There is always something both exciting and nerve-wracking about planning a wedding. It’s no secret that weddings can be costly, and setting a budget for one has always been a challenging process. It is common to spend a considerable amount of money on clothing, invites, venues, menus, etc.
However, in the wake of the pandemic, people opted for intimate and inexpensive weddings, changing the wedding ecosystem around the world; but now it’s back to splurging on weddings.
Approximately $28,000 is the average cost of a decent wedding, according to the Knot 2021 real weddings study. The right financial planning and forethought can make your dream wedding unique and financially feasible, regardless of whether it is an intimate or lavish affair.
If you are struggling with monthly EMIs and payments
, garnering enough funds to pay for your dream wedding may seem unachievable. But don’t get disappointed. You can still raise funds for their dream wedding; you only need to know how.
Get a personal loan
While saving and earning more is the #1 option in everyone’s mind, it is not always possible. So, if you still are short on the amount you need for your dream wedding, you can always get a personal loan. However, do not opt for the first financial institution you come across. Do your homework to find the most suitable local loan provider; trust us, it will pay off. For example, if you live in New Zealand, opting for a local provider will enable more seamless credit checks, less hassle, and higher chances of approval. The Best personal loans provider in NZ offers quick processing of personal loans at competitive rates, allowing you to turn your dream Kiwi wedding into a reality.
On this note, now let’s look at some of the ways you can pay for your dream wedding:
Start saving early
Saving is the key to solving all your problems, a famous saying goes. You should begin saving money well before your big day before deciding how much you’ll need.
To accumulate funds, it is best to start saving monthly if the wedding is within the next 12 months. It won’t take long for you to accumulate some extra lump sum money if you do this regularly. Save as much as you can in advance to avoid last-minute scrambling.
Create a realistic wedding budget
No one should ever dream of planning a lavish wedding only to discover that they cannot afford it later on. That’s why calculating your wedding budget should be your first step. You should also discuss this step with your spouse to ensure that you are on board, as with every other step on this list.
Look at how much money you two already have saved for the wedding. Your emergency fund or retirement account shouldn’t be used for this purpose. It should be money you’ve been saving specifically for this purpose.
Next, figure out how much you can reasonably save each month. Once you know what your desired wedding date is, you can save more. Your savings can fund your wedding entirely if you set this amount as your wedding budget.
Find an alternative money source
You can make money from your hobby or pastime. You should give it a try! Your dream wedding can be achieved if you take the time to pursue your hobbies and earn money from them. You may be able to find clients in need of your talents if you are gifted with an eye for detail and artistic abilities.
The following suggestions might help:
- You can generate enough business if you are good at cooking or baking. Nevertheless, please do some research before diving into it.
- Is your teaching ability good, or do you have a college degree? Tutor someone in your neighborhood who needs help. Getting a job at a tutoring company is possible since they are always searching for new employees.
- Babysitting can be a good career choice if you have experience with children. When you work as a babysitter, you will be responsible for taking care of children and ensuring their safety and cleanliness. Funding your wedding this way is a great idea. You ask one of your family members to babysit their kids to earn a little money.
- Freelancing is another option to consider. If you want to earn extra money, you can try your hand at social media management, copywriting, marketing, and web coding. You can also earn passive income by doing this. Use your skills to make more money if you are good at something.
Engage in vendor negotiations
The best way to save money is to negotiate with vendors, regardless of whether your budget is on track. Asking for a lower price will not always result in a lower price, so feel free to ask.
The wedding industry is highly competitive; many vendors are willing to make you a deal to secure your business. Negotiating a lower price can be done in a few ways:
- When you hire them that day and pay upfront, ask them if they’ll give you a discount.
- Reduce the price of the quote by modifying or removing some things included in it.
- When purchasing a service package, you should negotiate the rates. For instance, hiring the same photographer for your engagement and wedding photos could get a lower rate.
- If your budget is lower than the vendor’s price, you can simply tell them. Tell them you have a $1,800 limit, regardless if they are charging $2,000. They can figure out a deal within your budget once they know how much you can spend.
Your main concern should be politeness and not offering a low amount that would insult them. It is reasonable to try to negotiate a 10% discount. The vendor will likely respond by telling you to look elsewhere if you attempt to get 50% off.
Conclusion
Weddings are supposed to be special days, not an occasion for spending money you don’t have. With the right plan, you can save money and have the wedding of your dreams without worrying about finances.