Did you know that an average wedding in the United States costs over $28,000? The interesting part is that 81% of brides spend less on average than this amount. This means that there are some weddings that are extravagant (think Star Jones), while others are more modest.
Here are some great ideas to help you put together a wedding within your budget.
The average wedding dress costs between 10 and 15% of the budget. You can save tons of money by buying a used, new, or vintage wedding dress from an online auction.
Another 10-15% of the budget is spent on flowers. A flower is beautiful by itself. You don’t have to dress it up. You can save money by planning your wedding on a tight budget.
Consider reusing your bridal bouquet as a centerpiece for the reception. You can also use large quantities of baby’s-breath at the guest tables. You can also use fruit as a centerpiece for the guest tables.
In return for the wedding, offer to pay for a friend’s film. You can also embrace the “wisdom in crowds” by having disposable cameras available for guests to take candid and formal shots.
Many of your friends can shoot your wedding video, as today’s equipment is so inexpensive. These amateurs can save you tons of money.
It is possible to have the wedding at someone’s house, in a park or some other affordable location. Engage the catering manager to be a discount coordinator if you choose to have your wedding at a restaurant or hotel.
You may also want to think about the cost of the food at the reception when deciding on the time. Wedding brunches or lunches are much cheaper than dinner. A couple had a high tea for their wedding at 3:00 in afternoon. They were able to hire a friend to cook the food for $10 per head. A dessert reception at the end of the day is the most affordable type of food preparation. Consider having the reception in the church hall if you are planning a church wedding.
The most expensive dessert known to man is wedding cakes. Here are some ideas to make the centerpiece of your reception budget-friendly. Cupcakes are very popular right now. They’re easy to make, and you can even bake them yourself. Ask your local bakery if they can make cakes if you don’t want to deal with the hassle. Many do, and they are half the cost of independent bakeries.
You can make your own favors for a fraction of the cost. Make your own favors. You can make divinity fudge, wrap it in tulle and create candles out of seashells. These favors are unique and personal. They’re also very affordable.
