Indian weddings are fun filled, full of colour, dance and masti.. Hence, there’s no escaping the dreaded wedding budget.
It is a fact that the money spent on weddings have almost doubled up in the last few years. There are several factors that has led to this, eg- destination wedding, pre and post wedding photo shoots etc.
Also, the way in which couples choose to approach their weddings has taken a dramatic shift from the days of hiring your local community hall down the road to massive function venues in hotels, resorts, vineyards etc. It’s all about the ‘oh wow- this is amazing factor’ and creating something magical for not just yourself, but for your family and friends as well.
Decide what is non-negotiable.
Based on your predictions and calculations, take a moment with your fiancé to decide on your top five must-haves for your big day. They can be practical or totally frivolous: an outdoor reception, location of dinner, decorations, a live music, photoshoots —whatever is most important to you.
You can come up with your wish lists separately or together, but make sure you sit down and determine what you both really want. Let that vision be under your budget.
Limit your guest list.
To save money on your wedding, you may want to host a smaller, more intimate affair. If the number of people at your wedding isn’t important to you and your fiancé, try cutting your guest list by 20%-30% Or invite more guests to the wedding ceremony and host a smaller reception with your family and closest friends.
Host the ceremony or reception at home or outside.
An outdoor ceremony and reception in a place with personal meaning eliminates the need for an elaborate, over-the-top venue.
If you do decide on an outdoor event, make sure you have a good backup plan. Rain or even extreme heat can put a damper on your day, so just make sure you have plan B to cope up with the situation.
Plan in Advance
Book your venue, caterers, photographers, and decorators in advance since a spontaneous wedding season booking can make a mess out of your budget. You are really going to take a hit when you are about to snag a party caterer at last minute.
Do-it-yourself whenever possible.
You and your fiancé can save big money by doing things yourselves, but a word to the wise: Only DIY when you know the outcome will be worth the effort. And give yourself plenty of time to complete any DIY projects. Don’t leave anything for the last minute. Believe me, you don’t want to be up until 2 a.m. the day of your wedding frosting cupcakes or putting together table.
Cut Down on Decorations
This is one of the parts of your wedding planning that takes a heavy toll on your budget. To have a grand ceremony or keeping things minimal, all depends on you. Having a budget wedding does not mean that you have to keep things simple. Showcase your creativity in undergoing your decorations. Use affordable flowers and decorative items creatively.
Create a wise catering list
Since, food is the most talked about topic at any wedding, cutting down your budget would be dangerous to your reputation. As you know that from an appetizer till the dessert, everything will be taken note of by your guests and it would prove unfortunate if your caterers come up with tasteless and bland recipes.
In the end never forget that-: Your wedding is about you and your partner. And that will last much longer than one day of celebration. Through all of the wedding planning stress and dramas, remember not to lose the value of what truly matters. Spending a hefty amount of money on your wedding day won’t prove your love and admiration for one another, but it sure can leave you with an empty bank account. It is for sure possible to throw a budget-friendly wedding which is beautiful, mesmerising, enjoyable and most of all affordable!