How To Plan a Wedding on a Budget
Unless you have the money to spend, budgeting is an essential part of the wedding planning process. Fortunately, it’s easy to throw a wedding on a budget, even if you’ve never thrown a large event!
To help you get started, here’s how to plan a wedding on a budget.
7 Tips for Planning a Wedding on a Budget
1. Create a Detailed Budget
Before you get too far in the planning process, create a detailed budget by figuring out how much you’re willing to spend. It’s typically a good idea to work out an expenditure and go from there.
Split everything into categories, such as venue, food, and entertainment, and decide where to splurge or save money. For instance, maybe you’re willing to splurge on catering, but the venue doesn’t matter to you. Either way, set your ratios based on what you care most about having at your wedding.
2. Choose Only One Venue
Having your ceremony and reception at two different venues may sound like a good idea, but it can be costly and inconvenient for some guests. Tons of wedding venues can serve both functions, or you could always have your ceremony outside with an event tent standing by for the reception.
Additionally, don’t stress about finding a venue that has everything! It’s easy to transform a space by renting a few things, such as tables and chairs.
Check out our tips for how to pick a wedding venue to learn more.
3. Limit Your Guest List
You may feel tempted to invite everyone on your contact list, but less is usually more when it comes to guests. Think of it this way — every person is an additional expense, and the more guests you have, the larger the venue you’ll need.
To save money, consider hosting a smaller affair. Or invite more guests to the wedding ceremony and throw an intimate reception for your family and closest friends.
4. Time Your Wedding Wisely
It’s best to narrow down a few dates before starting your venue hunt. However, if you’re looking for a deal, avoid planning your nuptials for September or October — the two most popular wedding months. You’ll likely pay more from early summer to late fall when resources are in higher demand.
Also, consider the day of the week. Saturday is the most popular day for weddings, which means vendors may charge more. If your schedule allows, hold your wedding on a Friday or Sunday to save a little money.
If you’re renting certain items, you’ll also need to plan ahead. Our dance floor experts recommend that you reserve your equipment four to six months in advance. However, if your ceremony falls during wedding season, rent at least a year beforehand.
5. Use the Outdoors as Decor
If you don’t want to pay for an indoor venue, you could always hold your ceremony outside and embrace the natural scenery. That said, if you do decide on an outdoor wedding, have a good backup plan.
With an event tent, you’ll be able to protect your guests from weather conditions, especially the Florida sun! Rented tents are great for strategically placing items such as a dance floor and audio equipment for your first dance.
Needless to say, sizing is key if you’re renting both a tent and a dance floor. Depending on your needs, LED rentals are available in different sizes and can be altered to meet your particular dimensions.
For more information, check out these tips for renting an outdoor dance floor.
6. Rent Instead of Buy Wedding Items
Instead of purchasing items for your wedding, rent whatever you can to save money! You can rent anything from tables and chairs to dinnerware and catering equipment. And the best part is that some event rental companies will handle the setup and takedown, so you don’t have to do the hard work yourself.
Not only will you have a variety to choose from, but you can coordinate these items with your wedding theme or decor.
7. Do Your Research
With so much to do, it’s easy to sign on the dotted line and hire the first person you see. The problem is, you could miss out on other vendors offering the same thing for a better price! Take the time to research different vendors and find the best fit for your wedding.
When you do hire someone, be sure to read vendor contracts and keep your eyes peeled for details that could impact your wedding if you need to make changes. For instance, maybe the vendor can’t make a particular date or charges a penalty for a late cancellation notice.
Wedding LED Dance Floor Rentals in Clearwater, FL
Florida LED Dance Floors specializes in LED dance floors for weddings and events. We’ll dedicate time to brainstorming and creating the best look for your big day, which is just one reason you should rent a dance floor at your wedding.
Whether you’re planning your ceremony in Tampa Bay or South Florida’s tri-county region, call 727-474-9927 or contact us for more information.
Florida LED Dance Floors
(727) 474-9927
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1301 N. Arcturas Ave., Unit K Clearwater, FL 33765
