Going for Broke: How to Plan a Wedding WITHOUT Busting Your Budget

Y’all… would you believe us if we told you it was possible to plan the wedding of your dreams without draining your bank account? Hey! Don’t laugh! We’re being serious. 

Here are our top tips for ballin' on a budget-- without compromising your big day!

Research, research, research. 

To break it down DJ Khaled style, research is MAJOR KEY. Before you get your heart set on a location, find out which venues require you to use their vendors. Those venues may look cheap at first glance, but the additional vendor fees add up! Look into what the weather is typically like around your wedding date, ‘cause heaven only knows how expensive those rain backup tents can get. 

If you’re really strapped for cash, you might consider financing your wedding. We’ve got a handy dandy guide just for you! The I&B team recommends that you always weigh the pros and cons of wedding loans heavily before diving in. Get your dream wedding on responsibly, y’all!

Ditch the steak and potatoes.

Sit down meals can get hella expensive y’all. The popular alternative is often a buffet, but did you know that they can be just as expensive… and even more wasteful! Consider booking a food truck or ordering local. One couple even fed 110 guests a delicious BBQ spread for just $600.

If you’re dead set on the sit down experience, make sure that your menu is seasonal. Those roasted vegetables are going to cost a lot more in the winter if you’ve got to get them imported! 

Pick ONE thing to splurge on. 

Rapid fire question time: what element of your wedding is the most important to you? That’s what you should spend the most on. The rest is negotiable! Every time you find that you’re a little disappointed that you couldn’t have a few more flowers or fancier food, remember that you always wanted that couture dress or those draw-dropping photos. It’s way worth it in the end! 

Consider an open-ish bar. 

We’re all here for a good party, but not if it’s burning a hole in your pocket! Instead of having a truly open bar, offer beer and wine and a couple of signature drinks at no cost. Not only is this a great way to keep that liquor from driving you to debt, but it’s a prime opportunity to show off your personality as a couple. 

Don’t let the pressure get to you!

Your wedding does not have to fit any cookie cutter mold. You don’t have to have an expensive cake; order a dozen boxes of Krispy Kreme Donuts instead. You shouldn’t spend tons on your wedding dress if that’s not what matters to you. Who says you can’t find the dress of your dreams for next to nothing?

Don’t let anyone pressure you into including details that you don’t want-- and that includes an extensive guest list. Anyone who is truly deserving of your time will understand if you decide to keep things intimate to suit your needs! 

Did you hear that? Your wallet just gave a big sigh of relief. What are your money saving tips? Let us know in the comments down below. 

(Pssssst... love these pictures? They're all straight from our Instagram, @ivoryandbeau! Go show us some love.)