The person you love said YES! Congratulations!
But now the reality is starting to sink in. A wedding is an important event – and an expensive one to boot. The average Canadian wedding costs over $42,000. That’s a staggering number!
However, there are a ton of resources available to help you stay within a reasonable budget for your big day. With a little creativity and flexibility, you can have the wedding of your dreams without sinking into debt.
Here we’ll outline some of the best tips to save money for financing your wedding so you can start your marriage on a financially-stable foot.
Plan A Budget
Financing a wedding can be overwhelming if you don’t go in with a plan. That’s why your very first step is to plan your budget. If you have a set number in mind that you don’t want to exceed, then you can budget each aspect of the wedding accordingly.
For example, if you want to limit your wedding spend to $10,000, you probably don’t want to spring for an $8,000 venue. Make a list of every item you’ll need to pay for, and decide how much you want to spend on each one. This will give you a clear picture of what you’ll be spending, and make it easier to save up for the big day.
Enlist The Help Of Friends
Have a friend who’s a photographer? Caterer? Musician? Ask for help!
See if your friends will offer their services free or at a discount as a wedding gift to you and your partner. They’ll appreciate being able to contribute to your special day, and you’ll appreciate being able to save cash.
Rethink Your Registry
As more and more couples wait until their thirties and beyond to get married, registries aren’t quite as relevant now as they once were. You and your partner probably already have the basic household necessities you need – but what you may be low on is cash.
Studies show that cash registries are rising in popularity. While it was once taboo to ask guests for money, now it’s considered normal and sometimes even preferable. After all, it’s better to start a marriage with financial stability than with unnecessary kitchen appliances.
Trim Back Your Guest List
The fastest way to save cash on your wedding plan is to cut back on guests. Fewer guests mean fewer invitations, meals, venue seats and so forth. It may be a struggle but try to keep your guest list limited to people that you and your partner are closest to. Immediate family and friends should be at the top of the list. Your third-cousin Nora and your work acquaintance Jeff are probably not going to be broken-hearted if they don’t receive an invitation.
Try to keep a healthy perspective as you’re forming your guest list. Ask yourself these questions:
- Is this guest someone I truly love and value?
- Will they be missed if I don’t invite them?
- Am I inviting this person because I want them there, or because I feel like I must?
Remember, it’s your wedding! You have the right to invite – or NOT invite – anyone you choose.
Consider Your Venue
Venues can be a budget-killer, with the average couple spending upwards of $12,000 for their wedding venue.
To avoid this level of sticker shock, consider a nontraditional venue for your wedding. An outdoor wedding in your best friend’s garden. An indoor wedding at your parent’s church. These nontraditional settings are sometimes even more intimate and meaningful than a huge, overwhelming banquet hall. Don’t forget, it’s the memories that matter – not the location.
Do Your Own Decor
Never underestimate the power of Pinterest! If you and your friends have the knack for crafting, consider making your own bouquets and decor. You can find inexpensive craft and floral arrangement supplies at dollar stores, and with the help of online tutorials you can turn these inexpensive items into impressive centerpieces and decorations. You could even make it a fun wedding shower activity, so you have extra helping hands.
Get A Quick Boost with Speedy Cash
What happens if your big day is approaching and you find yourself running out of money for the wedding? There’s a solution for that too!
At Speedy Cash, you can get a fast, online payday loan to help you cover those last-minute expenses that are bound to pop up. You can apply in a matter of minutes and have your cash in hand the same day. And with our easy online applications and 20 locations across Canada, you can be approved from anywhere.
Apply online today, and enjoy your wedding stress-free!
