How to plan a wedding on a budget

Planning for what should be the best day of your life can be a daunting task. With many couples having to reschedule or rethink their wedding plans, here are a few helpful tips for planning a wedding on a budget.

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Work out your budget and stick to it

The best place to start is to figure out exactly how much money you can afford to spend. This will give you a better idea of what kind of venues you can afford and how much money you'll be able to spend on vendors. If you do decide to use several different vendors, it can be good to let them know what your budget is early so that they can set some realistic expectations for you.

"You may have a budget in mind for the day but not have the entire amount saved yet. Many of our customers use a personal loan to access the extra funds early, while sticking to their original budget. This could make sure you get access to early bird deals by booking in advance and also avoid the high interest sting of putting large expenses on a credit card."  SocietyOne CFO, Virginia Marshall suggests.

Ask guests to share their talents instead of giving wedding gifts

If you happen to have any friends with special talents, such as photographers or musicians, politely ask if they'd be happy to help you out on your big day in lieu of a wedding gift. Helping to make your wedding one to remember, it's not only a great way to save some money, but it's also a special way to incorporate friends and family into the day's celebrations.

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Get married mid-week

Although it may not be the case for all venues and vendors, sometimes choosing to get married mid-week can see you save a few extra dollars. Weekends, especially Saturdays, are the most popular time to get married, but may see you pay a premium to secure your wedding venue and vendors.

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Be smart when shopping for your wedding dress

If you're wanting to feel fabulous on your wedding day, you certainly don't need to spend a small fortune on your dress. To help save some extra cash, think about signing up for newsletters from your favourite bridal stores so you'll know when any sales take place, explore non-bridal boutiques for suitable dresses, buy a second-hand dress that's in good condition, or choose to simply hire a dress for the day.

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Keep things intimate

A good way to keep costs down and stick to your budget is to plan an intimate wedding. Most venues charge for food and alcohol per person, meaning that every invite can eat into your budget. Draw up a list of guests and don't be afraid to cut your final list down to your nearest and dearest. With restrictions still surrounding how many people can attend weddings, it's something that you may need to think about regardless of your budget.

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