Your dream wedding doesn’t have to be expensive – especially in the Philippines. If you’re working with a tight budget and you think it won’t afford the wedding you’ve always wanted, worry no more. Here are some tips to plan and pull off an inexpensive, but ideal, dream wedding.
1. Think off-peak season. Most Filipino weddings are held in May to June and December to February. Choose the months of March to April or July to November. Having a relatively low demand for wedding services or products, wedding suppliers might be offering discounts and better deals and they usually have more time to focus on your wedding during these months. Also, instead of the usual lunch or dinner reception, you can opt for a breakfast, brunch or mid-afternoon snack reception. Breakfast menus are less costly than lunch or dinner.
2. Do-It-Yourself weddings are now a trend. Not only do these DIY touches add a little bit of your personality and style, but they can also save you money in the long run. You can make your own invitations and stationery, centerpieces, decor, bridal accessories, and favors. But if you want to keep your sanity, avoid DIY in these areas: food, flowers and photos.
3. Have a civil wedding. They may be held in restaurants and private resorts nowadays, even at your own home! Whatever the situation and how much your budget may be, always keep in mind that what’s most important is that you are marrying the one you love.
4. Save on your bridal attire by being a smart dresser. Buy your own fabric and have your tried and tested dressmaker imitate expensive looking gowns that you can pick from bridal magazines. Or you can go to Divisoria where you can buy bridal gowns for as low as P5,000, barongs at P1000 and entourage gowns at P700.
5. Seek the help of family and friends. Enlist the help of your friends or relatives to serve as wedding planners/coordinators. Commission your photography enthusiast relatives and friends. A creative cousin can help you wrap gifts, or your friends can prepare a video presentation. You’d be amazed at how much your family (and your future husband’s family) and your friends would love to help out. Just remember that they want to enjoy your wedding day as well. Limit personalized creations to things that will be finished by the time of your wedding so they can sit and enjoy the celebration as guests.
What tips have you got when planning a small wedding on a budget?