Getting married is a joyous occasion, and it may have been something that has been on the cards for a while. However, as anyone will tell you, planning a wedding and getting the wedding day of your dreams can be expensive. If you are not careful, you can let your ideas run away from you. Spending more than you wanted means you will have less to spend on other elements of the wedding, such as the reception, or even the honeymoon. It is, therefore, of interest that you start saving money as soon as possible. All types of savings will add up, and before you know it, they will be substantial. With this in mind, what areas should you start focusing your attention on?

Start Planning as Early as Possible

If you can, it is vital to start planning your wedding day as soon as possible. When you do this in advance, you can negotiate better deals. You can also have longer to shop around for the things that you want. If you are trying to pull everything together at the last minute, you may well find that you are spending above the odds. These extra little bits of spending may not seem like a lot, but when it comes to planning your wedding day, it adds up quickly.

Hold the Wedding Out of Season

You may have dreamt of a summer wedding for a while. However, these can be costly. Having your wedding day outside of your ideal season and looking at having it on an off-peak day (such as a weekday) instead of a weekend, may just help you save some money. Off-peak or out-of-season weddings are likely to be cheaper and more affordable.

Reach Out to Wedding Venues

One large proportion of your wedding budget is going to be used towards venue hire. It is, therefore, important that you start deciding which wedding venue you want to secure, why, and for when. Popular venues can be pre-booked years if not months in advance. Contacting venues and deciding what you want (and need) from the venue is crucial. When you start reaching out to venues, you can then start looking at prices, and even start negotiating for better deals.

Source Outside Catering

Some venues offer their own catering service, and you may have to have this as part of a wedding package. However, you may find that some venues do allow you to use a mobile caterer (or mobile bartending service). Hiring these service providers externally, and taking greater control of the food and drink on your wedding day, can help you reduce your bills, and help you stay in control of your spending.

Make Your Own Decor and Favors

Table decor, venue decor and wedding favors can be expensive, even if you are buying in bulk. It is, however, an element that cannot be overlooked, especially as it can make or break how your event looks and feels. Taking greater control of the decor and doing as much as you can yourself will help you save money and give you a sense of satisfaction too.