It’s easy to get lost in the weddings you see in movies or shows, but life isn’t as rosy as those depictions. People have bills to pay. Plus, a proposal may happen when you don’t have much money. This could be your second marriage, or you could be a mom. The following are a few things you should know that could help everything feel less overwhelming.
Receptions Aren’t Essential
Everyone knows that when you get married, you have a reception. But this isn’t a rule. The folks you invite will see the wedding ceremony take place, which is most important. The reception isn’t vital, so you can skip it. People who are a little traditional might find that statement controversial, but it’s the truth. If you cut the reception, you’ll be saving a lot of money since you won’t have to feed anyone. Of course, the other option is to have a smaller reception at home. You could have a few of your closest relatives where you can manage food expenses better.
Affordable Rings Exist
People can spend a lot on wedding rings, but that’s a choice. For a long time, people judged a person’s wedding, but people are starting to accept all sorts of changes to this tradition. Some people are opting for rings with more affordable stones, while others are buying used rings instead. Now, those who prefer something more traditional can still do that without spending an arm and a leg. What you could do is choose a lab diamond ring. The affordability of lab diamond engagement rings is matched only by their sustainability. That means you can save some money and help save the planet, too.
Skip the Honeymoon
The most important part of the honeymoon isn’t where you end up going. You two are more than enough to make this time magical, and you don’t have to spend much money on it. You can have a mini-vacation after your wedding. Choose a location nearby where you can get away for a few days, which should be considerably cheaper since you can probably just drive to this location. You could check out a small town near your home that you’ve never been to, or you could find a lovely bed and breakfast in a rural area near you. The honeymoon can be more affordable if you think outside the box.
Photographer for Hire
A professional photographer can be costly, but you don’t have to get one. Sure, you can have a couple of friends do this for you, which is risky, especially if you aren’t sure about your friends’ skills, but you can also hire a student. Most colleges have photography classes, so why not hire one of these talented students to help you take some pictures? Most of these students have their equipment, and you might find an incredibly gifted person. Now, these students aren’t professionals, so you can’t expect perfection. You might want to hire a few to make sure they show up, but this is an excellent way to save money.
Many Venue Options
If you’re going to be using a wedding venue, consider avoiding the popular options. Try to find something most people wouldn’t use for a wedding like a country club, local farm, parks, or recreational center. Some of these places will offer their venues at much lower prices. Some sites might even be free. The venue can eat into your budget, but you can avoid that if you want. Whatever space you see around your neighborhood, think of that space as a potential place. It doesn’t hurt to ask, and the worst thing that someone could say is no.
The money you save could go towards other things in your lives that are important. Your wedding is a celebration of love, and that should never cause a financial headache. Talk to your partner to see if they have some additional ideas on how to save some cash.