Photo: Lauren Fair Photography
If you’re looking to plan the wedding of your dreams but don’t have much help financially, it’s still doable. Everyone knows that weddings are infamous for how expensive they are, but that’s not a reason to run away from having one just because you think it’s impossible to pay for it all by yourself. You can (and you will!) as long as you have a game plan and think outside of the box. To get you started, here are 5 creative ideas to help you pay for your wedding.
1. Start Saving Now (Even if You’re Not Engaged)
Start a savings account for your wedding and put away a few hundred dollars every month — even if you’re not engaged. Call this your secret wedding fund and when the time comes to plan your big celebration, you won’t have to start from scratch in the money-saving department.
2. Sell What You No Longer Need
Do a “spring” cleaning (no matter the month) and find things you no longer use or need. Try to sell those things, whether they are appliances, clothing, furniture, or electronics. Your trash may be someone else’s treasure, and sometimes even for a price tag that’ll help you pay your florist.
3. Get a Side Hustle
Pick up another job, whether it’s a part-time or weekend gig that’ll pay you some extra cash every month or week. Babysitting jobs, working seasonal jobs at department stores, or getting a position at a restaurant are some easy-to-find positions that will help you bump up your wedding fund stat.
4. Negotiate With Vendors
Cut costs with vendors by negotiating with them, if you can. For brides-to-be with hidden talents, go out on a limb and ask your vendors if they are interested in a barter, where you can use a skill of yours to help them — in exchange for a discount or, better yet, free service. Perhaps you’re good with SEO, marketing, or some other skill that pertains to helping small businesses, it may be worth a shot.
5. Get a “Loan” (From Yourself!)
For couples who have larger savings accounts but don’t want to readily dip into them for a wedding, to create the wedding of your dreams, you may want to reconsider. Even if it means digging deep into your account to fund your wedding, you can set up a plan to strategically use the money and keep track of it carefully. Then, once the wedding is over, use all of the checks and gifts that your wedding guests have brought to pay yourself back.
Jen Glantz is a “Professional Bridesmaid” and the founder of Bridesmaid for Hire. She’s the author of All My Friends Are Engaged and frequently wears old bridesmaid dresses to the grocery store and on first dates.
See More: The Best Way to Ask Your Parents If They’re Paying for the Wedding