The economy is tight these days, and money just doesn’t go as far as it used to. But a bad economy won’t stop you from meeting that special somewhere, and nobody wants to postpone a life moment like a wedding just because you don’t have as many resources as you’d like.
Certainly, there is a wide spectrum of possible wedding costs. You can get hitched in Vegas or at your city hall for nothing more than the cost of a marriage license, or you could arrange an extravagant destination wedding in a four star hotel overseas. But for those of us who fall somewhere in between, the goal is to keep costs low without making your special day seem like a low-budget affair. Here are some ideas:
Defer the Ring Cost
I know, we all want to have nicest and most dazzling jewelry possible. We want black diamond engagement rings and gold wedding rings to wear when we’re at the altar. But rings that are nice require a good chunk of money – money that may be better spent on your wedding or your honeymoon. For cash-strapped couples, a good alternative is to buy cheap (and temporary) wedding bands which they can wear during the wedding, the honeymoon, and even for several months afterwards until wedding expenses are in the past and more money starts to come in.
Cut Some Guests
If your guest list is already small and exclusive this may not seem like a sacrifice-free budget cut, but most of us invite at least a few people to our weddings that we’re not particularly thrilled to have. Maybe they invited us to theirs, maybe they’re a friend of a good friend, or maybe – for whatever reason – we simply feel obligated. Ultimately there are people who cannot be invited to any given wedding, and it’s up to you to decide where to draw that line. If money is tight, draw it more rigidly. It’s your money and your special occasion, and a distant friend will probably understand.
Skip the Open Bar
Some of your guests may not approve, but an open bar is one wedding cost that adds up quickly. Instead of obliging those people that want to drink freely, you can provide wine at each table or maybe a limited selection of beer. It’s hard to have even a modest wedding without providing some food, but alcohol is no marriage necessity. If you’re choosing between downsizing your venue or making it harder for guests to get drunk, cut the beer cooler – you won’t regret it.
Depending on your specific situation, there are many other ways to cut wedding costs without sacrificing too greatly. Before just assuming that certain costs are obliged, think about whether you really need them on your special day. If you and your fiancé don’t need the expense, all your guests will handle its loss just fine.
