Say 'I Do' to Savings

Congratulations on your engagement! How exciting!?! 🥳

As you embark on the exciting journey of planning your dream wedding, it’s important to strike the perfect balance between creating a magical day and staying within your budget. At Celebrate with Rachel Louise, I understand the significance of making your wedding affordable without compromising on the magic.

Here are 5 tips to help you achieve just that:

1. Budget First vs. Wishlist First:

The initial step in planning your wedding sets the tone for your entire journey - instead of diving headfirst into envisioning your dream day, consider establishing a realistic budget first.

While it’s tempting to focus on all the things you desire, prioritising your budget ensures financial discipline (sorry, sometimes I do have to be sensible). While some flexibility is natural, having a budget to keep to will help maintain costs without sacrificing the essence of your dream wedding.

Identifying your top 5 ‘must-have’ elements (allocating funds accordingly) is a great place to start.

2. Cut Down Your Guest List:

The size of your guest list often dictates a significant portion of your wedding expenses. Limiting plus ones and carefully curating your guest list not only creates an intimate atmosphere but also slashes costs. By inviting only those you couldn’t imagine celebrating without, you not only save money but also open doors to more unique and affordable venue options.

Early decisions on your guest list will allow for better planning and, in turn, potential savings.

3. Become Best Friends with Spreadsheets, Planners, and/or Trello Boards:

Organisation is the key to a stress-free and budget-friendly wedding. Embrace the power of spreadsheets, planners, Trello boards and other tools to keep track of your to-do lists, monitor spending, list vendor info and record RSVPs. This systematic approach not only saves time but also helps you identify potential areas for cost-cutting.

If managing these tasks seems overwhelming, consider hiring a professional wedding planner (like me 😉) to handle the details and ensure a seamless planning process.

4. Does It Have to Happen on a weekend?

The choice of your wedding date can significantly impact your overall expenses. Consider shifting away from the traditional weekend wedding and explore weekday options. Many venues and vendors offer lower rates for midweek celebrations. Not only does this open up possibilities for a more unique venue, but it also provides potential savings that can be redirected towards other aspects of your special day.

Communicate your date well in advance through save-the-dates and invitations to allow guests to plan accordingly.

5. DIY Wedding Elements:

Unleash your creativity and explore the world of do-it-yourself (DIY) wedding elements. Thanks to platforms like YouTube, there’s a wealth of tutorials guiding you through creating guest favours, signs, flowers, and centrepieces.

With the right materials, a bit of skill, and some practice, you can infuse your personality into every detail without breaking the bank. DIY projects not only save money but also add a personal touch that makes your wedding uniquely yours. Just make sure you plan in enough time to create it all, it’s usually a lot harder than it looks.

Final note

Remember that a beautiful wedding doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. By prioritising your budget, managing your guest list, staying organised, considering alternative dates, and embracing your creative side, you can create a magical and affordable wedding day that reflects your love story.

At Celebrate with Rachel Louise, I’m here to help you every step of the way.

Happy wedding planning!

Love,
Rachel x