Simple Tips to Plan a Frugal Wedding
Did you know that the average cost of a wedding is $26,800? I don’t know about you, but if my husband and I had shelled out that type of cash, we’d be living in my Mom’s basement trying to recuperate. I get it… we want our weddings to be spectacular, special, a moment to remember. But, if we spend so much money that we’re starting off our marital bliss in debt, was it really worth it?
That’s why we decided to plan a frugal wedding.
I’m not saying you can’t splurge here or there, and I’m certainly not saying that if you have the means to go all out that you shouldn’t. But, if you could save even a few hundred dollars, wouldn’t that make your day even more special?
Frugal vs. Cheap
Before I jump into the ideas I came across, I thought it would be ideal for me to talk with you about the difference between frugal and cheap. There’s this common misconception that if you plan a frugal wedding, you’re being cheap. However, the definition of frugal is “sparing or being economical with financial resources.”
I think US News put it best… “being cheap is about spending less money, whereas, being frugal means to prioritize your spending so that you can spend more on the things you care about.”
Frugal Wedding Tips
Now that you have that clarification, let’s take a look at some easy ways to prioritize your spending:
- Shave Down that Guest List.
One of the most challenging parts of budgeting for your wedding is the guest list. You want everyone who’s involved in your life to be there for the special occasion. But if you’re shelling out $50-75 per head, you really have to ask yourself, “Do they really need to be there?”
I’m not saying to exclude key people like your parents or grandparents, but you don’t have to invite EVERYONE from the office, all of your friends from high school, and so forth.
- Ask for Help in Lieu of Gifts.
Instead of a wedding registry or asking all of your guests for wedding gifts, why not ask them to pitch in with the wedding costs by lending a helping hand?
For instance, I had a co-worker who specialized in photography and makeup. Instead of her giving me cash or something from the registry, I asked if she’d be willing to do the makeup and take the wedding photos. She was thrilled! It helped to brand her business while saving me several hundred bucks on a photographer and makeup artist.
These are just a few of the tips to help you save money on your wedding. You can have a frugal wedding that is better than you ever imagined.
Just be creative, and you’ll be shocked at how much money you can save!
