Weddings On A Budget – How To Save Money When Getting Hitched

We all have a decent understanding that weddings can be an expensive exercise, but do you actually know just how much the average wedding costs in Australia? Slightly over $36,000, based on Australia’s Money Smart website. And that was in 2012! At present, it’s quite likely somewhere around the $50,000 mark. I suppose if you have wealthy parents it wouldn’t be a concern, but unfortunately many of us don’t.

Let’s admit it, $50,000 is a huge amount of money! You could purchase a business, place a deposit on a property, pay off your student loans, or perhaps travel the world! The truth is though, weddings are a celebration of two individuals who commit to devoting the rest of their lives with each other. Sure, we ‘d all like to have the wedding of our dreams, but we shouldn’t lose sight of what’s really important.

Whilst I’ve never walked down the aisle personally, I have a close group of friends, and two of them managed to pull off the most splendid weddings on a shoestring. Of course, it didn’t consist of extravagant bridesmaid parties and catering for 400 guests, but it was intimate, unique, and everybody who came had the time of their lives. If you’re planning a wedding on a budget and looking at ways to save money, then here’s how.

Location
There’s numerous ways to save thousands of dollars on your wedding venue. One of the most stylish weddings I attended was in the garden of a friend’s house. Other choices you could look into is hiring a local park for the day, or even the beach. The ambience is magnificent, you can customise your wedding to precisely how you want it, and the costs are extremely low. If you choose to have your wedding in a public location, just don’t forget to consult the local council and make reservations well ahead of time.

Wedding Date
While many people prefer their weddings on a Saturday, the prices of venues are far more pricey on Saturday than any other day of the week. Look into having your wedding on a Friday or Sunday where Monday is a public holiday. The time of year will similarly have a considerable influence on the price of your venue. If you’re dead-set on having your wedding reception in an indoor area, then organise your wedding date in winter and you’ll save close to a third of the costs for venue hire itself.

Photography
The price of a professional photographer will usually cost close to $4,000 for the entire day. With the remarkable specs of smartphone cameras nowadays, consider hiring a professional photographer only for the formalities and ask your buddies to take pictures over the course of your wedding. You can create a hashtag on Twitter and ask your friends to post their photos, ensuring that there’ll be an abundance of natural photos that mirror the true spirit of your special day.

Food & Drinks
If you really want to save money, then catering businesses are your prime target! They charge enormous prices and aren’t all that necessary. Think about organising your own food and drinks and don’t be afraid to go against the grain here.

You could hire a wood fire pizza truck that serves gourmet pizza, or look into hiring a friend to roast a whole pig in the ground and make the sides yourself. For me, there’s nothing better than a pulled pork burger with delicious sauce and cheesy smashed potatoes! Remember that most of the time, being unique is much more memorable than being traditional. Similarly, try to find a venue that permits you to bring your own alcohol. You’ll save a heap of money this way, and you’ll be able to arrange a significant discount when buying in bulk.

Don’t Borrow Money
It’s not uncommon for newlyweds to borrow money to finance their weddings, not realising how hard it can be to repay. Not only will you be paying for the wedding itself, but also interest on top of that, which can often times take years to pay off. If you’ve had a lavish wedding and found yourself in financial trouble, always seek financial advice sooner rather than later. The sooner you act, the more possibilities will be available. For any financial advice regarding your personal circumstances, talk to Bankruptcy Albury on 1300 818 575, or visit our website for additional info: http://www.bankruptcy-albury.com.au/