Take The Stress Out of Wedding Planning With These Money-Saving Strategies

As excited as you might be to get married, planning the nuptials is a stressful experience for most couples. There are so many things to get done in order to bring the vision of your special day to life. Yet, one of the most stressful parts of planning a wedding is staying within your budget. The topic of finances alone when it comes to wedding planning is enough to make your hair turn grey. 

While some stress when planning something so significant is to be expected, too much stress can lead to serious mental and physical problems. From headaches and sleep deprivation to anxiety and burnout, there are a lot of issues that could arise if you don’t learn how to manage your stress accordingly. 

Since money happens to be one of the biggest triggers of stress during wedding planning, learning how to save on your big day can greatly reduce the pressure you’re experiencing. Check out these effective solutions to keeping costs low and still planning your dream wedding. 

Select an Affordable Engagement Ring
Though not necessarily part of the wedding budget, the more you spend on an engagement ring the less money you have to dedicate to your wedding budget. There’s a lot of “rules” out there about the purchase of an engagement ring like it should be at least 3 months of your salary, but don’t believe the hype. You can find affordable engagement rings that are just as beautiful as those overpriced ones. At the end of the day, it’s about purchasing something your significant other will like. 

Get Married at Someone’s House
The wedding venue takes up a considerable amount of the budget. If you’d like to save some money on your ceremony, have the event at someone’s house. If you, a relative, or a friend have a decent size house that will accommodate your guest list or a nice backyard, take advantage of this. 

Go Digital with Invites
Printing and mailing wedding invitations can cost several hundred dollars. You can save yourself a lot of money by going digital with your invitations. They have invitations that can be designed and sent out via email or you can create an entire wedding website and provide your guests with a link. The website will detail information such as where and when you plan to get married, the theme of the wedding, reception menu, directions, and more. You can even manage your guest list by getting real-time notifications when someone has RSVPd. 

Do What You Can Yourself
Depending on your level of creativity, you can really knock out a bunch of wedding tasks on your own. You can make your own wedding favors, chair decorations, centerpieces, bouquets, dresses, and more. If you have friends and family that are equally talented, ask them to bring their talents to the table to help you out. 

Change the Time for More Affordable Menu Options
Feeding your guests is one of the biggest expenses when planning the wedding reception. If you can’t afford the full-course meal for dinner, consider having your wedding and reception mid-morning, or just after lunch. This way, you can have a breakfast or brunch spread which is a lot more affordable. If you have a reception just after lunch, then you can get away with serving refreshments and dessert only. 

Think Outside of the Box for Wedding Attire
When it comes to purchasing a wedding dress and/or tux, the numbers can really get up there. You can remain within your budget, however, by thinking outside of the box. Instead of going to a traditional bridal or suit shop, for instance, check out department stores in the formal wear sections. This is especially a good idea if you’re getting married around prom season or during the holidays where there tends to be plenty of dress and suit options available. You might also find some gorgeous vintage bridal attire by visiting consignment shops and second-hand stores. 

Wedding planning and stress go hand and hand. You’re trying to put together the celebration of a lifetime within a particular timeframe with a budget. While some stress is natural, too much of it could have you emotionally and physically exhausted by the time your wedding day arrives. The best way to cope with stress is to identify the underlying issues (staying on budget) and finding ways to resolve the matter (saving money). Hopefully, these ideas will help you find the financial and emotional relief you need to plan the wedding of your dreams.