Wedding expenses can add up fast and not everyone can afford to spend a fortune on their big day—that’s okay! There are still numerous ways to plan the wedding of your dreams while sticking to a realistic budget. Finding ways to save where you can, such as the time of year, venue, invitations, food, attire, and decorations will make all the difference when totaling up the final cost of your wedding. Below is a list of ways to help you plan your dream autumn wedding while sticking to a budget.
Establish a Budget
Before you start diving into the exciting planning process, it’s important to establish a budget you can stick to. Sit down with your partner and discuss the vision for your big day. Once you have an aesthetic in mind, set a maximum spending number. The next step is figuring out how you’re going to pay for these expenses. If family members or friends are offering to help out, have the talk ahead of time, so you know exactly what they’re willing to pitch in. Consider navigating other ways to help cover the costs that are safe and not going to potentially hurt your credit score or finances as well. One flexible option for homeowners is a line of credit loan borrowed against your home’s equity. This allows you to safely borrow as much money as you’ll need to help cover the cost of the wedding, while only paying interest on what you borrow. Another way to start saving for your big day is to set money aside each month from your paychecks. If you start contributing to a wedding fund well in advance, you’d be surprised how much money you’ll save ahead of time.
Pick an Off-Peak Date
The time of year and day you plan to have your wedding can make a massive difference in the price. Although fall is not considered an “off-season” time, the weather is changing which may affect your indoor or outdoor ceremony and reception plans. Hosting a Sunday afternoon or evening wedding in September or October could be ideal for your budget. Other expenses, such as rentals, food, or entertainment might also offer a discounted price for a weekday or Sunday evening in the fall.
Choose a Venue
Selecting an elegant venue does not have to break the budget. There are many beautiful places you can host your reception that still offer beautiful scenery without costing a fortune. When choosing to have your wedding day in the fall, you might want to find a venue that offers indoor-outdoor accommodations. With the leaves changing and the cool crisp air of Autumn, you don’t want to miss out on the potential natural backdrop of an outdoor wedding. Locate a few options that you’re considering booking for your wedding and compare the prices, packages, and accommodations they all have to offer. If you’re interested in a rustic wedding vibe, a barn venue might be just what you’re looking for. One thing to note is if you fall in love with a venue that’s a little more pricey than you were hoping for, you can accommodate those changes somewhere else in your budget if necessary.
Go Paperless with The Invitations
Wedding invitations can be costly, especially if you plan to have a large guest list. To save on the costs of having your invitations printed, consider looking into online templates or digital wedding invitations. The new virtual wave of wedding invitations will not only cut costs, but it’ll be easier for your guests to RSVP through email or social media. You’ll also be able to design and edit your invitations exactly how you want them to look. Once they’re complete, copy and paste the link to share with your guests.
Skip The Expensive Menu
The first thing to decide when selecting the menu is what serving style would best fit the space, budget, and formality of your reception. Buffet style and family style might be the most cost-efficient for dinner styles. Next, consider the time of year in which you’re planning your wedding and incorporate seasonal options on the menu. You can even include seasonal cocktails for the reception, such as a hot toddy, spiced Moscow mule, or spiked apple cider. Once you have an idea of how much you can afford to spend on the food and drinks in your budget, select a few options your guest can choose from. Don’t forget to include dietary options, along with choices for food allergies. If you decide to go with a plated meal, include the options for your guests to select on the invitations. If you’re going with a buffet or family-style dinner, you can still include the menu on the invitation, so your guests can see it ahead of time and plan accordingly if needed.
Shop The Sale Rack
Nowadays, wedding attire can cost a fortune. You might be asking yourself, “How do I buy a wedding gown without breaking my budget?” Don’t worry, there are many ways to find a beautiful dress that fits within your price range. Skip the boutique and find a local consignment store that sells gently used wedding dresses. Buying a secondhand dress will look flawless for half the price. If buying a used dress is not for you, search for a blowout sale. The sale will most likely consist of dresses that are from last year’s inventory, small snags, or little imperfections that are easy to fix. If family members or friends are willing to pitch in, the dress might be a great use of the extra help, so you can get the dress of your dreams without breaking your budget.
Get Crafty with The Decor
Wedding decorations, such as centerpieces, flowers, and signs are all easy and accessible to make on your own. Start by finding ideas and inspiration for easy DIY wedding decorations you can make yourself at home. When hosting an autumn wedding, try to incorporate seasonal flowers in the centerpieces, such as sunflowers, mums, fountain grass, or black-eyed Susans. For the vases, don’t forget to check out local thrift stores for discounted pieces on glass jars for the floral centerpieces. If you’re looking for a rustic, farm-house wedding aesthetic, consider adding distressed hay bales around the venue and layering pumpkins and mums around it. Just by cutting back on expensive wedding decorations, you’ll be able to save a ton and utilize that money in the budget somewhere else.
