No two weddings are alike, even if you are in Las Vegas. The happy couple is always different and they each have the capacity to put their individual stamp on their perfect day. If you are having a large wedding, often the in-laws-to-be get in on the act too. A small wedding can quickly balloon to a huge financial expense when everyone finally gets their say. So, the trick to learning what to spend your money on and where to save it really falls to your individual tastes.
The Necessities
You should start with the necessities before you attempt to look at the luxuries. Some types of wedding expenses are customary and necessary. You will need to hire a minister or preacher to say the wedding. You will need to rent a space to have the wedding most of the time. You will have to buy a gown and a tuxedo. You will need to spend money on the engagement ring and wedding bands. You will want to capture your day with photographs. Many of these things are very important, not because they add atmosphere, but because they are a traditional way to bear witness to a lifelong commitment that you are both investing in.
You do have a choice on whether to have your wedding in Hawaii or whether it is held at a local church, and these types of choices do impact your wallet. So, even though something is a necessity, it can still have choices that can reduce your overall expenses. For some people, the expense of getting a 5-carat diamond engagement ring is a necessity, based on their romantic values. For others, a 1-carat diamond engagement ring is enough. Some people want the 5-carat ring on budget. They can spend a little time educating themselves on the 4 Cs (clarity, carat, color, and cut) to get a ring they like at the price they want. Maybe they can budget a 5-carat ring with lower clarity or a different color.
Only the couple will know what is more important to them in terms of the final product. Always look for creative ways to defray your expenses that don’t impact the final result. For instance, some online diamond ring vendors will knock 2 to 3 percent off your diamond engagement ring if you pay by money order instead of credit. Just be certain that you are sending your money to a reputable online vendor.
The Luxuries
One of the biggest luxuries in a wedding is the number of invitees. For every person you invite, you will have to have a bigger space and more food and entertainment at the reception. Smaller weddings are typically much less expensive than large affairs. If you elope, the expenses drop dramatically but so do the memories. So, it’s a question of balance. How many people require an invitation and how many are additional people you would like to see there but aren’t within your immediate circle of family and friends? Some people choose to limit their special day to personal relationships and keep the office associates separate. It all depends on how familiar you are with your office mates.
Now we start to look at things like the amount of flowers and decorations in the wedding. The more people you have in your bridal party, the more organization and planning the wedding will take. Even if you don’t buy the wedding party dresses or rent tuxes for them, you will have to show your appreciation by giving them some form of bridal party gift. This shouldn’t limit the vision of your perfect wedding, as it should be an once-in-a-lifetime affair. However, you may find a nice balance with having two or three bridesmaids and groomsmen, rather than an even half dozen each.
Other ways to save on the luxuries can be to plan ahead. Your honeymoon plans should be a part of your wedding plans. If you have a particular destination in mind, timing your wedding to take advantage of off-season rates or specials can be a dramatic way to save money without actually affecting the wedding ceremony itself. Look into taking advantage of frequent flier miles or using discount clubs or offers to get you some good deals on lodging at your destination. The money you save on your honeymoon can then be used to pump up the wedding event itself. Remember to be creative and have fun with your wedding plans.
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