6 Ways To Deal If Your Wedding Goes Over Budget

July 23, 2018

If you’re in the midst of planning your wedding and things have come to a screeching halt because you realize that the wedding of your dreams has gone over budget, hang in there. There is still hope.

It’s important to make sure your dream wedding doesn’t break the bank and leave you financially stressed. Many women spend a lot on a wedding dress they may never wear again. (I’m guilty: I can’t fit into mine anymore – though I have tried! – but even if I could, I’m not sure I’d actually wear it again.)

Ask yourself, once the excitement of the day is over, will we be happy if the price tag of this one day puts us over budget?

Here are some tips you can take to get back on budget and avoid paying off debt long after your wedding day.

1) Revisit your budget and determine where you went over. You have a budget, right? Go back and see where you maybe underestimated. Was it the flowers? Cake? Gifts for the wedding party?

2) Consider what’s most important to you and cut back on the rest. Don’t feel like you HAVE to have anything just because “it’s tradition.” People got married all the time back in the day without a limo or an aisle runner.

  • Spend on the stuff that will last, like a good photographer, and skimp on the fleeting stuff like transportation.
  • If you’re a foodie allocate more funds towards catering, but consider cutting back on entertainment.
  • If you couldn’t care less about alcoholic beverages, you might choose a less expensive alternative to an open bar.
  • Do you really need a parting gift for guests?
  • Will anyone really know if you cut back on flowers?

3) Leave “what’s her name” and “what’s his name” off the guest list. One quick and effective way to cut back is to simply invite less people.

  • Consider not inviting guests you really don’t have a rapport with.
  • Discourage your single friends from finding a random date by leaving the “and Guest” off invitations.
  • The “A-list” and “B-list” are a thing because it’s real — send your invites out to the most important people a little early so you can have a better idea of numbers, then invite B-listers only if there’s room.

4) Embark on a DIY (Do It Yourself) journey. This is where Pinterest comes in handy, although proceed with caution that it doesn’t derail you further.

  • Engage your creative side or ask a friend with a knack for decorating to help you with DIY décor.
  • You can save buckets of money by making things like your invitations, doing your own flowers or even making your own bridesmaid gifts.
  • Even better, consider asking a crafty friend to help out with one of these items as his/her gift to you.

5) Ditch that expensive venue. Barns became popular venues partly because they were cheaper, although nowadays the farmers have caught on. Let your love create the atmosphere rather than paying for a fancy location.

  • Search for a place that still has some bells and whistles, but is lighter on the wallet.
  • Try to find a place that’s all-inclusive rather than paying additional rent for things like chairs, a dance floor or even centerpieces. No one will know if the centerpieces aren’t unique to you, and nobody REALLY wants to take them home (besides maybe your mom).

6) Opt for a Friday or Sunday wedding when it’s less expensive. Many venues charge less for events on days of the week when they tend to be less busy.

The point is that your special day can still be amazing without breaking the bank or leaving you in an amount of debt that scares you. Staying true to what’s most important to you will keep you on track. Be sure you haven’t set yourself up for financial stress when all the excitement is over.