7 Unconventional Ways To Save Money On Your Wedding

1. Concretely visualize your wedding day and the events leading up to it by writing a narrative. Doing so allows you to enumerate the possible expenses that you will incur. Keep this narrative in mind when making your budget.

2. Whether you want to believe it or not, the “fake cake” was one of the hottest wedding trends in 2015. Purely made for show, the fake cake consists of a tier of real cake while the rest is made of styrofoam. This alternative looks just as elegant, but for the fraction of the price. Simply serve the (plain) supplementary cake you have kept in the venue’s kitchen.

3. My previous experience in the wedding industry thought me one thing – prices for products and services surge up when you attach the word “wedding” into it. Try omitting this keyword when searching for items online. A simple cocktail dress costs around S$20, but a wedding cocktail dress may cost twice as that. Some brides have gone to the extent of calling their wedding a “big party” when booking suppliers!

4. It comes as no surprise that many people around you are genuinely excited for your the big day. Ask your relatives, friends, and colleagues for help. Help is not limited to ang pow or red packets! It can be as little as borrowing their punch bows or as huge as taking your prenuptial photos.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

5. The crucial elements of a wedding includes the banquet. Spend less money by opting for bigger tables that need fewer tablecloths and centerpieces. Speaking of centerpieces, you can reduce your spending by sticking to one kind of flowers.

6. As a sign of gratitude for their participation, couples usually send gifts to their beloved guests. Unleash your creativity without damaging your wallet by making your own wedding favors. One option is to purchase small jars, fill it with jellybean, and wrap it with a bow. Another option is to bake your own dessert and package it well.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

7. When money is still tight after exhausting all your resources, consider the power of crowdfunding. Crowdfunding is a means of sourcing out money from a large number of people. You may recall the time when famous blogger Bong Qiu Qiu (or Budget Barbie) crowdsourced her legal fees. What is nice about crowdfunding websites is its ability to display how far you are from your monetary goal.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

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Wedding Related Items You Should Not Be Spending Too Much On

Weddings are special as they celebrate beginnings and possibilities. And, on these special day one can either splurge their savings or follow a reasonable budget.

On the importance of marriage, I resonate what Barbara de Angelis once said:

“The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It’s a choice you make – not just on your wedding day, but over and over again – and that choice is reflected in the way you treat your husband or wife.”

The essence of the marriage is highlighted in the loving relationship of the husband and wife from the wedding day and days to come. To be able to live a comfortable life in the following days to come, the couple must follow a reasonable budget and keep some of their savings for long-term purchases such as a house or a car.

1. FAD DETOX AND CLEANSES

Having a toned and sexy physique for the wedding day is at the top priority of almost every bride. And, there is definitely nothing wrong with wanting to look good for the “Big Day”! Although the body is capable of cleaning or detoxifying itself, our unhealthy lifestyle can slow down that natural process – leading one to feel lethargic, unmotivated, and bloated.

But let us face it, detox and cleanses can be really costly. A 3-day detox in a luxurious Yoga studio can cost you about S$400. As you other find ways to reach your ideal body goal, consider these nutritious yet inexpensive detox ideas:

a. Substitute coffee with green tea

b. Drink plenty of water

c. Workout regularly

d. Get quality sleep

Read the full article here.

2. SAVE THE DATE INVITATIONS

Sending personalized wedding invitations to the guests can cost you hundreds of dollars depending on the size of the event. If your wedding is a destination wedding and RSVPs are crucial, a frugal alternative is to make a private group in Facebook (for free) then post the message including your detailed instructions.

Another cheap alternative is to print customizable announcement templates that are available online. I personally recommend the free printable invitations and envelopes from greetingsisland.com.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

3. DIAMOND RINGS

Since the wedding and engagement are events that happen once in a lifetime, people often rationalize their spending for the diamond rings. Jewelry, in general, is an expensive category in itself. Expensive jewelry plus an emotional event can result to overspending. If you try to spend less, you will feel guilty and cheap.

Thankfully, you can negotiate with the prices by knowing the 4 C’s namely carat, clarity, color, and cut. You may ask the local jeweler if he or she is willing to change the setting of the ring for a discount. That will surely lower down the overall amount.

4. ARTISANAL OR CRAFT LIQUOR

Singapore’s standards for mixology are rising these past few years. In conduction, the companies that offer artisanal or craft liquors are increasing too. If you are thinking of serving these types of liquor at your wedding then, you are definitely splurging!

You can dramatically cut down the cost of the liquor if you hold the reception a private venue, if you serve the venue’s own brand of wine and champagne, and if you instruct the servers to wait before they are asked to refill. Surely, refilling every glass as soon as they are empty and purchasing premium brands will take a tow on your budget.

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Image Credits: pixabay.com (License: CC0 Public Domain)

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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