All About the Benjamins: How to Maximize Your Wedding Budget

Today’s engaged couples have had more than their fair share of financial challenges over the last several years. From student loan debt to pandemic job loss or furlow, followed by general economic inflation as we head into a global recession. It’s enough to make anyone want to say “F-this! Let’s elope!“

While most couples still want the chance to celebrate their marriage with their loved ones in the way they’ve envisioned, it’s not always fiscally feasible due to a myriad of potential circumstances.

In these tough economic times, it’s more important than ever to stretch your wedding budget as far as possible. Wedding costs continue to climb and show no signs of stopping.

The average cost of a wedding in the United States is now over $27,000– that’s a lot of money! But don’t worry – we’re here to help.

In this post, we will give you tips on how to maximize your wedding spending and have a luxe wedding for less.

How to Maximize Whatever Wedding Budget You’ve Got to Work With

Follow our advice, and you’ll be able to beat inflation and have the wedding of your dreams without going into debt!

1. Start by making a list of priorities

What is most important to you and your partner when it comes to your wedding day? Is it the food, the venue, the dress, the photography?

For example, if the food is most important to you, then you may want to consider cutting costs in other areas like flowers or decor.

If you have your heart set on a particular venue, then you may need to be willing to compromise on other aspects of the wedding.

The key is to be honest with yourselves about what is most important to you as a couple.

Once you have your priorities straight, it’s time to start thinking about where you can cut costs without sacrificing your vision for the wedding.

2. Get clear on what you can actually afford to spend

The next step is to get clear on what you can actually afford to spend. This may require some tough conversations with your partner and/or parents, but it will be worth it in the end.

The last thing you want is to start your marriage off in debt because of your wedding.

Once you have a clear understanding of what you can afford to spend and what’s most important to you, you can start making some decisions about where to cut costs.

3. Cut anything that doesn’t align with your values, personalities, or preferences, or that isn’t important to you.

Now that you have a list of priorities and an understanding of what you can afford to spend, it’s time to start cutting anything that doesn’t align with your values or preferences.

For example, if you and your partner are both vegan, then there’s no point in spending money on a prime rib dinner for your guests.

Or, if you’re not overly concerned about having the latest and greatest wedding dress, then you could save money by shopping for a used dress or renting a gown.

The key is to only spend money on things that are actually important to you, so ditch the stuff that doesn’t make sense for you.

3. Sign up for a new credit card.

We know what you’re thinking – a credit card? Aren’t we trying to avoid wedding debt? We get it– but hear us out!

If you sign up for a new credit card with a good rewards system, you can actually earn points or cash back on all your wedding purchases. In fact, you could earn some pretty hefty sign-up bonuses incredibly easily with a few key wedding vendor payments.

You could swiftly swipe your way to an almost free honeymoon– how’s that for maximizing your wedding spending? Just make sure you pay off the balance in full each month so you don’t end up paying interest on your purchases.

There are tons of great rewards credit cards out there, so do your research! A great site for learning about the best credit card offers out there is Travel Freely. It’s completely free! And remember, the best credit card is the one that makes sense for you and your actual spending habits!

4. Keep your guest list intimate

Is your wedding budget total too low to execute your grand wedding vision? Consider having a smaller wedding or eloping! You can have a luxe wedding for fewer people for a much lower cost.

Not only will this save you money on things like food, drink, and venue rental costs, but it will also allow you to splurge on things that are important to you without blowing your budget.

For example, if you have always dreamed of a designer wedding dress but can’t afford it with a larger guest list, downsizing your wedding could be the perfect solution.

5. Explore alternatives to traditional wedding service providers

One of the biggest decisions you’ll make that impacts your wedding costs is the venue. If you’re willing to consider a less traditional venue, you could save a ton of money!

For example, instead of renting out a banquet hall or hotel ballroom, you could host your wedding at a restaurant, museum, or even your own backyard!

When it comes to wedding vendors to execute your day, it pays to take your time to find those diamonds in the rough. It’s likely they aren’t spending beau-coup bucks advertising on traditional wedding vendor directory platforms, so you might have to do some extra digging or ask for word-of-mouth referrals.

When it comes to catering, think outside the box; a food truck or a potluck dinner might be ideal for you.

The key is to get creative and think outside the box when it comes to your wedding venue and vendors. There are tons of great options out there, you just have to be willing to explore them!

6. Shop around for the best deals on everything you need for the big day

One of the best ways to stretch your wedding budget is to simply shop around for the best deals on everything from catering to wedding bands.

You might be surprised at how much money you can save simply by taking the time to compare prices and look for discounts. This goes for your vendors, but also for tangible things like your wedding dress, wedding suit, accessories, or even wedding party gifts.

You might be surprised at how much money you can save simply by taking the time to compare prices and get quotes from multiple vendors. The internet is a great tool for this, and you can easily search for coupon codes online in a snap. You know what we say around here, “Never pay full price!”

7. Don’t be afraid to get creative (or crafty!)

Websites like Pinterest are a goldmine for creative and crafty ideas that can save you tons of money on your wedding.

For example, you could make your own invitations, wedding favors, or even your own centerpieces. Or, if you’re not the DIY type, there are plenty of great ways to save money on wedding décor by simply getting creative with what you already have.

Get creative with your wedding décor – borrow from friends and family, go thrift shopping, or even upcycle items from your home to use as decorations for your big day.

And, skip the expensive wedding favors and opt for something homemade or meaningful instead!

The Savvy Takeaway

The bottom line is that there are all sorts of creative ways to save money on your wedding without sacrificing your vision or what’s important to you.

Whether you’re trying to beat inflation or just want a beautiful wedding without going into debt, these tips are sure to help you stretch your wedding budget.