The average wedding cost during the 2020 COVID-era was roughly about $19,000.
Compared to previous years, this is a low amount. Such a low cost was mostly due to smaller guest lists, limited options, and cutbacks on popular wedding mainstays.
That is all about to change. Weddings are back in full force now that COVID-19 restrictions are lifting across the country.
Here are the 8 money-saving wedding planning tips you need to know when planning your dream wedding.
1. Create a Realistic Budget
Knowing how to plan a wedding on a budget will be one of the most helpful ways to keep costs down without sacrificing what you want on your big day.
Your first step? Make a budget with a plan to continue saving throughout the planning process.
Create a must-have list of everything that you need come your wedding day. Then make another list of things that you would be fine not having.
Prioritize your spending on the must-have list. Anything left over you can spend on the items on the second list.
2. Host Your Big Day on Non-Traditional Days
Another great way to save when planning your wedding is to choose a non-traditional day, a.k.a. not a Saturday. Even moving your date to Friday or Sunday can afford you discounts on everything from vendors to venues.
Plus, you’ll find a lot more services and venues are available on a non-traditional day if you didn’t get a chance to book early.
Also, look at hosting your wedding during the “off-season.” While summer weddings are beautiful, they can be expensive because they are the most popular time to have a wedding. Think about the spring or winter to have your wedding.
3. Look at a Variety of Venues
A great set of budget-friendly wedding tips is to reconsider the type of venue you want. Be open to different ideas that may not seem “typical” at first.
Instead of a fancy event center or country club, look at historical houses, an Airbnb, or even a zoo. The sky is the limit when thinking about venues. Any type of business or place that can host an event can host a wedding.
Be sure to shop around and get prices for a variety of venues.
4. Revisit Who Gets to Bring a Plus One
If you are about to sit down to start planning your wedding, prepare to be shocked by just how fast that wedding guest list can grow. Family on both sides, plus your friends, plus your parents’ friends, plus all their plus ones.
The average catering deal costs anywhere between $50 to $120 a plate. It’s enough to make you want to elope. But don’t fret.
This is your chance to take a hard look at not just who gets a plus one, but who gets invited at all. COVID-19 has provided the perfect excuse to cut back on the guest list, have a small wedding, and save big on costs.
5. Try Consignment
The bride’s wedding dress is the focal point of any and every wedding. Being the star of the show though can get expensive. The average wedding dress costs about $2,000, depending on the area.
Try visiting consignment shops when shopping for your dress or the tux. You would be surprised by how many wedding-ready dresses you can find with the tags still on, completely new for an absolute steal.
6. Figure Out What You Can DIY
DIY projects can save you tons of money over the course of your wedding. This includes things like hair and makeup, centerpieces, and wedding favors.
But this is also where you must be careful. You don’t want to end up spending more money trying to save money by doing things yourself.
Price out what it would cost to do certain things yourself to see where you can save and where it would end up costing you more than it would if you hired someone.
7. Consider a Small Loan
Even with a budget, you could end up coming short on your wedding expenses. If this happens to you, you can consider a small loan to help cover the costs of the essentials, like venue, food, your dress, and photography.
Go with a credit partner that has clear terms and no hidden fees, like cash advance fees for when you need to pay a vendor stat. You should also aim to get a loan from a company that does not have prepayment penalties, so you can pay the loan back early.
8. Have Your Wedding Away from the City
Facts are facts. Services, venues, and vendors are nearly always more expensive in major metropolitan areas than in the suburbs or smaller towns.
Simply moving your wedding venue even thirty minutes to an hour outside of the city, you can see some serious reductions in what things cost if you stay with local vendors.
Want to Know More Planning Tips Now That Weddings are Back?
Now that weddings are back and more and more COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted, people are going to want to throw big and splashy celebrations. But these splashy ceremonies can get expensive quickly, even for the best budgeters.
Knowing the best budget-friendly wedding ideas is a great start, but you might need some additional help.
If you are interested in taking out a small loan for your wedding this season, be sure to work with a partner you can trust. Echo Credit provides simple and convenient lines of credit. to see if you qualify.