A Thrifty Wedding
Coco Dietz
As of a 2023 statistic the American Wedding industry makes around 2.24 million dollars annually. While the average cost of a wedding depends on the state that you live in, here in Texas the average cost of a wedding is $30,200 whereas the most costly state to be married in is New Jersey with $53,400.
Although a wedding is a, typically, once in a lifetime event that most brides hold very dear in the planning because they have dreamed of what this momentous event would look like. Planning a wedding on a budget can be stressful with the overwhelming costs piling up higher and higher. Here are some ideas to help cut some costs for your big day.
Fake Flowers:
Having artificial flowers for your wedding day has had a negative connotation associated with it for many years now, but flax flowers have come a long way in the last decade. Flowers are used everywhere in a wedding. Not only do all of the bridal party members need either bouquets or boutonnieres, but they are also used in the decoration all around the reception and the ceremony space as well. Having artificial flowers can cut down on the cost significantly. In 2023 the average number that was spent on flowers for a wedding was $2,300. Whereas the cost of artificial flowers is between $500-$1,000, which is a significant decrease in cost.
No Reception Dinner:
One of the higher costs for a wedding is the cost of catering. Depending on the catering company as well as the number of attendants to the reception dinner will alter the end cost of a reception dinner. However, some brides choose to forego the reception dinner in a way to cut some of the costs of the wedding as a whole. Setting the wedding in the early afternoon and then serving snacks and refreshments at the reception instead of the big dinner.
Venue:
It is generally suggested when making a wedding budget that you should set aside around 30% of your allotted money just for the venue. Your venue will most likely be the most costly expense that you will encounter during your wedding planning. Consider wedding planning having your venue in a local outdoor venue such as a park or in nature, generally the costs are lower than having your wedding in a major venue. Having weddings in churches or other religious organizations buildings has lessened in popularity in the last few years; however, having your wedding in a religious building is much less expensive than choosing a wedding venue.
Cutting costs in the wedding can be stressful and as well as be embarrassing for some brides who might not have their dream wedding budget and having to face those dreaded cuts. But the important thing to remember when planning and cutting as you count down the days till your “I do” is to enjoy this time and find whatever works for you and your fiance and know that at the end of that very planned out day, you will be getting to marry your fiance, and that’s all that really matters.