Royal Wedding or Vegas? Keeping Your Wedding Costs Under Control

The typical cost of a wedding in the U.S. is over $33,000. ¹ In Canada, it is over $42,000. ² That is an expensive day by any standard.By contrast, that sum may be enough for a down payment on a first home or for a well-equipped, late-model minivan to shuttle around your 1.6 to 2 kids -- assuming that your family has a normal number of kids as a consequence of your newly wedded bliss. ³

Listed below are a couple of ideas about ways to produce your wedding day a special day to remember while still saving some of the money for other items (such as a minivan).


But at some point during any massive wedding, the bride or the groom -- or maybe both -- look round the well-dressed guests and inquire,"Who are all of these people, anyway?"

You are able to reduce the price of your wedding dramatically simply by trimming the guest list into a much more manageable size. Ask yourself, "Do I really need to invite that kid who used to live next door to our family when I was 6 years old?" Small weddings are a growing trend, with lots of couples deciding to limit the guest list to simply close friends and family. That doesn't mean you have to have your wedding in the garden while the neighbor's dog barks during your vows -- though you certainly can. It merely means fewer individuals to supply refreshments for and perhaps a less palatial place to rent.

Budget According to Priorities
Your wedding is unique and you want everything to be perfect. You have dreamed of this day your whole life, right? However, by prioritizing your wish list, there is a better chance to get just what you want for certain pieces of your weddingby choosing less costly -- but nevertheless okay -- options for the things that may not matter for you so much. When it's about the reception celebration atmosphere for you, consider putting more of your financial plan toward entertainment and decorations and less toward the food. Perhaps you don't really need a seven-course gourmet dinner with complete service when a selection of easier, buffet-style dishes supplied by your favourite restaurant is going to do.

Incorporate More Wallet-Friendly Wedding Thoughts
A composite of small changes on your strategy can add up to large savings, letting you have a memorable wedding day and still have sufficient money left over to enjoy your newfound bliss.
Consider a different day of the week. If you are considering getting married on a Saturday in June or September, be prepared to pay more to get a venue than you would any other day of the week or period of year. ⁴ Saturday is your priciest day for married, and June and September are both peak wedding season months. So if you can get your wedding , say, a Friday in April or November, it has the potential to trim the price of this venue.

Rent a holiday house -- or even get married on a boat. The smaller space will prevent the guest list from growing out of control and the encounter may be more memorable than at a bigger, more typical venue. Obviously, both options demand holding the reception in precisely the same place, saving money once more.

Watch financial advice blog . There's no requirement to have a full bar with every possible drink concoction and bow-tied bartenders which can perform tricks with the shakers. Odds are good your guests will probably be just as pleased using a smaller-yet-thoughtfully-chosen choice of beer and wine to choose from.

If you truly want to trim costs, you can get creative about certain traditional"must-haves," ranging from bypassing the blossoms (odds are that nobody will even miss them) to purchasing a gently-used gown. Yes, people actually do this. Online outlets like OnceWed.com provide beautiful gowns for a fraction of the purchase price of a new gown you'll likely never wear .

There's a happy medium between a royal marriage and drive-thru nuptials in Vegas. If you're looking for a memorable day that will not break the bank, try out some of the advice above to keep things classy, trendy -- and within your budget.