Wedding budgets can be flexible

The leadup to your wedding day can be stressful enough; the last thing you need is exorbitant bills just to tie the knot.

“Budgeting involves a lot of open and honest conversations,” said Breanna Lingerfelt, Grandview’s event specialist, explaining how couples must overcome feeling squeamish when discussing money.

The truth is that you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to throw a dazzling wedding. It’s not about how much you spend but how much you spend wisely.

It’s a process that Lingerfelt says some couples start two years out. The key is to make sure everyone’s on the same page about who pays for what. 

Photo By: Michelle Raffery (@rafferty.photo)

“You have to decide if you’re going to pay for all of your bridesmaid dresses and pay for their hair and makeup,” Lingerfelt said. “Are you paying to rent all the groomsmen’s tuxedos, shoes and boutonnieres? How about their hotel rooms”?

When it comes to creating a guest list, a common mistake that couples make is underestimating how many will actually attend. An additional 15 or 20 guests over budget doesn’t seem like a big deal at first, but more people means more tables, which means more plates, decorative centerpieces and so on. Then you have to consider if everyone can still get a slice of cake. Should I get a larger cake and perhaps add cupcakes?

Remember that vendors can eat a large chunk of your budget, so take the initiative to shop around for quality that you can afford. Are you willing to spend thousands of dollars on flowers? Lingerfelt said not to underestimate the beauty of faux flowers, including its price.

What’s most important to you? Don’t be afraid to scale back on the wedding aspects that aren’t your priority. 

The best way to reduce costs, and perhaps the toughest, is to cut back the guest list. Or you can slash the catering budget. Lingerfelt said there’s nothing wrong with a bare bones wedding, with thrifted decor and a store-bought cake. Another option would be to slash the photographer’s hours, perhaps saving it for just the ceremony and after party. 

Lastly, ditch the wedding favors.

“No one wants your name monogrammed on something,” Lingerfelt said. “They're throwing it away when you leave.”