Weddings are expensive, and spending can quickly get out of control. It’s important for your venue, outfits, catering, ceremony, insurance, photography, and so much more. The average age of an engaged bride is now 31, and most couples are engaged for around two years. You have plenty of time to save up and discuss your wedding before the planning stage begins.
There are a few ways you can cut costs to get the most out of your wedding budget. With a bit of DIY and a few compromises, you can have your dream wedding and stay within your means. Here are a few ways to budget for your special day.
Save
Most couples pay for their wedding themselves and abandon the longstanding British tradition of the bride’s father paying for the celebration. You need to start saving to pay for your wedding day.
Bridebook, the UK’s most popular wedding app, recently released a report on the wedding industry. They found that the average UK wedding costs £16006 and increases to £20731 with a honeymoon.
If you already have savings, put a chunk aside for your emergency fund and dedicate a portion for your wedding fund. Try to add 10-20% of your income to this fund every month to increase your savings slowly. It can take years to save for a wedding, especially if you dream of the grand princess celebration.
Enjoy the Process
The planning process can bring you closer together as a couple. Weddings cost a lot of money, and it’s important to make sure that money is going to good use. Try to make the planning process enjoyable and do it together as a couple. You could spend a day choosing wedding rings together or take a mini break to a potential venue.
Identify the Big Costs
You need to decide what is essential for your wedding. Locate the high costs, like a venue and catering service, and log them into your budget. Different venues are at various price points, and they can take a hefty chunk out of your overall budget. Try to compromise and find a wedding venue that suits your style and your budget.
Prioritise
Every decoration and dress come with a cost. You might not be able to afford fireworks, a photo booth, and a designer wedding dress. Sit down with your partner and decide what is important to you. You might be able to cut corners on fancy invitations and decorations by doing a little DIY. Take a course in calligraphy or ask a crafty friend to help you out with the decoration side of things.
Save and budget for your wedding while also making the most out of the magical experience.