When you’re ready to marry the love of your life and celebrate with friends and family, the temptation to go all out with a big, beautiful wedding may be hard to resist. From the bride’s dress to the venue to the reception menu, costs can add up very quickly. Frugal-minded couples may be really uncomfortable with going into significant debt to pay for a wedding ceremony, reception and honeymoon. It’s your special day regardless of the details, but here are some ideas for saving money.
No Frills, Just the Basics
In Canada, a couple can legally get married at a courthouse. You’ll need to obtain a marriage license in the province where you’ll get married, and the rules vary among provinces. For example, Quebec has a process that differs significantly from the others. There’s also a small fee associated with procuring a marriage license that is also location-dependent. Sometimes you just need to get it done as simply, quickly and cheaply as possible and pool your money for things related to your life together, such as a new home or family planning.
Everyone’s Not Invited
Marriage is a big deal for you and your soon-to-be spouse, but despite what friends and family members say, you don’t have to invite everyone. A great way to keep wedding costs down is to go lean when it comes to the guest list. Go with the people who are closest to you, which will lower your costs when it comes to venue size as well as food and beverage expenses. A website featuring video and photo of the nuptials is an affordable alternative for loved ones who don’t make the guest list.
Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is
Well-meaning loved ones, and various forms of media and entertainment, may try to dictate what is most important for a wedding, but the reality is that it’s entirely up to you and your partner. There’s no rule that says you have to invest a minimum percentage of your budget on a fancy gown or fine dining at the reception or the venue itself. Figure out what is most important to you as a couple on the big day and prioritize your budget accordingly. You can even take advantage of an online wedding budget calculator to help you plan.
Flexible Wedding Dates
Sometimes the date of your ceremony can make all the difference when it comes to your bottom line. There is such a thing as an off-season for weddings, and vendors and venues can be significantly less expensive. While a summer event may be the stuff of dreams, you may find that getting married in the cooler months is not only more affordable but also more accommodating to your schedules as well as that of special guests. Consider holding your ceremony during the middle of the week. There will be less competition for available dates at many venues, and hotel rooms are often cheaper for out-of-town guests.
Crowdsourcing and Fundraisers
If everyone’s on board, consider raising funds for your nuptials. This can be accomplished through an online crowdsourcing site such as Honeyfund.com, which can be used for gift registries and honeymoons. A stag and doe party is just one name for a long-time Canadian tradition of helping engaged couples raise funds for a marriage ceremony. This event is usually thrown by the wedding party, and money is raised through an admission charge, games and food and drink sales.
Your wedding day will be a special occasion regardless of the details and expenses. It’s never a bad idea to plan a celebration that you and your future spouse can afford. There are a number of approaches you can take to help defray costs while still making it a memorable event that you will cherish for the rest of your lives.