3 Genius Ways to Stay Within Your Wedding Budget | Curated Mint

To some, it’s a mystery why so many people want to spend so much money on their wedding. Naturally, people want their nuptials to be special, but in some circles, it seems like it’s almost a bragging right to boast about how many tens of thousands of dollars were spent on the most forgettable details of the big day.

Don’t completely cheap out ⁠— you don’t need to have the reception at McDonald’s. There really is no reason to go overboard unless you’re a billionaire. After all, there are better ways to spend your hard-earned money than on needless extras and unnecessary accouterments. Particularly as you’re just starting your married life, you can put that to use on a home, family, car or even a honeymoon.

Fortunately, more and more people are catching on to this trend, and smaller, more intimate and less expensive weddings are starting to become the norm. So don’t feel any shame and do it the way you want: fun, great and memorable but on a reasonable budget. If you stick to the following simple tips, it will be easy to have an inexpensive wedding without it feeling like a budget affair.

1. Find a Reasonable Venue

Naturally, many people want to get married in a cathedral and have the reception in an ancient medieval castle. But the location isn’t the star of the day. You are. So try to keep the costs down by finding a big outdoor space. Maybe you even have a family or friend who lives near a fantastic location near a lake or a beautiful forest. That can be a much better atmosphere than even the nicest banquet hall in town. At the end of the day, it’s about the “who,” not the “where.”

2. Keep It Small

Many couples feel a ton of pressure to invite absolutely everyone in their lives. While this is understandable, remember it’s your special day. You don’t need everyone there. Yes, there may be a little bit of interfamily awkwardness and you might lose the possibility of networking with some co-workers, but it’s not that big of a deal.

The best approach is to be absolutely honest. Just tell anyone who isn’t invited and who might be hurt, “Hey, we’re sorry, but we are keeping it super small because we just have other priorities right now for our savings.” Most people will understand and won’t feel bad about it. Plus, you can always catch up with them in a month or two for lunch or dinner if they’re important to you.

3. Go Digital

The modern world has given us so many benefits when it comes to increasing efficiency, and more and more couples are smartly starting to take advantage before their big day. There are now plenty of great options to create wedding websites that allow you to easily share all the relevant event details with guests. Not only will going this route save on costs compared to other options, it also allows anyone to quickly confirm the time, location, and other key info even if they misplace their invitation.

Even better, going digital with the announcements will allow you to share cherished moments with your loved ones to commemorate the occasion. You can add notes of thanks, photos, videos, and any other memories that will make the day that much more special. This way, your wedding day can live on long after the vows are said and the cake is all gone.

A Wedding to Remember

Creating a wedding to remember is not about how much you spend. After all, some of the most expensive weddings can sometimes turn into the dullest affairs you could imagine, while some thrown-together shoestring events are absolutely unforgettable.

Especially if you have a better use for the money — and who doesn’t, really? — you should be thinking about value and experience, not luxury. The keys are finding an affordable venue, keeping the guest list small, and going digital to save on costs and to cut out some of the hassle.

In the end, you’ll still have a great day with your loved ones and you’ll be doing your bank account a big favor. Even just by taking heed in these three areas, you won’t end up paying a fortune for your wedding.