Planning a destination wedding seems like a wonderful idea, to celebrate your most auspicious day. And when it comes to financial planning, at first all of this seems too extravagant. Worry not, we have you covered with some wonderful ideas for destination weddings on a budget. These tips will help you in making your most cherished memory even more enticing.
Destination wedding cost saving tips:
For all those brides who are looking for cost saving tips on destination wedding, we have some very functional tips which are truly worth utilizing. Planning Destination wedding, well the name itself looks like a prodigal affair, but some tips for destination wedding on budget will help you save on some good amount:
1- Plan your wedding budget:
The first and foremost point before beginning with your wedding plan is to check for all the finances which will add up to the wedding budget. You may like to check with your dads or god fathers too, for there may be some fund they are contributing to, for your wedding. Now calculate all those and reach a rough figure which will be the benchmark for budgeting further
2- Now come up with a spending plan:
The spending plan must be such that it allocates almost exact amount to each. From wedding dress to catering, destination, travel, lodging and decoration all of these have to be accounted and the funds allocated accordingly. This would be the maximum limit you would spend in each of these categories. This will help in not overspending on your wedding budget
3- Keep a marginal surplus fund separate:
Keeping a surplus pool from the already identified wedding budget is a great way to cover even your unexpected expenses. Last moment expenses sometime add up way too much, but having a separate fund to meet all those expenses is the right way to budget your affordable destination wedding
4- Now check all the destination wedding spots:
There shall be bargains in many of these options, you just need to identify those budget wedding spots and lay them in primary list. If you like a beach wedding its not necessary to go for Bahamas or Hawaii, Florida beaches are are also stunning and weddings can be affordable around. Pick at least 3 spots which fall within your budget and are wonderful in every aspect.
5- Now list down the guests:
Guest list must be prepared well in advance to understand the exact expenses on ceremony, catering and arrangements. If possible try to make a separate list of those who will definitely attend and those who may not be confirmed yet. The confirmed list must have all the finances as its budget and the unconfirmed list must be worked up further for RSVP.
6- Avoid weekend rush:
Weekends are expensive and crowded, so switch to a weekday as it gets affordable. Destination wedding will have everyone attending to be on vacation, so switching it to a weekday will help you in saving a lot of money. A ceremony hall on weekday may be 65-70% of the weekend price and the rest of the facilities also go by the likes. Specially the flight tickets, they are cheapest on a Wednesday.
7- Keep the dates open:
Don’t stick with one date when planning for destination wedding budget. Just keep 3-5 dates mind and work out exact expenses on each of the date. Whichever looks affordable and gets you bargains, pick that date. Be sure to check the weather appropriateness and then proceed
8- Remember state taxes:
State taxes may differ so plan accordingly. Also if you are getting married at a destination away from US, check out the marriage license requirements and expenses involved
9- Send “Save the date” cards:
This is the first official step to make your wedding budget realistic. The number of people who confirm their attendance are the actual expenses you would incur. And the ones wh are unsure will fall on the pool you made as surplus to meet your uncertain expenses.
10- Use local destination resources:
Don’t plan to ship or fly everything, check out the costs involved. If you see shipping from your own city as cheaper, then go ahead else get in touch with local vendors ta the destination and arrange them there.
11- For more savings team up with other bride:
Vendors can help you get in touch with other brides who have the wedding planned around the same day. Economic deals can be made when couples enter into collaborative agreements with vendors having two or more weddings to work for.
12- Do away with the farewell brunch:
Farewell brunches are just a waste of money as most of the guests would be busy in packing or too hungover to attend. Even event planners diss the idea of farewell brunch instead give them farewell gifts in advance. This would save money and prevent wastage too
13- Opt for digital invites:
This is not just economical but also an eco-friendly option. You can also design your own wedding invites thus saving a few more. This also makes the wedding even more special since you are doing it all straight from the heart
14- Remove the bread baskets and other extras from dinner tables as guests would hardly notice and its a waste of hundreds of dollars. Also pick those menu items which are tasty and cheaper rather than just being pomp and show with heavy expenses.
15- Get friends in place of officiant:
Yes the way Joey did for Chandler and Monica also Phoebe and Mike, having a friend do your ceremony is a great idea. Only if you have anyone who is ordained to get you married. This saves a good amount of money
16- Cut down on things which don’t make any impact:
Like the flowers which are not photographed or the tiers of the wedding cake. Pick simple and stunning options rather than complicated and expensive ones
17- Choose drinks wisely:
Limit hard alcoholic beverages to just cocktails and serve beer and wine thereafter. This will save a lot of money. Dinner also pairs well with beer and wine rather than the expensive cocktails.
18- Host a morning wedding:
Hosting a morning wedding can actually save you a lot more than organizing a dinner wedding could. From menu to lights to decoration everything gets reduced by half as the prices of brunch or breakfast options are lower as compared to an elaborate dinner meal
19- Make sure to stick with your budget:
Do not run over your budget as it is likely to get extra costs in many of the areas, but find ways to limit the costs rather than blindly paying them out.
20- Prioritize your spending:
Give priority to everything that entered your wedding planning list. And just go about giving as much value to them. Things which are at the end of the list must not be the ones you overspent your budget.
Conclusion:
Having a destination wedding on a budget is what we all dream. These destination wedding cost saving tips will help you plan your wedding without having to undergo a financial turmoil. Read ideas on cheap destination weddings here, to gain insights
