If you’ve found yourself asking the question “how do people pay for weddings?”, look no further! Here are 7 ways you can use to afford your dream day! You’ve found the love of your life, so you’re getting married to them soon. You’ve always dreamed of the perfect wedding. And you want to make it happen.
But after taking a look at everything it’ll take to make it happen, it’s left you thinking: how do people pay for weddings?! If you’re struggling to make that dream wedding go off without a hitch, we’ve got 7 ways to help you afford your big day.
How Do People Pay for Weddings? Some Tips
Work on a Side Job
One of the simplest and most effective ways you can make some extra money to pay for your wedding is by working a side job. This doesn’t necessarily have to be something formal or complicated. There are many ways you can earn money on the side. Think about what sort of skills you have. For instance, are you knowledgeable about guitars? Then you could try buying guitars on sites like Craigslist and eBay and selling them for a profit. You could also try working as a freelancer. There are many online freelancing platforms where you can put your knowledge and skills to use.
For example, if you are a programmer, you might be able to make some extra cash doing some side projects. You can also consider working for a rideshare company, such as Uber. These companies are a popular way to make some extra cash on the side.
Cut Down on Daily Expenses
Let’s face it: you probably have some unnecessary expenses you can cut down on. Do you get a latte every day on the way to work? It might not seem like much, but these kinds of expenses can really pile up over time. This is known as the Latte Factor.
Check out this calculator which can show you how much you can save by cutting out an unnecessary expense.
Cut Your Subscriptions
Chances are, you’re subscribed to some monthly subscription services. Maybe you have a Netflix or Spotify account? While these services are very convenient, there are free alternatives available. For example, you could listen to your music using YouTube rather than using Spotify. If you’re a member at a gym, you could consider just exercising in the great outdoors instead. It might not seem like much, but these expenses can also add up quickly over time.
Take Out a Loan
In some cases, you can cut out every unnecessary expense and still have no way of raising the money for your dream wedding. If this applies to you, you might want to consider taking out a loan. If you choose this option, you need to have a stable income for the foreseeable future. Make sure you do some research when you’re looking into online loans. Don’t just sign up to the first loan you find. Shop around and settle on the best interest rate you can get.
Don’t Spend Too Much on an Engagement Ring
Many people spend a small fortune on an engagement ring. If you go with a more modest ring, you’ll have more money to put towards the wedding of your dreams. If you want to save money on your engagement ring, make sure you don’t buy one at a chain store. Rings at these kinds of stores are almost always overpriced. Instead, consider shopping at an online jeweler. Avoid buying an engagement ring with diamonds, as these rings are incredibly expensive. Not only are diamond rings pricey, but they also don’t retain much value.
Think a Bit More Realistically
Everyone has a dream wedding in their minds, but sometimes, it just isn’t affordable. It’s sad to say, but when the numbers simply don’t add up, your only choice is to tone things down. You might not even need to compromise as much as you might think. Take a look at your expenses and see where you can cut down. Consider what aspects of the wedding you might be able to do yourself or within your own family. Maybe someone in your family is an amazing cook. Why not see if they can help to cater to the wedding?
Perhaps you have a knack for graphic design? You could make the invitations yourself for a fraction of the price. As with lowering your daily expenses, when planning a wedding, the little things add up too. Take a look at your plans. There are probably plenty of opportunities to cut down on your expenses. If you have a 5-tier wedding cake planned, reduce it to 4. If you have to rethink things a little, why not check out some bridal blogs to get some new ideas?
Make a Budget and Stick to It
One of the best ways to plan a wedding is to come up with a budget and stick to it. Unless you have millions of dollars to spend, there has to be a limit somewhere. Take some time to talk with your fiance and work out exactly what the budget is going to be. Then, you can start making the plans for your wedding. This means you’ll have to be realistic about what is affordable right from the start.
Have a Dream Wedding Affordably
So how do people pay for weddings? Either they’re rich, or they’ve made some sacrifices in order to make it work. If you’re in the latter group, don’t worry. As you can see, there’s no need to panic if you’ve crunched the numbers and they seem impossibly high. Take a deep breath and take a look at all your expenses. Cut out everything that’s unnecessary, then reassess.
If you’re still coming up short, then start cutting down little by little on your wedding plans. Sure, it’s not ideal, but you can still have an amazing wedding when you’re on a budget. All that matters is you get to share that special day with the love of your life, plus your closest family and friends.