.

2. Invites are just paper. Invitations can run you $5-$10 per card… and a lot of people are probably going to throw your invitation out… which is rather annoying come to think of it.

Look to options like VistaPrint for cheap printing, and Etsy for easily downloadable invites that you can print yourself. You will save some serious money if you don’t spend thousands on your invites. Maybe you even have a graphic designer friend who is willing to lend a hand?

3. Use flowers that are in season. Flowers are another thing that you set you back, I’ve seen a lot of brides spend thousands on flowers that will probably die the very next day.

Talk to your florist about what is in season, you might just end up savings hundreds just by picking a more cost effective flower. Additionally, heading to Costco or a local farmer’s market to pick up bulk flowers for you and your bridesmaids and making your bouquets yourself could save you a lot in the long run.

Where to spend:

1. The photos. I’m a firm believer that you should not skimp when it comes to your wedding photos. These are the photos you are going to have for the rest of your life. In my opinion, you want to make sure your photographer can capture your special day the way you want to. The day flies by, and after it is all said and done, your photos are the only thing you will have to remember it by.

2. The wedding rings. I believe that every couple should invest in high-quality wedding rings even when on a budget. This is particularly vital because wedding rings are something you and your spouse will wear for the rest of your life, so you should endeavor to buy durable men’s wedding bands such as the ones shown here, and quality bridal rings as well.

Opting for well-crafted bridal and men’s wedding bands ensures the rings last long and possibly become heirlooms. Quality rings, often made from durable materials, withstand the test of time. This durability preserves their aesthetic appeal and sentimental value.

While budget constraints may prompt cost-conscious choices, make efforts to allocate enough budget for your wedding rings since you’ll use them throughout your lifetime.

3. The food. I hate attending events where the food is bad, so for my husband and I this was something we decided not to skimp on. I think everyone enjoyed their meals, and I know everyone was full!

4. An officiant that will give the ceremony YOU want. I can’t stress how important this is. The officiant is the person who performs your ceremony and without them you can’t get married. That being said they should be willing to work with you to ensure your ceremony is exactly what you want. It is the most important part of the day as it is the part of the day where you are legally wed! If you want to personalize your wedding even more, you can shop for a ketubah to personalize the event even more for you and your loved one. Writing your own ketubah for your wedding is a powerful way to express your commitment to each other.

5. On what’s important to you: There might be an aspect to your wedding celebrations that deeply matters to you. Maybe it’s the ceremony location. It could be the honeymoon. Or it might be purchasing a sustainable and ethical engagement ring. What matters most is that you spend in a meaningful way.

There a definitely many ways to save on your wedding budget. One of the most important things to consider is what is really important to you. That’s your first clue as to where you should spend vs save or DIY. Just know that you have plenty of options when it comes to either choice!

To any recent brides, how were you able to save money on your wedding budget? What did you spend or splurge on?

About the Author

Janine Eccleston

Janine is a tax specialist and personal finance blogger for Calgary, AB. She is actively pursuing her CPA designation while fighting her way to financial freedom. She is the Vice-President External for the not-for-profit Her Success and enjoys sharing her financial knowledge with her peers. When she is not at work or studying Janine enjoys traveling, baking, yoga and ending off the day with a glass of wine.

Website: mypenniesmythoughts.com