Green Budget
Being eco-conscious doesn't mean you can't be financially responsible too. There is no reason to start your new life together in debt by going overboard on the spending for your big day. Save money instead of borrowing or charging up your credit cards. Put money aside for the wedding and budget accordingly. Going green doesn't have to break your budget.
According to Condé Nast, the average American wedding costs around $27,825. Every wedding expense has increased 20 percent since 2002, and the amount of money spent on the average wedding has increased 100 percent since 1992.
Creating a Budget
To stay within your budget, you need to first sit down and create a budget. Figure out exactly how much money you have to spend. Putting it all down on paper makes it more real. If you keep track of all your spending, you are more likely to spend less. This is where a wedding planner book comes in handy, although a spreadsheet you design yourself can also work. Charts and lists help you keep track of everything, and pocket folders help you organize all your receipts and paperwork.
If you don't use a custom planner book, create your own and use a more detailed breakdown of expenses to give you a budget average. For instance, instead of grouping bride's attire into one category, break it down into dress, veil, shoes, and accessories. Write down how much you have in your budget for each item, and then record how much you actually spend as you make purchases. If you go over budget on one thing, you can see where you can cut or recoup costs somewhere else. Say you budgeted $500 for your dress but ended up spending $750. However, you budgeted $400 for the cake but your mom offered to buy it for you for free. By keeping track, you'll know you are still within your budget with $150 to spare. There are computer programs such as Microsoft Excel that can help you keep track of your budget and your spending.
Seventy-nine percent of couples pay for part of their own weddings. The bride's family traditionally paid for the wedding, but this is becoming less common as couples marry later in life and are more financially independent when they decide to tie the knot.
Small, Simple, Sustainable
Keep your spending under control by remembering these three words: small, simple, and sustainable.
Keep your wedding small by not inviting every single person you've ever come in contact with or whom you might be related to. Keep things simple by purchasing and using only what you need. Whenever you make a purchase, try to make sure it is made from a sustainable resource.
The most eco-friendly wedding would be one that consisted of the couple, the officiant, and the legally required witnesses. This could take place at city hall, in a chapel in Las Vegas, or on a beach on a tropical island. However, no matter how appealing that may sound, the simplest solution may not be for you. For some couples, small and simple just may not work. Perhaps you have a huge family or you've always dreamed of a big wedding. That's okay; as long as you plan responsibly, you can have your big affair and still do it in a green way without going into debt.
Buying the Right Products
Some people think that buying green products and using green services costs more than using regular products and services. It doesn't. While sometimes the initial expense may be more, you will save money in the long run. For instance, the durability of hemp and bamboo fabrics means that they will last longer than their synthetic counterparts. Products made from these fabrics may cost more, but they last much longer and will not wear out and need to be replaced as quickly.
When it comes to planning your green wedding, there are many eco-options that will not hurt your pocketbook. The average cost of a wedding dress is around $1,300, and it is not uncommon for a bride to pay upward of $2,000 for a designer gown. Bridal gowns made from sustainable and organic fabrics can be as much as $1,000 but most cost much, much less. You'll pay a fraction of the original price for a used gown, and an heirloom or borrowed gown will be free, except for cleaning costs and possible alteration fees. Hemp suits cost about the same as renting a designer-brand tuxedo, but you'll have the added advantage of being able to wear it over and over again.
Some parks and local nonprofits such as museums request a donation or small fee to use their park or building for special events such as weddings. Search around in your area to see how much it costs to hold your wedding in different eco-friendly areas.
If you embrace the concept of reusing, you'll buy things that will serve double duty; they can be used at your wedding, then reused in your home. Glassware, dinnerware, table linens, baskets, potted plants, and trees are all items you can incorporate into your postwedding life.
Where to Shop
Another way to keep costs at a minimum is by shopping at local antique shops, thrift stores, and yard sales instead of bridal boutiques and wedding supercenters. You'll spend much less, find quality items that can be reused, and enjoy the treasure hunt.
There are other ways to keep costs down:
Borrowing or renting items instead of buying them will definitely keep you within your budget.
Keep it simple. If you don't need it, forget it. Don't let the caterer talk you into ten kinds of hors d'oeuvres or four kinds of dessert. Keep it to a minimum; four hors d'oeuvres are plenty and you only need the cake as dessert.
There is no rule that you have to provide alcohol, which can be a big expense. If you do, keep it to a white bar to minimize the cost. A white bar consists of mostly white beverages like white rum, vodka, and white wine. These are the alcoholic beverages available for straight or mixed drinks. There is also the option of having a cash bar. Let guests get toasted on their own dime.
Consider getting married on a weekday. Venues and vendors often charge less during the week.
Always do plenty of research and compare prices.
Get married in the off-season — November through April — when venues are often cheaper.
Have your ceremony and reception earlier in the day so you don't have to provide dinner.
Check your area for schools and/or students who would be willing to work for lower fees or maybe even just at the cost of materials. Culinary schools, floral design programs, and photography programs are all great places to find up-and-coming talent who might jump at the chance of having a project to put on their resume and in their portfolio.
Consider a meatless menu. Meat raises food costs dramatically. Stick to veggies, breads, and pasta dishes to cut expenses.
Use talented friends and family instead of hiring vendors. Is Cousin Billy an aspiring DJ? Is Aunt Maude an amazing baker? See who is willing to donate time and talent for a good cause — your wedding.
Last but not least, stick to your budget by shopping local and in season. It cuts out costly shipping expenses, and you'll be supporting your local economy.
Search the Internet for more creative money-saving advice, tips, and resources.
