Planning your wedding is a big task that can take a hit on your wallet. There’s no denying it. BUT! We’re here to tell you that your wedding doesn’t need to break the bank. Whatever your budget, there are ways to be smart and ensure that those costs don’t blow out.
1) Have a budget
Wow, the first point of sticking to your budget is having a budget? Groundbreaking! But seriously, many couples might designate an amount of money (let’s use $20,000 as a hypothetical amount), without actually running some figures first. Having a budget means understanding a) what your financial limit is but also b) how to make decisions to stick within that budget. If you allocate $20k to the big day, you might need to understand that the private chariot or gold-plated cake might push you over your allocation early on in the process. Think about your absolute ‘must have’s’ and then determine a realistic budget that you can work within.
2) Shop around and be upfront
There are many wedding vendors to choose from, but the one thing they all have in common is their individual pricing strategies. Be honest with your budget allocation. Sometimes the vendor cannot afford to operate within your budget (and that’s ok!), and sometimes they can find ways to ensure you can use their services without spending over your allocation! YAY! Often vendors can tailor their services to make it worthwhile for both parties. Brilliant.
3) Support small businesses
Small businesses often have fewer overheads than larger organnisations . Which could be something that favours both your budget and the local community. Small businesses are the lifeblood of Australia and need our support more than ever. Find your favourite local supplier and chat to them about what they can offer you on your big day. We must point out – “small business” does not mean “less quality”. We know tonnes of single-operators at the top of their game and renowned within their industry.
4) Be thrifty
Costs for your wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, shoes, and suits add up quickly! Shopping for these items with a thrifty mindset could literally save you hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars. Do the boys have decent shoes that they can wear? (Honestly, no one is looking at their feet!) Need new white shirts? BigW has them for $20! Heels in the cupboard? Get them out! Not to mention shopping for second-hand dresses (from places like Still White) and suits which could see you save more than 50 percent. Don’t forget, there are also a lot of talented Aussie designers who make gorgeous white dresses for under $500 – think Alice McCall and Zimmermann.
5) Consider a mid-week celebration
It will come as no surprise that venues offer a discount to couples who choose to have their wedding on a weekday. This is a great way to save money, but you’ll also be helping your wedding vendors. COVID-19 has affected many industries, including the wedding industry. By planning your wedding for 2020/21 on a weekday will help these businesses get back on their feet after a long period of wedding-free weekends. If you do decide to have a mid-week wedding, it is important to give your guests enough notice to have their annual leave approved by the boss.
We are believers in budgets! We are known for keeping our client’s budgets in check – want to chat to us about how we can help you too? Give us a call on 1800 4 BESTIE.
K x
