As the weather gets colder and winter approaches, many couples consider holding inexpensive winter wedding ceremonies and receptions inside. While this is an excellent option for those who live in more temperate climates, it can mean that you will have to spend a little extra on decorations, food, and entertainment options. In addition to following the inexpensive winter wedding tips below, be sure to consult your wedding venue’s specific policies on decorating so you do not break any rules.
Seating Capacity of the Venue
Make sure you invite people who want to attend. Do not be afraid to be strict with your guest list! If someone has no interest in seeing you get married, there is no reason to have insomnia thinking about inviting them. It might make things a little awkward if they ask to come and you have to say ‘no,’ but it is better than having to pay for their furniture rental during your inexpensive winter wedding ceremony when they do not show up anyway.
If the inexpensive winter wedding is held in a large venue, many people will likely attend. Therefore, it would be best to choose an affordable caterer that does not provide ‘all-in’ pricing options. All-in pricing can often lead to hidden costs, making the event more expensive than initially thought, especially if the food is not very good, which tends to happen at less expensive restaurants.
Guest List and Type of Reception
When planning for an inexpensive winter wedding, if you can forego inviting certain family members or friends, consider spending the saved money on a larger reception instead and a well-equipped venue. Rather than splurging on food and drink for just 50 more people, the couple may spend the money on many different add-ons such as another ice sculpture or an open bar for two hours instead of just one hour, as well as invest in a venue with a fire pit. This will ensure that everyone in attendance has a great time.
Choosing food and drinks that are inexpensive but tasty is always a good idea when holding an affordable winter wedding. This can be done by choosing to have finger food instead of plated meals, choosing beverages with the highest amount of alcohol for the lowest cost, or keeping portions small yet numerous. These are just some examples of saving money while still providing delicious dishes for guests at inexpensive winter wedding receptions.
The phrase “you get what you pay for” holds in many aspects of life, especially with regards to venues for weddings. If an outlet is cheap, it may mean hidden costs involved, such as less power availability or poor sound insulation: these things can end up being more costly than just going to a better venue from the start. An ideal facility should consider hiring a renovation service, investing in furnace repair, and scheduling a snow removal service to create a suitable environment for the wedding ceremony.
The Dress Code
It is simple: the more expensive the dress, typically the more formal it will be. This includes things like intricately designed sleeves and train length. Therefore, if one does not wish to look super formal, you may consider opting for a less expensive dress by purchasing a gown or having dresses made out of less expensive fabric.
Attire that is too formal will typically have a considerable price tag attached to it. Clothing that is more formal, such as long gowns, tuxedos with tails, and anything denoting military rank, can be pricey. Instead of requiring guests to wear this type of attire at your inexpensive winter wedding, consider asking them to dress up in lovely outfits instead. This will eliminate the need to rent expensive clothing while still allowing people to have fun dressing up for the big day.
Therefore, if the wedding is more casual, dresses for women should be avoided and not required. For men, wearing suits with short jackets rather than long ones can help cut costs, especially for anyone who may only wear the clothing one time.
Bridesmaids and Flower Girls
For flower girls, ring bearers, and bridesmaids in an inexpensive winter wedding, it is recommended to have one fewer than the amount of actual wedding party members in attendance. This will help save money on outfits for these individuals so they can have more affordable options. For instance, if a couple has three children they wish to include in their bridal party, they may opt to have two maids of honor instead of four or three in total. This is a much better solution than just having no flower girl or ring bearer at all.
Ensure you dress your bridesmaids in dresses that can be worn again. There is no reason why your favorite ladies — and even you — should wear uncomfortable, over-the-top dresses that will go out of style as soon as the party is over. Instead, choose something flattering and straightforward that will not take away from the beauty of the ceremony itself: so not only does it save money, but you also will avoid having to deal with an outfit you know you will never use again!
Be Realistic
Again, being strict with your guest list when planning an inexpensive winter wedding will allow you to save more money because you will not have to pay for anyone who does not end up showing up! This is also important if you are planning on inviting children: if they do not attend, make sure you adjust your budget accordingly.
There is no shame in asking the people closest to you for assistance with tasks like decorating and catering for your inexpensive winter wedding. It is better than trying to do everything yourself or paying too much money because it seems like a hassle! If people offer their services, whether at the church or venue, then take them up on it: but do not feel pressured into accepting invitations that are not right for you either.
When planning an inexpensive winter wedding, be realistic about gift expectations. For favors or gifts, it would be best not to skimp too much on these items because, generally speaking, cheap trinkets will not be well received by guests, who can tell they were given an inexpensive gift. Another essential thing to remember is that most favors and gifts will be put away somewhere, so it does not matter as much as the items themselves look as to how much they cost.
If you cannot afford gifts, tell your guests that anything they give will be appreciated if you are in a position. Alternatively, can you also try to clarify your gift expectations? For instance, you may inform your guests that a present is not necessary but would be greatly appreciated; however, they should note it is not expected.
Music and Entertainment
Saving money on entertainment does not necessarily mean having no live music; it just means that couples should look into options to have quality entertainment at a low price. This could mean hiring local talent or asking musician friends to play during the reception rather than paying them days in advance for rehearsing and performing at various events throughout the season.
Those who want live music but do not want to spend a lot of money consider hiring one or two people to play and mingle during the reception. This way, guests will still enjoy their music but not have to pay for it like they would if an entire band was playing, which may be hard to fit into the budget.
When planning an inexpensive winter wedding, it is important to note that famous musicians may be pretty costly. Still, regional artists are often more than willing to play at weddings for free (or for very cheap rates). Do some research in your area to find rising stars who might be interested in playing at an event. You will then be able to choose between different acts, which will ensure that every member of the audience enjoys themselves equally!
Be selective with music, as hiring a band for your reception can eat away at your budget, so make sure you select songs carefully rather than hiring an entire crew — unless, of course, you enjoy the live music. You could even play CDs or ask family members to bring their favorite records along to save money!
If live music or entertainment is desired, it would be best to choose options that do not break the bank, such as having a DJ instead of hiring an entire band, opting for soloists instead of ensembles, and doing without openers/closers altogether. Those who want live music may also consider doing things such as having a small jazz ensemble play for the cocktail hour and then switching over to.
Budget for the Wedding
It is essential to consider all aspects of planning an inexpensive winter wedding when creating a budget for the wedding. It would be best not to neglect anything so that it does not turn into an unpleasant experience if the expenses become too much. Being proactive in addressing costs is always better than waiting until there is not enough money before speaking with anyone about how things will be funded.
When planning a winter wedding on a budget, couples can work together to find someone they would like to help them celebrate their wedding day and then ask that person if they are willing to take on this role instead of having everyone else come merely out of obligation or thanks to wedding day favors. It is best not to skimp too much on food and drinks because people will notice. Be sure to offer enough of each for everyone attending without requiring guests to pay too much money. If liquor sponsors or raffle prizes provide free alcoholic drinks instead of having open bars, it can save money. Also, for those wanting champagne during the toast, consider keeping prosecco on hand so that everyone gets something they like even if they do not wish to champagne.
All items, including blinds, should be considered equally when creating a budget for the wedding. It would be best if all of the most critical aspects were given their due number before moving onto any areas that might seem less essential, such as entertainment.
Prepare Ahead of Time
If you are planning an inexpensive winter wedding, start preparing as soon as possible and not wait until the last minute. This allows you to take advantage of sales to save more money on whatever you need: from flowers to place settings and to acquire tooth cleaning services to give your smile an appealing look.
Be open-minded when making a budget forecast, be sure to include items that you may not have thought about. It is easy to forget things like passports if you are traveling abroad, for example, so get in the habit of checking your budget every few days during the planning process, so nothing slips through the cracks!
Look for wedding deals during the planning of your wedding, including getting an ideal venue that may be a suitable assisted living facility. There is nothing wrong with asking if vendors have any special offers! They might be able to offer discounts or freebies if it is the slow season for them. However, remember that even though they may say ‘yes’ on the day of your wedding itself, this does not mean they will forget about it afterward: always follow up!
Wedding Photography and Film
It is essential to prioritize photography and film above all other aspects of the wedding; having quality photos and video makes these events particular. Therefore, skimping on them is not recommended. For those wanting lighter, low-weight cameras, consider investing in GoPro cameras instead of professional-grade cameras. These can do everything regular cameras can while also taking videos when mounted onto helmets or attached to a surfboard.
Build Your Wedding Around a Theme
If you pick an overarching concept, you can incorporate all of the decoration through various means. A fancy-dress party would work perfectly with masquerade masks and boas, while winter wonderlands are easily brought to life with faux snow and ice sculptures. You might also consider an ‘alpine’ feeling if the weather permits.
Choose colors that evoke warmth. For instance, a palette of deep reds or greens will quickly create a cozy ambiance. If you want something a less Christmas-y, autumnal colors such as pumpkin, rust and terracotta also convey ideas of firelight and comfort. Go for candles if you are short on cash. Candles are beautiful decorations that will provide virtually no rental fee for your venue. Be sure to exercise caution by keeping them away from anything flammable.
Check your public library’s book sale for many inexpensive options. Crumble up some pages, pierce them with arrowheads and decorate with votive candles placed inside, but be sure they are heatproof. You can also print out an image of a tent or teepee and place it near the venue entrance; it will not be too apparent that you did not create the shape yourself!
It is essential that you feel like your day is perfect and that elements represent what your wedding means to you and your partner. By budgeting and planning ahead, you can make your dreams come true during your inexpensive winter wedding celebration!
