BAKERSFIELD, CA.-Tiffany Chin and Andrew Lane are seniors at California State University Bakersfield who are counting down the days until they say "I do."
They're working students on a budget who want to spend a small amount on the biggest day of their lives. Fifty family members and friends are expected to attend.
Wedding planner Lotta Alexandersson of Mint Design helped them create inexpensive décor ideas.
Here is their wedding budget breakdown:
Dress: $900
Tux: $0 (groom will wear one he owns)
Venue: $800
Photography: $1500
Catering: $850
Cake: $100
Hair: $35
Makeup: $0 (gift from bridesmaids)
Centerpieces: $55
Floral: $300
Decorations: $100
Rentals: $70
DJ: $200
Drinks: $200 (Buying bulk from Costco)
Below are some tips for saving money wedding while wedding planning.
The Kern County Bridal Association has these wedding planning tips:
1. Set your priorities and budget for the things which are most important to you.
"Go a little lighter on the food and spend more on the entertainment" for example, if you care more about having a good time on the dance floor than the type of food served.
2. Backyard weddings aren't always the least expensive option.
Balance the cost of table & chair rentals, lighting expenses, parking permits and bathroom rental with the cost of an inclusive venue instead of automatically assuming the home option is cheapest.
3. Plan ahead.
Catering, DJ and venue rates increase each year. If you have the time to plan ahead, lock in a good deal before costs rise.
4. Always get a contract.
A contract will secure the agreement of price between both parties. Make sure you have a printed and electronic copy with signatures.
5. Pay with a credit card.
Hopefully nothing goes wrong with a service. But if a company suddenly goes out of business, or a vendor just doesn't show up, your credit card company can go after your money. Make sure the credit card used is not a debit card.
Moneywise Wealth Management has the following advice:
1. Set a budget early on and stick to it.
Setting a realistic budget will not only help better control finances, but you are less likely to be influenced by prices quoted by vendors which may be more than you can afford.
2. Do not go into an extreme amount of debt for a wedding.
If $10,000 will put you into debt, that is too much money. Stick to an amount that will not put you and your fiance into a huge amount of debt.
3. Place wedding expenses on a credit card as long as you pay that credit card off in full.
You do have reward points and added protections by paying with a credit card, but you could also be your biggest enemy when paying with plastic. If you don't have a history of paying off your credit card and you typically run a high balance, pay with cash instead. There are more financial risks for you than rewards.
4. Spend a small amount of money on the wedding, and more on the marriage.
Saving on the wedding provides more money for a down payment on a home, decreasing student debt, or saving for future children.
