Weddings are an opportunity to celebrate your love with the people who matter most. You’ll want everything about the day to be perfect, as the memories you make on this special occasion last a lifetime.
Though your dream wedding is never going to come with a bargain basement price tag, you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy truly spectacular nuptials. With a little bit of careful planning, and a few clever budget saving moves here and there, you can ensure your stunning wedding day doesn’t put too much of a dent in your finances – all you need to do is work out where to save and where to splurge.
Save: The cake
A professionally baked wedding cake can put a serious hole in your wedding budget. Instead of forking out for a pristine sponge, why not ask around to find out if any of your friends and family are confident bakers and get them to whip you up a delicious home made cake?
Splurge: The drinks
At the end of an action-packed wedding, most people won’t remember how many tiers the cake had or whether it was topped with buttercream or fondant. However they will remember if there was a paid bar.
When it comes to the party of a lifetime, the drinks are definitely one thing to splurge on. Avoid a cash/card bar if possible as, Brides magazine says, “Guests shouldn’t have to shell out for anything at a wedding reception”. Make sure there’s plenty of wine throughout dinner, but also ensure you serve plenty of bottled water, tea and coffee to avoid guests becoming too merry.
Save: Wedding favours
Giving small gifts to your guests is a lovely tradition, but it’s one that isn’t always necessary, especially if you’re trying to stick to a tight budget. Instead of shelling out on token presents, why not box your cake up and give it out as wedding favours at the end of the night?
Splurge: The Venue
The venue is one of the most important aspects of your wedding day. It will have an impact on everything from the atmosphere to the photos, so make sure you reserve a healthy chunk of your budget to secure the perfect spot.
Save: Hair and makeup
Though it can be tempting to splash out on professional hair and makeup, if you have a friend who’s handy with a hairbrush or brilliant with blusher, recruit them for a few hours in the run up to the ceremony. Not only will this help take the pressure off of your finances, it will also give you more control over how you look on the day.
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