Your wedding day is often viewed as one of the most important days of your life. Because it’s such a high-stakes event, wedding planning can bring up a lot of complex emotions for your family. They want you to have the best of everything on your special day, which can be difficult if you’re working with a tight budget. You may be forced to cut corners in certain areas or take a DIY approach to the decor or food.
Unfortunately, the decisions you make could ruffle feathers and cause drama if they don’t live up to your family’s high expectations. The ten budget cuts below could create some tension. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make them if you’re on a shoestring budget.
Inviting Fewer People
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Figuring out exactly who is invited to your wedding can be one of the most stressful parts of the planning process. If you have a limited budget, you may not be able to invite each and every loved one. If you cut certain family members from the guest list, you could end up ruffling feathers or disappointing your mother-in-law. Depending on your family dynamics, you may also be dealing with how to seat everyone when half of them don’t get along. Remember that you get the final say about who’s invited, and don’t be afraid to put your foot down if necessary!
No Open Bar
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If you’re trying to save a little money on your wedding, the bar is often one of the first things to go. While you could do a cash bar, there is often still a fee to have the bartender and equipment on site. Plus, guests may still be upset that there’s no open bar and they have to pay for their libations. This is often a no-win situation, so you should do what you prefer on your special day. If you want to have a dry wedding to save some dough, that’s your prerogative, even if it upsets certain guests.
Used Dress
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Many mothers dream of going wedding dress shopping with their daughters. So if you decide to buy a used dress at the thrift store or online, it may ruin your mom’s plans. Borrowing a sentimental wedding dress from a family member can also cause family drama. If you wear grandma’s wedding dress, then younger family members who don’t have partners yet could feel robbed of the same opportunity. Communication is key to avoiding hurt feelings and unnecessary conflicts.
DIY Flowers and Decorations
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Sometimes families worry about appearances and how their friends will perceive your wedding. If they want your special day to impress, they may be hesitant about taking a DIY approach to save money. But if your budget doesn’t allow for a florist or decorator, it’s important to stick to your guns. You can help reassure your family that the event will still be classy by putting together a Pinterest board of your ideas. Getting them involved with the crafting can save you time and enable them to have some input over the decor.
Having a Loved One Officiate
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Having a close family member or friend officiate your wedding can be such a special addition to your wedding day. You may be surprised to learn that it might also help you save a little, too. Booking a pastor to officiate, especially if not at their church, isn’t cheap, and you have to factor in things like their travel time and add them to the list for dinner. Having someone who would otherwise still be at your wedding keeps the number of guests consistent and makes their role more meaningful. Now this may cause a little drama if you have a particularly religious family or if there is infighting over who gets to officiate, but willingness to become ordained usually helps thin them out.
Backyard Wedding
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If you or an immediate family member have a well-maintained backyard large enough to host a small event, it could be a great option for your wedding venue. The venue is normally the single most expensive line item, so saving some money here can go a long way to help fund the rest of the big day. Depending on local ordinances, you may need special permits for the parking or even the event itself.
So don’t forget to arrange these to avoid drama with the city or town on your big day. It’s also important to be respectful of the family member who’s letting you borrow their backyard. Try to set up and tear down the event as quickly as possible so you aren’t in their hair for too long, which could cause frustration.
No Cake
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Cutting the cake is a big part of traditional weddings, and older generations almost always had a multi-tier confection. Nowadays, it’s popular for Millennials to choose cupcakes, pies, or cookies instead to save money.
However, your mom or grandma may be disappointed to hear that you’re picking up Costco pies instead of hiring a pricey baker. They may also be sad that they don’t get to taste cakes with you. If you need help convincing them, show them current prices for wedding cakes, which will probably shock them.
Skipping the Band or DJ
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Weddings often used to have full bands playing throughout the reception. But in the age of Spotify and music streaming, you may be wondering if having a band or even a DJ is necessary. Putting together a playlist you like should only take a few hours, and could save you hundreds of dollars. Bring a Bluetooth speaker and put your phone on shuffle so you can enjoy your favorite music and dance completely hands-free.
Some family members may worry that using a Bluetooth speaker instead of a real performer will cheapen your event. Hiring a solo artist for only an hour or two to knock out the ceremony and important first dances could be a good compromise.
Potluck Dinner
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Having a potluck dinner instead of hiring a caterer is another budget cut that could cause family drama. If each guest is expected to bring a dish, people may fight over the menu and who gets to cook what. If you’re going this route, it’s important to assign each person a role to limit squabbling.
People may also try to get their Tupperware or crockpots back at the end of the night, which could cause logistical chaos. Although it’s more expensive, you’ll likely get a better result by hiring a caterer. Unless your family is full of excellent cooks, you could end up with burnt entrees and soggy side dishes.
Family Rings
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Using rings that have been in the family for decades is a great way to add a sentimental touch to your ceremony. Plus, you’ll save money by avoiding the jewelry store. However, the fact that you inherited Grandma’s ring early may cause a stir if you have siblings or cousins.
If you use one of the family heirlooms for your proposal or wedding, it won’t be available for someone else, which could cause hurt feelings or disappointment. Try to ask for permission and clear the air with all the family members who could be affected to avoid any wedding day drama about the rings.
It’s Your Special Day
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It’s important to remember that you’re the one running the show, not your family. This is your and your future spouse’s special day. You deserve to have the wedding you’re envisioning and stick to the budget you planned. It usually isn’t worth it to go into debt to appease picky family members. Unless they’re willing to put their money where their mouth is and pay for upgrades, make any budget cuts that you see fit.
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