Budget Your Wedding - Master the Art of Cost-Cutting!

Weddings are all pretty and fun… until you start planning it and bills keep piling up! Well, the first step to cutting your budget is knowing what you want. Weddings, like any other occasion needs a detailed plan and you are bound to find unnecessary expenses, cheaper alternatives, and replacements that can help you save money without compromising on the elegance of your wedding or your wishes.  Want to know how you can do it? Keep reading!

Limit your Guests

Typical advice, but a very helpful one. We know what an extensive guest list can do to your bank balance. Yes, it is going to be hard to cut off some names you (or your parents and siblings, etc.) always wanted to write on your wedding invitations. But, hey! You now have the perfect excuse – Covid Restrictions! Opting for a minimal guest count could actually relieve you from added costs like extra favors, table décors, food and beverage, etc. In short, trimming your guest list will not just help you financially, but also give your wedding an intimate stir!

Opt for a Minimalistic Invitation Design

Did you realize that your bespoke wedding invitation design could be stealing a good portion of your budget? You may desire to stun your guests with a unique first impression of your event. However, the material and the intricate details of the invitation may cost you more than a minimal design. There are plenty of beautiful simple prints that are cost effective and can stay on par with your theme. So, try to tone down on those preferences!

DIY your invitations only if you have enough helping-hands to get them done. With your wedding looming over you, this is just going to be a stressful, time-consuming task to complete by yourself. So, be careful about getting them done at home.

You can also totally skip the process of sending out printed save-the-date and RSVP cards and go fully digital with your invitations! This would pretty much cost you almost nothing!

Do You Really Need Photos?

Just playing with you. Of course, you do! Your wedding photos are an integral part of your celebrations. These keepsakes will be the most significant of all, as they would represent the event in a physical form to take you down memory lane. We are not that cruel to advise you to completely eliminate your wedding photographs. But, what we do suggest is to opt for newcomers or upcoming wedding photographers instead of well-established personalities in the field. The photography industry is booming with new talent and their work is tremendously loved and praise-worthy!

Or, know a talented friend who owns a DSLR? Request them to capture the highlights of your wedding! You own a Polaroid camera? Use it to take some fun, unplanned pictures of your event and create a fancy scrapbook!

Geeshan Bandara, one of our favourite wedding photojournalists, advises you to skip all the printed tangibles like Thank You cards, enlargements and photo albums. You can always get them done later. The award-winning expert adds that you can book your photographer for a shorter coverage session to capture the highlights of your ceremony. Try to get a custom package designed for you and seek referrals through friends.

Reconsider your Cake Design

Luxury, bespoke cakes decorated with edible flowers, Swiss piping or handcrafted chocolates are all great but we are sorry to break it to you that the cake demands a whopping proportion of your wedding budget – only if it is an extravagant design. So, how to reduce the cost of your cake? 

Well, the baking industry is rich with many skilled pros, which means you can easily compare the prices of various cake vendors and opt for the most cost-effective of all. Additionally, opt for a minimalistic design because simplicity is the new favorite! Ditch the idea of a seven-tiered cake for a simple one or two-tiered cake. You do not have to fret over being stingy on this one because minimalistic cakes are taking over now! If giving up on the idea of a lavish cake saddens you, include some fake layers and serve slices of simple iced cake to your guests.

On a side note, consider serving your wedding cake to the guests instead of serving them a separate cake. This way, you spend only on a single cake. Or, eliminate the whole idea of serving cakes to your guests and offer them mini cakes or cupcakes as favors so that they do not miss out on the special treat.

Pick a Less Popular Date or Venue

The wedding seasons are full of back-to-back bookings and this may not work in your favor as venue costs will be higher. There is no chance of negotiating or getting any good deals during the peak season. So, you have got two options here if you want to reduce your venue cost.

One, pick a date that does not fall during the wedding season. Second, book a less popular wedding venue. The latter does not have to mean that your wedding will not be the way you imagined. There are several, beautiful venues in abundance. You just have to hunt for the one meant for you.

What more? You can even host your wedding at your own house or garden if you are looking forward to an intimate affair. You know decorations are always there to add that whimsical touch you need to any mediocre site.

Grab those Seasonal Deals

Watch out for those seasonal offers and sales during festivals. These are some of the best times to purchase your jewellery, clothes, fabrics, accessories and cosmetics. It does not only save you a massive amount of money but also makes shopping convenient and easy. You do not want to be rushing at the last moment to grab your list of must-haves.

This is also the best time to book your vendors because most of them are always very creative with their seasonal promotions. Wedding service-providers come up with some exciting and persuasive deals that you do not want to miss. Checkout the Brides Of Sri Lanka website for such amazing deals!

A DJ over Live Band

Needless to say Live Bands are more expensive than DJs. So, why not hire a DJ to play your music for your wedding instead of booking a live band that will usually take breaks in between their performances. You gain two benefits out of this. One, your music keeps playing non-stop. Two, you save a great deal of money. Additionally, you reduce the head count on food and drinks too, as live bands have more members.

Compromise on your Outfit

Okay, we are sad to say this because we know how much you have been dreaming about your princess moment in that dreamy designer gown. You do not have to simply give up on the idea of getting a beautiful dress. There is an infinite amount of wedding outfit designs and designers. Just because you are going to look through some affordable options does not mean you are not going to feel that spark with the special one. Hunt for your wedding dress as early as possible so that you can find one that fulfills your heart’s desire at an inexpensive rate and not settle for less.

Or, why not wear a pre-loved wedding dress? You could also consider wearing your mother’s or grandmother’s wedding dress if you place great value on sentiments.

Another way to reduce your wedding dress cost is by custom-making your outfit. Dhananji Jayakody, a notable designer in the local market, shares that a custom-made dress will cost less than buying a dress off-the-rack to modify it later on. Having a clear vision of what you want will help you spend only for the exact amount of materials that will be needed.

This over That

Skip the floral centerpieces for candles. Light up your location with dazzling, natural light to give you that warm, magical feel while saving your wallet from being ripped. You can also opt for artificial blooms instead of natural ones as they cost significantly lower. Also, pick flowers that are in season. If the flowers you seek are out of season during your wedding, they may have to be sourced from another part of the globe, which makes them expensive! Talk to your florist early to find out better options.

Furthermore, we know you will be investing in a good pair of shoes but why not get yourself something that can be worn again? This applies to your jewellery, accessories and outfit as well.

Plus, you do not need a lengthy menu to impress your crowd. Serve just a few exemplary dishes (for variety and options’ sake) and fill your menu with less-pricey options. Remember, the longer the menu, the bigger the spending. The caviar and gourmet entrées – no, no one will even remember those! The menu can be small and delicious at the same time. Moreover, informal dining is extremely popular around the world and the options are endless! Replace your seven-course meal with a barbeque party, cocktails only, breakfast or evening high tea!

Likewise, transport can be an overlooked expense as well. If you are not strict about getting down from a particular car, request a friend or family member who owns a fancy car to help you out on your wedding day. Unless photos moments are important for you, remember that no one will really see what car you arrived in, as your guests are already in the banquet area!

Wedding planners are expensive, yes! You can simply do your own pre-planning and drop the idea of hiring a wedding planner and book someone just for day co-ordination to handle your wedding day duties. It is way cheaper and more effective. 

Also, try not to overdo your favors. We know handcrafted soap bars, luxury ornaments, full booze bottles and succulent pots sound cool but it is a NO-NO from us if you want to cut down on your costs. Rather opt for less expensive treats like cupcakes, cookies, marshmallow packs, meringues, tea bags or to stay safe – hand sanitizers! Plants too, are less expensive, more meaningful and perhaps useful for your guests – if you gift herbs or fruits.

Ditch the Extras

Do you really need a sweet table, dessert buffet and candy station? If you have to sweat over the cost of these insignificant things, we think it is totally not worth it. You have to enjoy the celebrations instead of stressing over not being able to afford the extras. 

Ditch the full-fledged serving bar and have the bottles and chasers on the table – and surely your guests won’t shy away from pouring their own glass! You’ll save the extra decorations and bartender cost too.

Speaking of extras, did you think about how retinue costs can cause a dent in your wedding funds? Limit the number of bridesmaids, flower girls, groomsmen and pageboys to make retinue costs more manageable.

Use Brides Of Sri Lanka Discount Coupons!

While you are trying to get the best deals in town for your wedding, do not forget that our magazine comes with an extensive range of discount coupons offered by notable wedding vendors. You will find offers provided by designers, venues, event planners, cake artists, salons, transport services and much more! To know more about our vendors, check out our website or magazine directory. You get to save over Rs. 250,000 through our discount coupons alone!