Your wedding is one of the most important and memorable days of your whole life. You have dreamed of this moment since you were a child, and it needs to be perfect. But as you will know well, our childhood dreams of the fairytale wedding don’t often include budgeting issues. When the dream becomes reality, you might realize that the Cinderella wedding straight out of a picture book might be ever-so-slightly out of your price range. Is the only answer to compromise and have an average wedding on a low budget?
Well, sort-of. You might not be able to have your cake crafted by Paul Hollywood or hire Beyoncé to sing Halo as you walk down the aisle. But you do not have to compromise on beauty, class and style. Here are some tips on throwing a beautiful wedding on a budget.
1. The Dress
Have you ever flicked through couture wedding dresses on Instagram, then instantly regretted it because you know you can’t afford it? We’ve all been there. The dress of your dreams might cost thousands and be handmade for celebrities or catwalk models, but there is something you can do to wear a stunning piece which will wow your guests and make you feel amazing! You can buy a vintage wedding dress at a fraction of the price of a brand new one in a store, and have it tailored and modified to fit your exact taste.
Not only does this option cost less than a designer wedding dress, but it means you will have a one of a kind piece which nobody in the history of the world has ever worn. How cool is that?
2. The Look
Your bridal ‘look’ does not stop with your dress. There’s hair, makeup, nails and shoes to consider too! For their wedding makeup, many people decide to have it professionally done, in order for it to look perfect on their wedding photos. However, many brides find it disappointing due to the fact that the makeup artist does not know them well enough to match their perfect style. Do not be afraid to do your own makeup for your wedding! Nobody knows you better than you know yourself, so go for it.
3. The Venue
The venue can be the biggest bill you will face when planning your wedding. Hiring a five-star hotel or stately home can eat into your budget faster than you’ll be eating into your wedding cake. Instead, consider hiring a bespoke marquee which is easily customizable to your personal taste. This is a much cheaper option and allows you to really go for it with the personal touches. Unlike a fixed venue such as a hotel, which will come with a heavy rule book about any modifications you would like to make for your big day – a marquee is like a blank canvas for your wedding creativity!
Plus, a wedding marquee will be set up by the company, so you don’t have to lift a finger or have any stress on your wedding day.
4. The Decorations
Decorating your wedding venue is like adding the icing onto the cake. Allowing your personal style to shine through, you can transform a regular wedding marquee into a breathtakingly beautiful venue without breaking the bank. Here are a few tips for how to decorate your wedding tent.
The Little Things
Your guests will notice the little things which make your venue scream ‘You’. So, get creative. If you love a rustic design, go crazy with mason jars, bunches of wildflowers on each place setting, and handwritten name cards. If you are into a more pristine look, use white ribbon to decorate the place settings, and adopt a ‘less is more’ approach when it comes to the centerpieces.
Practicality Meets Style
If you are concerned about your guests being chilly in your wedding venue, have a few soft blankets available on a rustic stand for your guests to help themselves. If you are concerned about having a huge placard with the place settings made up, do it differently by drawing out a little floorplan on slate for your guests to find their places. For extra seating, you could cover basic benches in beautiful throws and colorful cushions for a gorgeous display that does not cost much at all.
Pitching In
Do not hesitate to lean on your support network for help on your big day. Hiring extra pairs of hands to set up the decorations and perfect every single detail can rack up your bills pretty fast. Instead, ask your friends and family to help create your perfect wedding vision using the materials you provide. It won’t look like a Vogue magazine shoot, but it will be perfect because it’s yours. Embrace the perfect imperfections of the day and you will find yourself relaxing, laughing, and finding beauty in all the ways your friends and family have decorated the space!
5. The Guest List
One of the biggest regrets many couples have about their wedding is inviting too many people. It sounds like a great idea – more guests, bigger celebration – but in actual fact, when the day comes, you will likely just want to spend it with those you love most of all. Let’s face it – your second cousin twice removed does not need a plus one! Minimizing the guest list and only inviting those who will make you smile when you see them is a better move. Not only will it help cut the costs of dinner and drinks, but it will also reduce the size of the venue, and it will ensure you have a lovely night filled with joyous friends and family.
Conclusion
Just because you aren’t a multi-millionaire who can throw a decadent wedding fit for a Kardashian, doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful day you’ll be proud of forever. Follow these handy tips and ensure you focus on what’s important – family, friends, and celebrating your love.
