Planning a wedding can be fun and exhilarating but it's also extremely stressful and time consuming. Whether you're planning a wedding for yourself or for one of your children the cost of the wedding will be a huge factor in determining your stress levels. According to www.costofwedding.com, couples spent an average of $25,764 on their weddings in 2017. From invitations to the venue to entertainment for the reception there are so many things to think about and pay for. Here are five ways that you can try to lower your costs:
Determine the Size of Your Wedding Fund
The most important step in controlling your costs is figuring out how much money you actually have to spend on the wedding. Putting expenses on a credit card (or two or three) so that your wedding creates a lot of debt is not a good idea and would be a stressful way to start a marriage. You don't want to be paying off your wedding (with interest) for years to come, so make sure you have enough in savings.
Scrutinize Your Guest List
Before you decide to invite literally everyone you know really think about how many people you can realistically afford to have there. Each added guest could end up costing you an additional $200 on average. Think about whether you're inviting someone out of what you consider to be your duty or because you genuinely want them to be a part of your big day.
Shop around for the Dresses
You don't need to buy the bride's or the bridesmaid's dresses from the first store you walk into. Really have a look around to make sure you're finding exactly what you want for a good price. Don't overlook the sales racks, and don't hesitate to ask if there's going to be a big sale on at some point soon.
Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Chances are you have some friends that could help out with certain aspects of the wedding which could considerably lower your costs. If you have friends who would be perfect for making invitations, doing hair and makeup, or providing entertainment for the reception ask if they would consider offering their services for the wedding instead of buying you a gift.
Negotiate and Compromise on Venue and Date
When deciding on the date and venue of your wedding being willing to compromise a little on what you want can save you a lot of money. Getting married on a day that isn't usually so popular (as in, not a Saturday) or considering having the reception in your home or backyard will lower your overall costs and give you some extra spending money in other areas. However, if you've found a venue that your heart is really set on try negotiating the price with them so it's more attainable for you. It can't hurt to simply ask vendors to work on the price with you.