Planning your dream wedding in 2024 doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. With some wise financial planning and creative thinking, you can have a beautiful and memorable wedding without overspending. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through how to plan an elegant wedding with a $30,000-$40,000 budget (which is the average cost of most weddings in Ohio). We’ll provide tips, examples, and a breakdown of expenses to help you make the most of your money.

Setting Your Budget:

If your budget is around $30,000-$40,000, start by listing all potential sources of income, such as savings, contributions from family, and personal funds. Once you have a clear financial picture, you can allocate funds to different aspects of your wedding that you want to prioritize.

Tip 1: Prioritize Your Must-Haves:

Determine the key elements of your wedding that mean the most to you. Is it the venue, the photography, the catering, or the entertainment? Need a planner or day of coordinator to take the stress out of your big day? Make sure to allocate a larger portion of your budget to your top priorities and be more frugal with less essential items.

Example Budget Allocation:

• Venue and catering: $15,000+
• Photography and videography: $4,000-6,000
• Attire (including bride and groom): $3,000+
• Flowers and decor: $1,500-3,000
• Entertainment: $2,500
• Event Planner/Coordinator: Typically 15-20% of total budget
• Invitations/stationery/signage: $500-1,000
• Furniture/Photobooth rentals: $1,500-3,000
• Miscellaneous expenses: $2,000

Tip 2: Choose an Affordable Venue:

Consider venues that offer value for money, and even include catering/bartending. You can also look into outdoor locations, community centers, or non-traditional spaces which often cost less than premium locations. Booking your venue on a weekday or during the off-season can also result in significant savings.

Tip 3: DIY Decor and Centerpieces:

Get crafty and enlist the help of friends and family for DIY decor and centerpieces. This not only adds a personal touch but also saves on expenses. Consider looking on Facebook Marketplace for used wedding decor that’s half the price! At Ash and Oak we also have inexpensive rentals you can consider getting from us, check it out.

Tip 4: Opt for a Smaller Guest List:

Limiting your guest list can have a substantial impact on your budget. Consider inviting only your closest friends and family to keep costs in check, if this is possible.

Example:

• Reducing guest count to 100: Savings on catering, invitations, bar and more.

Tip 5: Be Strategic with Your Menu:

Choose a buffet or family-style meal instead of a plated dinner, and opt for in-season, local ingredients to reduce catering costs. For cake and desserts you can do a whole cookie bar and ask family and friends ahead of time to make and bring their favorites. Don’t want to splurge $500+ on a wedding cake? Opt for a small cake (check out Whole Foods for delicious cakes that are perfect for weddings and under $100) and you can still do cake cutting and save it for your anniversary.

Tip 6: Shop Smart for Attire:

Consider buying pre-owned wedding attire or choosing less expensive options. Look for sales, sample dresses, or consider renting.

Tip 7: Reserve funds for last minute purchases

Every bride we’ve worked makes last minute spending purchases around 2 months before the wedding day. Keep this in mind as you budget your big day and leave reserve some funds for last minute things you want to add like signage, decor, guest treats, and more!

Conclusion:

By following these tips and allocating your budget wisely, you can create an elegant wedding in 2024 for $30,000-$40,000. Remember that a beautiful and memorable wedding doesn’t have to come with an extravagant price tag. Your love and creativity can make your special day truly unforgettable without breaking the bank. Are the logistics driving you mad? Reach out and we’ll see if partial, full or day of coordination is a good fit for your dream wedding day!