Eight tips for a wedding on a budget

Susan Steward and Maureen Skosana

Wedding planning website, The Knot, recently released its projected trends for 2021 weddings, dubbing it the “year of intentionality”. This means that this year, amid Covid-19 restrictions, weddings will be more hyper-personalised affairs.

Given the Covid-19 restrictions where events are limited to 50 guests, micro-weddings are now massive. While the guest list and booze bill may have dwindled or disappeared completely, the cost to create an intimate but memorable experience has not.

Some vendors are increasing their fees to accommodate complex logistic. Also, when you buy in bulk, you save. That’s not the case anymore which is putting pressure on the budget.

Here’s a guide to budgeting for a micro-wedding:

Commit to a wedding budget: When you start planning, understand the state of your finances, then set an overall limit of how much you can spend and stick to it. Keep the expectations realistic, weddings aren’t the time to be shy about money.

Avoid debt: Start married life with your finances intact. Don’t go into debt to pay for the day. Similarly, you don’t want to dip into savings you have for a specific purpose such as a new house.

Package deals: Select a package deal from one supplier if possible, instead of using different suppliers. Be honest and discuss your budget with your supplier – this will enable them to work out an appropriate cost saving package.

RSVPs: Make sure that you have proper RSVP processes in place, this will help manage catering costs, among other costs.

Know what things cost: Make a very detailed list that includes the venue, food, decor and drinks, down to nails and hair. Decide what you would like and find out how much these things cost. The more detail you put in, the better you can budget and plan.

Marriage is all about compromise: Start early and draw up a list of what will make it memorable and special.

Practical party favours: Instead of spending a fortune on traditional thank you gifts like sugared almonds, consider something more practical and cost-effective like a small plant.

Check the Ts&Cs: Government regulations regarding events are subject to change so be sure to scrutinise your venues policy on cancellations or postponements.

Couples need to ensure they have their dream day without breaking the bank. Remember, the wedding is not the end, it is the beginning. The marriage is what counts.

Maureen Skosana is founder of Nono Events and Susan Steward is from Budget Insurance