Weddings are expensive. Well, they can be. There are so many details that go into your big day that it can all quickly add up! I’m all for having the perfect day of your dreams and I’m not going to tell you how to do it on the cheap, it’s completely up to you how much you want to spend and how much you can afford for your wedding. Saving for it is important but don’t let it hold you back forever from tying the knot. A couple of tips I have learned about ways to spend and save for your wedding…

– Prioritize your splurging and saving! You will want to spend more money on some things and save on others. Decide what is most important to you as a couple. For example if I was getting married I think I would prioritize the photographer (no surprises there!), dress and styling. Other people might really want amazing food or an incredible venue but don’t mind having a smaller bridal party or less guests. What matters most to you?

– The guest list. This can be one of the trickiest things for couples to figure out, but you don’t necessarily have to be so ruthless! If it’s really important you invite all your friends and family and have a big wedding then go for it! Or if you are more inclined to having an intimate affair that’s fine too. Having more guests can drive the cost up in others areas. If you are set on the large guest list then think about ways you can save in other areas. For example, look at different options for your reception venue. Maybe you can hire out a nice hall and decorate it yourself instead of splurging at an expensive estate. You might have family or friends with beautiful property you could use or put up a marquee on. For food, you don’t have to have a sit-down dinner. You can do a cocktail party style reception with fork food that will save you loads of money. Or you could have an intimate family dinner then invite the rest of your guests back later for dessert and dancing. There are endless options to tailor the day perfectly to your style and budget!

– DIY! What can you do yourself? Whether this be your flowers, hair, invites or table settings, think about what you can save on. While there are some incredible vendors out there who will do an amazing professional job, if you’re confident in your own skills then utilize them! This does mean time though, so if you don’t have enough of that then maybe just choose a few things to focus on and delegate the rest. Sometimes all the time, effort and money used on DIY would have been better spent on a wedding planner or stylist. It’s important to avoid getting stressed!

– Utilize your friends, family and bridal party! Involve them in the preparations. They’ll surprise you with good ideas, helpful connections and often will volunteer their talents and services. You can’t do everything so gather a tribe to help.

– Think beyond the wedding. 5 or 10 years later what are you going to remember most about your wedding day and what are you going to wish you’d done? Good photography to capture all those special moments is a must! Will you regret not inviting more people or wish you’d spent less on the cake hardly anyone ate? Will you wish you’d got professional hair and makeup artists rather than stressfully doing it yourself? Will you regret that you didn’t hire a videographer to capture your ceremony and speeches? Try to think about down the track about what is going to matter most!