Weddings are dreamy , and they must look dreamlike when solemnized. But, planning your dream wedding can burn a big hole in your pockets. Our parents spent major part of our lives earning and saving up for the big day, but spending it without planning isn’t a good idea. Indeed, there are several ways you can plan an incredible wedding within a budget, at the same time keeping your guests happy and utilizing those extra bucks for your honeymoon or for other paraphernalia.
So here are some ways you can plan your wedding within your budget.
Envision Your Wedding
The first and foremost thing is to envision your wedding. Sit together with your family and plan what kind of wedding are you looking forward to? Some may want an outdoor wedding, house wedding, destination wedding etc .
Fix a budget and Stick to It
The second, but most important for planning a wedding is to set the budget and stick to it. Just setting the budget won’t help, you need to stick to it any costs. Many times, people go overboard with their wedding budget, which leads to increase in the overall expenses on the wedding. In weddings , your expenses are bound to increase with money flowing out here and there on petty items. So fix a budget in advance.
Prioritizing is the Key
Make a list of everything, prepare a diary or spreadsheet and write down all the wedding details from functions to guests, venue photographers and everything that you need. Once you are done listing prioritize on the basis of what’s more important . For some decor may be important for others maybe guests are more important.
Research
Before splurging into anything research and be open to number of options. If your cousin got married at xyz hotel , doesn’t mean you follow the clue. Put Your family , friends and offcourse yourself on research look out for alternatives, suggestions and options.
Prepare the guest List
Prepare the guest list in advance so that you can make the arrangements accordingly, if possible cut down your guest numbers . Once you have a guest list ready , you can plan for the staying arrangements , travel arrangements if any, invitations etc.
Hand-Pick the Venue
You have envisioned your wedding , so be very careful in picking the venue. Sometimes looking at ambience, you may want to select the venue, but keep in mind the wedding you envisioned. Also never book at once , look out for other choices and options too. If looking for an outdoor wedding , you can also hire a farmhouse instead of a 5-Star resort . This will let you save a lot the venue cost . If you are planning on a night wedding look out for indoor venues with good lighting as keeping weddings outdoor will cost you a lot on lightings. If you have enough space or garden area at home you can keep some functions at your own place too saving the cost of venue. Such as keeping Mehndi and Sangeet Ceremony at home and wedding ceremony at the venue.
Narrow down the functions
Generally an Indian wedding consists of functions such as Mehndi , Sangeet, Engagement Haldi , Wedding , Reception , Bangle Ceremony and so on depending on customs to customs. Though it is difficult to cut down on functions , but it is quite possible to place multiple functions on same day as this will reduce the cost considerably . E. G You can have Engagement and Sangeet Ceremony on the same day , and if a night wedding then Haldi and Wedding ceremony the same day.
Catering
Often seen at weddings, people are most interested in the food. So one need not cut corners here but plan wisely. It doesn’t mean to have a larger than life buffet spread across the entire venue. Choose minimum Buffet spread, but with some good delicacies which are not very regular at weddings and people will relish and savour too. Do not indulge in having all cuisines at one place and on one day, keep different menu for different days but with minimal spread . This will keep wastage at bay and also save on costs.
Book in Advance
Last minute bookings can cause you an increased expenditure, so book everything well in advance to avoid last minute price surge and hassles.
Shop at Sales
There are generally off-season sales every season, try shopping in sales . The wedding trousseau can costs thousands to lacs in regular seasons. So keep an eye on sales and research on options an d then shop. Buy only what you will be using and do not splurge on anything that you like, think practically. Bride-to-Be are often seen buying everything and anything beautiful that catches their eye. From buying expensive heavy sarees, jewelry and suits . Which later lie in their closets for years without use . So be very smart while you shop. Overbuying clothes may lead them to lie in closets later as fashion changes swiftly. Those heavy expensive jewelery will only be worn during marriages , instead buy something that you can wear on everyday basis .
Cut cost on Invitations
Adorned big invitation boxes land up in the dustbins , so think something more creative that has a lasting memory . Opt for wedding invitation websites or videos , this will give a more personal touch as well as save your paper and courier costs with a great margin. As a website invitation will cost you anywhere around 1 K to 5000k for unlimited guests and those invitation cards may cost you from Rs 100 to 500K per guest. This way you will save thousands of bucks.
Entertainment
Renowned and established DJ’s and announcers can be costly , lookout for some new talent and freelancers as they are yet to make their mark and can be very creative , you can also try out the traditional dhol for functions such as mehndi and haldi. Add some spice and make it interesting by having friends compare for your wedding and also perform on certain dance numbers . This will keep the guests entertained and also add more emotional touch to the wedding festivities.
Photographers and Cinematographers
This is one segment where you should not consider cutting down as these will be the only memories that you will have lifetime with you. These memories will make you relive your big day all over gain. There are photographers available on various budgets. Check out for the best photographers and compare the prices, see some samples and choose the best that is in your budget. Try and negotiate on prices as they are little flexible on the same. One important thing to keep in mind is to have an open communication with the photographer. It is very important to communicate with them as you need to be comfortable in posing and also he should be aware of your expectations.
Be Smart and Practical
The last thing in planning a budget wedding is to think smart and be practical. Think practically and not be carried away with exorbitant items and venues. The one thing that is most important in the weddings are the ones you love , be considerate and smart enough in your choices , so that your family doesn’t shell out all that they have to make you happy.
Do not worry over small things that go wrong, as nothing is perfect and despite all the efforts something here and there does go wrong . Instead enjoy the moment and turn it into a beautiful memory and a tale to smile later.
Enjoy your wedding planning and walk out in style with a big smile.