Planning a wedding is an exciting time for engaged couples! As you begin budgeting for your special day, remember that creativity and flexibility can help make your wedding dreams come true, even on a budget. Focus first on what matters most - being surrounded by loved ones. Then, use these ideas to passively save money for your wedding and reduce your stress.
The average wedding can cost up to $30,000 or more. The final amount depends on various factors, such as where you live and how many guests are on your list.
The final price tag also depends on your wedding plans. A couple daydreaming about a destination wedding in Hawaii will pay more than a couple hosting their ceremony in their backyard.
Estimating your guest list and picking a venue are two significant steps in assessing your wedding budget. Afterward, you can add other factors like your wedding attire, vendors, and food and alcohol.
Once you have an idea of your budget and understand how much money you can actively save, add these passive saving strategies to your routine. You’ll put more money away and stress less about paying the final bills on time.
You likely throw the change into your pocket or purse whenever you get cash back at a store. Pocket change falls out in the washing machine, but when was the last time you emptied your purse? Clean it out at least once every two weeks and bring your loose change to the bank. They’ll deposit it directly into your savings account.
Check the type of savings account you’re using for your wedding funds. If it doesn’t have a high-yield percentage, you might want to change where you’re putting money away. A high-yield savings account provides 3-5% or more in monthly interest rates, compared to less than 1% in standard savings accounts.
Even if it means moving your savings to another bank, it’s a temporary arrangement that will earn more money each month than you would get otherwise.
Dog owners know boarding is part of their big day. You’ll need someone to watch your dog while you get married and potentially honeymoon after your wedding. It’s an extra fee that gets expensive in big cities. If your dog has a patient temperament, you could avoid boarding altogether by making them part of your ceremony.
Train your dog to bring your rings or some flowers down the aisle. Remember to practice socializing in the weeks up to your wedding, even if your dog loves being around people. Big crowds can make dogs anxious, which might disrupt your ceremony.
Consider the belongings you have in storage. You could find things like winter clothes and seasonal decor for your home if you sort through the boxes in your basement, crawl space, attic or storage unit.
Reusing old belongings is a passive way to bolster your wedding budget. You won’t need to buy new clothes or decorations if you use what you already own.
Your electric bill might be the most costly thing you pay for each month besides your rent or mortgage payments. Reduce it by turning off your appliances, like your lights and TVs, when you’re not using them.
Lowering your thermostat by around seven degrees for eight hours a day can reduce your energy bill by 10%. It’s easy to do this by turning it down at night while you’re sleeping or away at work.
Even going to sleep earlier will mean your lights are staying off longer. The most minor habit changes make a big difference in reducing your energy bill. The extra cash can go directly into your savings account without influencing your spending on other necessities.
Some banks transfer one dollar into your savings account every time you make a purchase from your checking account. Contact your bank to see if they offer this program.
If your checking and savings accounts are with the same bank, it’s an easy way to build your wedding fund. You’d put one dollar away each time you filled your gas tank, bought groceries or went shopping.
If you dread going to the gas station, enact some strategies to move your money from your gas tank to your wedding fund. Gas stations often raise their prices on Thursdays to profit off weekend vacationers, people doing Saturday errands and going to religious gatherings on Sundays. Filling up early in the week means you’ll get a lower price per gallon.
You could also download a gas app to compare local station prices. You’ll know exactly where to get the best deals before leaving home. You won’t even need memberships or credit cards with gas companies to reduce your spending.
Meet with a local financial advisor to discuss opening an investment account. They often have higher return percentages than a high-yield savings account. If you have both working in your best interest, you’ll generate even more passive savings when you need it most.
You could host a yard sale or sell extra belongings online to build your initial deposit. Afterward, you’ll watch that money grow in your investment account until your wedding vendors need your final deposits. Depending on your skills, you and your fiancé could even sell additional crafted goods or services like lawn mowing to invest extra cash.
Remember, your financial advisor will explain everything and keep your savings on track. They’ll only get a small percentage from your account to pay for their services.
Traveling to a dreamy destination is something you should experience with the love of your life. You might even have one already in mind. Consider if you absolutely have to see it in the months before your wedding. Your destination won’t go anywhere if you put off your expensive travel plans for another year or two.
In the meantime, you and your future spouse can enjoy staycations. It’s the most affordable way to save money while doing something fun during your time off. You could sleep in each day, splurge on delicious homemade recipes and find fun things to do within driving distance.
Nature trails create opportunities to explore the outdoors together wherever you live. Go see a movie at the drive-in theater in the next town over or get a couple’s package at a local spa. Vacation activities can happen at home, ultimately costing much less money and financial stress.
Impulse purchases can be the best and worst part of your week. Getting that cookie cake for dessert might hit the spot after a day of grocery shopping, but you could easily put that extra $10 in your wedding savings.
Minimize the chance of impulse spending by ordering your groceries as a pick-up order. Many major grocery chains have this service for little to no cost. Compare the options closest to your home. You could save money by only selecting the groceries you need.
Delivery may be an option as well. You’ll use less gas by saving a trip to the grocery store. If the cost of gas to cover the distance exceeds the delivery fee, you could put the leftover difference in your wedding fund. You might even love the convenience enough to continue this grocery shopping method after your ceremony ends.
Money shouldn’t hold you back from the wedding of your dreams. See how much you can actively save by budgeting with your fiancé and implement some of these passive saving strategies to put even more cash away.
You’ll stress less about affording your wedding details, making the experience much more enjoyable.