Top 3 Most Expensive Wedding Costs and How to Save Big
The Venue
A beautiful garden filled with roses, the most beautiful and historic church in the state, and that picturesque estate that looks like something out of an old romance novel are all going to cost you a pretty penny. The venue will by far be the most expensive cost of your wedding, but it doesn’t have to be outlandish. A few tips to get a better deal include booking early when prices are low, booking in the off-season (just before or after summer), and picking any day other than Saturday. But who says you have to rent out a venue? If you know someone with a large yard or a gorgeous house, why not have an intimate backyard wedding? A smaller venue means a smaller guest list, and with fewer guests you’ll save on all the associated costs (food, drinks, decor, favors, etc). Another great trick is to have both the ceremony and reception at the same venue to possibly get a discount and cut down on transportation costs.
The Dress
We can’t all have a $25,000 designer wedding dress. For those of us in the real world, even the average $1,000 spent on a wedding dress is a lot of money. If you don’t feel like the dress is the glue holding the whole ceremony together, there are many ways you can save. First, who says you have to have a big fancy white gown? Your dress can be blue, pink, long, short - as long as you’re happy, it doesn’t matter. For the bride who’s ready to ditch tradition, there are far more options, like getting a dress that serves as a good base and adding to it (as long as you feel confident in your abilities to DIY). You can also find a white dress at a formal wear store and accessorize appropriately to create your unique bridal look.
For those who still want the white dress look, there’s a huge market for used (like new, really) wedding dresses. Think about it - chances are, the dress has only been worn once! Any talented seamstress can alter a like-new dress to make it perfect for you. Another source of used dresses is friends and family. Love your best friend’s dress, or want to honor your mother by wearing her wedding gown? It never hurts to ask if you can borrow someone else’s dress.
Engagement Rings
One of the biggest “ouch” moments comes before the wedding planning even begins. Most of us immediately think of diamonds when considering engagement rings, but the value of diamonds is shockingly overstated. We’ve already talked about why you shouldn’t buy an expensive ring - to sum up, think of all the things you could do if you bought a beautiful ring with a price that hasn’t been inflated by a carefully controlled market. Modern Gents is proud to offer affordable engagement rings that don’t look like they’re inexpensive. Gorgeous simulated diamonds, colorful halo designs, and masculine yet classic wood and metal rings are all available at prices that make it easier to say, “I do.” By saving on the engagement ring, you’re free to spend more on the wedding and honeymoon, or save for your life as newlyweds.
Weddings symbolize a beautiful commitment, but sometimes our society clouds the beauty by making it all about appearances. As long as you’re marrying your best friend in front of the people you care about, what do the details matter? Happy planning! 💍💕