Easy Ways to Save Money While Wedding Planning

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There is no doubt that the cost of the average wedding is spiraling out of control. The good news is that smart planning and execution can help to blunt these astronomical costs. Here are five ways that you can save money on your wedding planning.

Be Smart with Rings

The engagement period gets started when you put that ring on your finger. By shopping smartly for these rings, you can start the wedding planning process off with extra money in your pocket. You will cut the cost of the engagement ring if you avoid the popular shapes. For example, round-cut diamonds cost significantly more than a pear shape.

You will also save on the total cost of your ring if you stay under the caret mark for each increment. For instance, a 1.95-carat diamond will run you significantly less than a 2.05-carat stone. Be sure to also protect your investment by purchasing an engagement ring insurance policy. You will sleep better at night knowing that this ring is protected.

Choose Your Date and Time Carefully

You will naturally pay more money for your big day if you choose a popular date. Saturday afternoons in the summer are notoriously the most expensive dates for everything ranging from the venue rental to the catering. By choosing an off-peak date and time, you will put yourself in a better position to negotiate a deal on nearly every aspect of the wedding.

Good months to look at include November, January, and February. You can also save money by going with a Sunday afternoon affair as opposed to a Saturday evening party. Lastly, going with a non-traditional venue is also a good way to cut costs while making your wedding more unique.

Go Paperless for Invites

The cost of wedding invitations can quickly break a budget. However, this is also an easy way to slash a significant part of your costs. Rather than going with the traditional printed invitation, take it to the modern age with a digital invite.

If you have your heart set on a paper invitation, you may want to consider making them yourself. You can find a number of do-it-yourself templates to help to guide this process. Or consider ordering classic printed invitations but making your own save the date or thank you cards. Every little bit will help.

Simplify Food and Drink

Do not fall into the trap of thinking that you need a seated and plated dinner in order for your wedding reception to shine. Be sure to ask your caterer about less expensive options. Good choices that generally cost less money include buffets and heavy hors d'oeuvres. If your wedding is earlier in the day, you can consider going with a light lunch instead of a traditional dinner.

Simplifying your drink options will also be a big help. Stick to beer and wine instead of feeling as if you need to stock a full bar. If you want to serve a mixed drink, consider coming up with one signature cocktail that you can offer guests. Another idea is to move to a cash bar later in the evening. Most guests will appreciate a few drinks on the house before they are responsible for picking up the rest.

Reduce Guest List

One of the easiest ways to save money on your wedding planning is to reduce the guest list. Especially if you plan on serving a costly amount of food and drink at your reception, the number of people that you invite will have a drastic impact on the overall cost of your event.

Do not feel obligated to invite every person on your social media contact list. Instead, focus on the people who know you as a couple. You can also choose to make the wedding an 18 and over affair if you want to easily trim the guest list. As a bonus, your wedding will feel more intimate and cozy if you are able to reduce the number of invitees.

Conclusion

You do not have to compromise the wedding of your dreams just because you are on a budget. Smart planning can help you to pull off an amazing day without going into debt as you start this new season in life.