How to Wisely Spend a Limited Wedding Budget

How to Wisely Spend a Limited Wedding Budget

Weddings can be rough. From picking out the guest list, venues, caterers, photographers, gift registry, and all the other items on that expanding to-do list that keeps piling up between the moment that special someone said “yes” to when they finally say “I do” – well, it can all be just a tad bit overwhelming. Anyone you’ve ever known who’s already gotten married will likely tell you the same: weddings are complex and stressful and, frankly, quite expensive! And if you’re like most people, you don’t necessarily have that much money to burn. We hope that this How to Wisely Spend a Limited Wedding Budget post inspires you. 

How to Wisely Spend a Limited Wedding Budget

Still, the societal expectation is your big day be BIG, no matter what your wallet has to say on the topic, and it’s not entirely unfounded. After all, it is your big day, something you and your soon-to-be spouse will look back to for the rest of your lives – hopefully, without regrets… Just because you’re on a pretty tight budget doesn’t mean you have to skimp on everything. The key to planning your wedding on a budget is to be decisive. Pick one or even a few things you and your fiance could not do without. Whatever they may be: that fantastic caterer, the open bar, or even that dreamy venue, for example. These things will be your focus.

Next, pick a couple of things you’re willing to sacrifice. Ideally, these are relatively high-ticket items that may not necessarily be missed on your big day. Bonus points if you can find cheaper alternatives to wedding party gifts and party favors that are creative or can even still hold sentimental value. A great example is floral arrangements and other decor. They can be expensive and will likely just end up in the trash.

Meanwhile, for the cost of a few pizzas and some crafting supplies, you, your families, and your entourage can easily take care of these things. These are pretty simple things that you can do to save money, allowing you to splurge on other things for your wedding. 

Another great way to save money is to find affordable wedding rings and bands for the bride and groom. Traditional wedding rings are often quite expensive. On average, couples in America will spend nearly $2,000 on their rings alone. If you’re on a tight budget, this can eat away a good chunk of your money, leaving you with far less to work with. Even worse, after your big day, your wedding ring can end up being reasonably inconvenient to have in your day-to-day life. Gems will get scuffed, and gold is malleable. Settings will warp, and, inevitably, you may lose a few stones if you’re not careful.

If you go to the gym, you’ll want to take it off. If you work with your hands or have a job that requires you to wear gloves, you’ll want to take them off. If you are cooking and handling raw meat, you’ll want to take it off. With all these instances where you’ll be removing your wedding ring comes all sorts of opportunities for your ring to get lost – or, considering its value, stolen!

Nowadays, there are countless alternatives to the traditional wedding ring that are both affordable and work well in the hustle of your day-to-day life. Not only that, but they are even stylish and just as beautiful as the traditional ring, all while having their elegant flair. You can get them in a wide variety of materials such as silicone, tungsten, and even sterling silver at a fraction of the cost of what you would pay for a traditional ring. You can even choose your favorite stones for an added personal touch.

Ultimately, you don’t need to spend a fortune to make your wedding day something special. It can still be just as unforgettable and unique if you’re willing to take the time to prioritize what’s essential and research your alternative routes for things that are not.

Weddings can be rough. From picking out the guest list, venues, caterers, photographers, gift registry, and all the other items on that expanding to-do list that keeps piling up between the moment that special someone said “yes” to when they finally say “I do” – well, it can all be just a tad bit overwhelming. Anyone you’ve ever known who’s already gotten married will likely tell you the same: weddings are complex and stressful and, frankly, quite expensive! And if you’re like most people, you don’t necessarily have that much money to burn.

Still, the societal expectation is your big day be BIG, no matter what your wallet has to say on the topic, and it’s not entirely unfounded. After all, it is your big day, something you and your soon-to-be spouse will look back to for the rest of your lives – hopefully, without regrets…

Just because you’re on a pretty tight budget doesn’t mean you have to skimp on everything. The key to planning your wedding on a budget is to be decisive. Pick one or even a few things you and your fiance could not do without. Whatever they may be: that fantastic caterer, the open bar, or even that dreamy venue, for example. These things will be your focus.

Next, pick a couple of things you’re willing to sacrifice. Ideally, these are relatively high-ticket items that may not necessarily be missed on your big day. Bonus points if you can find cheaper alternatives to wedding party gifts and party favors that are creative or can even still hold sentimental value. A great example is floral arrangements and other decor. They can be expensive and will likely just end up in the trash.

Meanwhile, for the cost of a few pizzas and some crafting supplies, you, your families, and your entourage can easily take care of these things. These are pretty simple things that you can do to save money, allowing you to splurge on other things for your wedding. Or if food is where you plan to splurge, consider fresh lobsters for the perfect summer wedding menu. 

Another great way to save money is to find affordable wedding rings and bands for the bride and groom. Traditional wedding rings are often quite expensive. On average, couples in America will spend nearly $2,000 on their rings alone. If you’re on a tight budget, this can eat away a good chunk of your money, leaving you with far less to work with. Even worse, after your big day, your wedding ring can end up being reasonably inconvenient to have in your day-to-day life. Gems will get scuffed, and gold is malleable. Settings will warp, and, inevitably, you may lose a few stones if you’re not careful.

If you go to the gym, you’ll want to take it off. If you work with your hands or have a job that requires you to wear gloves, you’ll want to take them off. If you are cooking and handling raw meat, you’ll want to take it off. With all these instances where you’ll be removing your wedding ring comes all sorts of opportunities for your ring to get lost – or, considering its value, stolen!

Nowadays, there are countless alternatives to the traditional wedding ring that are both affordable and work well in the hustle of your day-to-day life. Not only that, but they are even stylish and just as beautiful as the traditional ring, all while having their elegant flair. You can get them in a wide variety of materials such as silicone, tungsten, and even sterling silver at a fraction of the cost of what you would pay for a traditional ring. You can even choose your favorite stones for an added personal touch.

Ultimately, you don’t need to spend a fortune to make your wedding day something special. It can still be just as unforgettable and unique if you’re willing to take the time to prioritize what’s essential and research your alternative routes for things that are not. We hope that this How to Wisely Spend a Limited Wedding Budget post inspires you. Good luck!