Wedding Planning on a Budget? Don't Stress!

Wedding planning can be a daunting task, especially when you're wedding planning on a budget. However, we have some suggestions on where to save and where to splurge to create the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank.

So far, in 2018, theaverage age of American men and women getting married is 28.5. This age range falls into the millennial generation. Although millennials have the reputation of being overly-sheltered, entitled and needy, many are faced with expenses that previous generations never needed to consider.

Between student loans, buying a first home and investing in retirement, millennials are stretched financially and are always looking for ways to save.

One opportunity to save, is to consider having a wedding that doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket! Sure, people can look to Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration to plan the wedding of their dreams.

However, the reality is, most need to determine where they cansplurge on their wedding expenses, and where the can save. Here’s a list of five ways to plan your wedding on a budget:

1. Say yes to the dress

One of the first steps the bride-to-be needs to make is finding the perfect dress for the big day.Most brides spend $1,050 on their wedding dress. Depending on your budget, this may be out of range.

Luckily, there are a number of options to source used wedding gowns or purchase older styles at a discounted rate. You can even find a variety of gorgeous white dresses that aren't labeled as wedding dresses, which are typically at a much lower price than dresses labeled as wedding dresses.

2. Stocking the bar yourself

The majority of venues will give you the option to stock the bar yourself. This will provide the flexibility of choosing exactly what you’d like to serve, while staying within your budget. Y

ou’ll most likely be buying in bulk, so be sure to head to your local beer and wine distributors to see what options they have. Be sure to buy enough so the bar doesn’t run dry! Worst case scenario is you have leftovers to enjoy after the wedding.

3. Donations in lieu of wedding favors

The traditional wedding planner would nix this idea immediately. Nowadays, couples are opting for this route for a few reasons. The funds will go towards a charitable cause in need that has a connection to the bride and groom. It makes for a personal experience that each guest can be a part of.

This donation will also allow the bride and groom to completely control the budget and donate the funds accordingly. The extra bonus of this is feeling good about donating, and cutting the cost of favors from your budget.

4. Get creative with your centerpieces

As the must-have list continues to grow, you have to consider ditching the exuberant floral centerpieces. You canspend upwards of $400 on completely floral centerpieces...per table! This number can add up quickly.

To avoid this huge expense, seekinspiration for DIY centerpieces that include a combination of flowers, candles, and other decor. Find a combination that will work best for your theme and budget!

5. Venue Reservation

It’s no surprise that reserving the venue is one of the most expensive components to planning your wedding. Theaverage cost of booking your venue will be between $2,700-$10,500. To help stay on the lower end of that budget, follow these pro tips:

• Book the venue in the off-season because the rates will lower significantly.
• Use arewards credit card that will maximize cash back on your payment.
• Consider the time of day your wedding takes place as most prices will vary.

Planning a wedding on a budget can be a daunting task. However, if you shop around on your venue, dresses and decor, you can often find a deal that will help you cut costs and keep you from breaking the bank.