As summer is coming right around the corner, it’s never too early to start thinking about wedding season. And no matter if you’re engaged looking to get married soon, or it’s something on the horizon, getting married can be astronomically expensive and it might be time to start brainstorming how you can afford this grand affair. However, that’s why I’m giving you a few helpful tips on how to get started. Check them out below.
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1. Look For The Best Wedding Deals Online
If you’re going to be getting by the summer, then it’s never too early to start seeking out the best deals online. Believe it or not, this can be a great place to do your wedding shopping, no matter how big or small. And if you’re trying to cut down on your total expenses then online is a great place to start.
Create a list of all the items you’re going to need for your wedding. Try to put down even things you’ve been on the fence about, as you might be surprised at what you could afford. Additionally, don’t be afraid to take on the major purchases online, such as your wedding dress. According to Fox Business, the average wedding dress cost approximately $1,110, which is a pretty significant chunk of change to delve out for a dress you’ll only wear once. However, online wedding dress company Azazie can give you a custom dress direct-to-consumer for half the cost. Try to find deals like this when you can, as it’ll put you in a much more advantageous picture down the road.
2. Learn How To Manage Your Debt
Perhaps one of the most crucial steps you could take in affording your summer wedding is learning how to balance and possibly knock out some of your debt. While everyone’s financial situation varies, the goal is to start your marriage off on a good financial footing for both you and your significant other. And if that possibly means you both have to be more responsible about paying down debt, then there’s no better time than now to get a plan in place.
Sit down with your fiance (or fiancee) and map out the bills you both have, making it a focus to knock out the ones that hold the highest cost. For example, as noted by NerdWallet, the average credit card debt comes it around $15,654, which with added fees and interest rates, can add up to quite a bit. However, if that’s the debt that will cost you the most in the long-term for you both, then that should be what you pay off first.
In regards to your other debts, there are obviously going to be things you’ll continue paying off after you get hitched, but removing all you can beforehand is advantageous. Obviously, things like managing your student loans will be a constant, but it’s the short-term debt items that you should really be on the lookout for in regards to knocking out. This should be a process that you both look forward to, as it gives you the chance to decide not only how your financial picture will look when you’re done, but additionally how much of a wedding you can afford.
As your wedding day is solely about celebrating you and your significant other’s love, it’s crucial you get down what you both want out of this special day. Remember, this should be a memory that lasts a lifetime, and as such, should largely be decided by what you both enjoy. A big part of your conversation about affordability also dives into what your dream wedding actually looks like, and if this is something that’s been loosely talked about, then it’s wise to get down on paper.
3. Stay Patient
Finally, although you might want to get everything covered by this summer, it’s okay to put things off to truly being able to afford your wedding (as well as your honeymoon). As noted by Brides.com, the average engagement length is 12 to 18 months, which while that seems like a long time, there’s no shame in waiting just a little bit longer if it means you’re having the wedding of your dreams. No one says this has to be rushed, and if you feel like it is, then perhaps it’s time to reassess the situation.
Sit down with your significant other and see if pushing your wedding back might be an option for you. As you only have one shot with this, it’s important to get right the first time, and to speculate on what you can afford could be dangerous. Furthermore, no one wants to start their marriage in a mountain of debt, so pushing this back could be a big deterrent. All-in-all, your marriage is about the happiness of you both, so make it worth the time you put in.
What are some strategies you’ve used to afford a summer wedding? Comment with your answers below.
If you are interested in even more wedding-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels then we have a lot to choose from.
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