by Semify
Getting married is a magical thing and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s only natural that you want to make it as special as possible. With that said, getting into wedding debt is surprisingly easy and it can be very difficult to get out of it. When you consider that the average budget for a wedding ceremony and reception is around $28,385, it’s easy to see why wedding debt is such a big deal.
If you’re planning a wedding and want to stay out of debt or at least ensure your debt is as low as possible, this is just the article you need. Let’s look at a few ideas on how to ensure that your wedding is awesome without costing an absolute fortune.
Plan Your Budget Carefully
Planning everything out carefully is necessary if you want to save money. Cutting down on things like gifts for guests and keeping the menu to a minimum are all things you must keep in mind when planning the wedding budget. Your wedding can be amazing without a five-course meal or freebies your guests will forget about anyway.
Opt for Monetary Wedding Gifts
Let’s say you have 20 guests at your wedding, and each guest gives $100 dollars instead of wedding gifts. That would give you a total of $2,000 that you didn’t have before, and you can use that cash to pay off some debts.
Rent a Wedding Dress
Finding the perfect dress is as difficult as it’s expensive, and renting one is so much cheaper. You’re only going to wear the dress for one day, so you might as well save as much as possible on it. It’s nice to think that you want one you can pass down to your children, but who says they’ll have the same taste as you?
Keep the Wedding Intimate
Only invite your closest friends and family to your wedding. Unnecessary guests mean you’ll have unnecessary costs. Also, fewer people mean less food and drinks, so it’s okay not inviting the random old lady that held you once when you were a baby. Seriously, if a person isn’t someone you truly want to spend your special day with, you’re not obligated to invite them, even if they’re family
Have an Off-Season Wedding
Back in 2012, the average wedding reception cost about $13,106, so you know it’s really expensive these days. With that in mind, why not have an off-season wedding? Having a winter wedding will not only be cheaper and more gorgeous, but it also makes it feel more unique and special. Spring is also slightly off-season, so if a fairycore spring wedding sounds more like your style, go for it.
Keep Things Local
Keeping it local might sound boring, but all the money you’re saving can go to making it as beautiful as possible right where you are. Since 35% of weddings are outdoor occasions these days, you don’t have to hire a big indoor venue—do things outside!
Cut Expenses
This may be easier said than done, but it’s not impossible. Temporarily spending a little less on things like takeaways and non-essential expenses will give you a little extra to spend on the wedding. Also, canceling some subscriptions for a short while might lessen the debt you have to pay.
Get Professional Help
Sometimes, it’s still difficult to pay for everything even after trying all the methods and options. If you get to the point where it feels like nothing is helping, getting professional help from someone like a financial planner is the best way to go. Financial planners will guide you through your debt and help you return to financial stability.
Wedding planning is stressful enough without worrying about debt, but if you follow the advice shared here, you’re off to a fantastic start. The bouquet is in your hands now—go ahead and plan the wedding of your dreams without paying an arm and a leg for it!
So, what do you think ?