When two people fall in love with each other, the ultimate expression of this affinity towards one another must be the decision to tie the matrimonial knot in marriage. It’s a pretty big decision to make for most as it would mean letting go of some of the independence that comes from being single. There is also the prospect of parenting duties which needs to be considered.
Marriages, however, also means that resources can be shared between two people, and family ties can be extended to total strangers you have never met before getting to know your partner. The warmth of being in a relationship that has a meaning – marriages tie the abstract feelings of love into an almost legalistic agreement, with some even taking the steps to draft a pre-nuptial agreement as a fall back – can often provide a very comforting security to both men and women.
Often a once in a lifetime event, normal couples who do not feature in Forbes’ List of the rich and famous may well have to consider the repercussions of spending way too much for the ceremony, even if it was to be the happiest day of their lives. The extra cash saved could easily to jumpstart a savings account for the rainy days and emergencies which will come without fail, or towards the purchase of a house where they would live together. There a whole lists of things you could do.
How do you save on wedding ceremonies or is it an oxymoron which could never be achieved? The answer is easily a yes as there are enough cheap wedding ideas floating around to be implemented, and with some ingenuity and creative thinking, anyone can come out with great ideas that could work wonders.
Nonetheless, there has to be a nominal sum of budget allocation or otherwise, you should just opt for a Las Vegas-style marriage ceremony. Couples should work with a budget that both are comfortable with. Be realistic about how much it is you could spend, and make sure the bulk of it goes to the wedding ceremony and not its corresponding frills such as the reception or even the door gifts.
A great way to save money is to rent the wedding gown and tuxedo. There are worn once in a lifetime, and there would be other opportunities for the couples to acquire beautiful dresses later in their life. Shop around to get a rough idea of how much it would cost and do go with an open mind so that you can make up your mind easily when you come across the right dress and suit.
The key word here is the right dress and suit as they might not be the ones you really want, which could well be those with a much higher price tag. Go for design instead of material, but do not skimp to the point of choosing the cheapest gowns. Be moderate and go for the middle liners, as they provide a good balance of beautiful design and quality.
Next up would be the location of the wedding ceremony, and in this respect, nothing is cheaper than one held at a religious house of God. Be it a church, a mosque or a temple, there is a certain dignity and it is a good and accepted tradition in having the vows exchanging, and the reception afterwards, held at such sacred locations. Marriage is after all something lovely and sacred happening between two people. Make sure they have some space for the reception after the marriage ceremony so that you do not have to fork out to rent another hall.
The reception itself does not need to be too grand. A great way to save would be to lump everything to a single caterer. They would supply the tables and chairs, the tents – if any is needed – the main table for the newlyweds and their family – and, course, the food and drinks. Cooking the food yourselves might be penny pinching a bit too far, as the sheer workload is just not worth the perceived savings made. Unless, that is, you are expecting a very, very small group of guests for the reception.
In some Asian cultures, however, the whole neighborhood would often chip in to help out. Much of the budget would therefore go for the purchase of the items needed for the food and drinks. Cooperatives often stock with them tents as well as the tables and chairs and even the cooking utensils. It might not be unique or special, but they do get the job done with minimal fuss and goes a good, long way in ensuring that you do not exceed your budget.
Do not forget to cater for the door gifts. They do not have to be expensive, as small items are still sweet and thoughtful. Potpourri packs, for example is a pretty unique, but cheap, item which you could opt. Sweets and chocolates can be wrapped in clear plastics for the children. Buying in bulk cuts down the cost of acquiring these items and you could budget for how much you of items you need for the reception.
Another thing which couples working on a budget needs to consider is the number of guests expected for the reception. Do not ever make open invitations and make sure there is some form of confirmation to help you gauge exactly how many people would eventually turn up. A good assumption would be four for each card. The rest would then start from this point. These might be cheap wedding ideas but they are workable, and would not detract from the beauty of the big day and celebration.
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