Were you struck by the love bug later in life and plan on getting married soon? Perhaps you’ve been divorced for some time, but life and maturity have helped you to find love once again? Maybe you and your long-time spouse have simply decided to re-dedicate yourselves to one another? Whatever the case may be, you’re planning a city wedding!
In the next few months, you will be walking down the aisle towards the love of your life ready to dedicate the rest of your years to one another. You’re over the moon with excitement and can’t wait to start planning your big day. There’s just one problem – planning a wedding isn’t cheap. This is especially true if you plan on getting married in the city where things tend to be a bit more on the pricey side.
The good news is, you don’t have to let something like cost get in the way of your wedding plans. There are lots of couples who have planned beautiful wedding ceremonies and receptions in the city with a small budget. Here are some suggestions on how to plan a city wedding without breaking the bank.
![fall scents for your home](http://www.livingbetter50.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Our-Aroma-Opium-Oil-Banner-2.jpg")
Shop Around for Affordable Venues
The venue is one of the most expensive parts of the wedding budget. You can keep prices low by doing some comparison shopping when searching for wedding venues. For example, if you plan on getting married in New York City, do some online research to find out which New York wedding venues are the most affordable.
Check out consumer reviews, ratings, and site photos to get an idea of which venues you’re most interested in. Then, contact each establishment to find out about package deals and the services included with each price. Based on the information provided, you can make a more informed decision about which venue is going to save you the most money on your wedding.
Timing Matters
Whether you know it or not, when you get married also has a lot to do with how much you will pay. If you happen to be getting married during a popular time of year, chances are you’re going to pay more for the venue and other wedding merchandise. However, if you get married when weddings tend to be slower, you can get some good deals.
Timing also matters when it comes to the ceremony and reception. The later in the day you get married, the more it is going to cost for food, services, and accommodations. So, if you’re trying to save money, it would be best to have a late morning wedding with a brunch reception as the cost of the venue, food, and entertainment is likely a lot more affordable.
DIY
If you really want to throw a city wedding on a budget, you’ll need to rely on your creativity (and the creativity of your friends and relatives that are willing to pitch in). There are a lot of elements of a wedding that can be done without needing to spend a lot of money. For example, you can go to a local craft store and make the centerpieces or floral arrangements for your reception for a fraction of what they would cost to purchase per table. Instead of ordering wedding favors, you can get creative and make them yourself.
If you’ve got family members that are good at making clothes, you can even save money on bridal party fashion. A cousin who’s a web designer might help with the wedding website, invitations, or programs. Maybe your best friend wouldn’t mind registering to be a legal officiant to marry the two of you instead of having to hire and pay someone. The skies really are the limit depending on what you and your team’s talents are as it relates to your wedding planning needs.
Whether you’re getting hitched for the first time or re-dedicating yourself to once another after years together, you can plan the perfect wedding and reception without going broke. Using wedding planning tips like shopping around for the best deals, doing what you can on your own, and selecting the ideal date and time for your nuptials are sure to help you reduce the cost of your city wedding without compromising its significance, style, or class.
LivingBetter50 is a magazine for women over 50, offering an over 50 magazine free download for women of spirit!