13 ways you can save money on your wedding without looking cheap.
There are a few things in life that cost a lot of money and there is no way around it. Whether it’s your first home, or a new car they inevitably punch a big hole in that savings account. But your wedding isn’t one of those things that should set you back.
The average Australian wedding costs $36,000 in 2022. According to Moneysmart.gov.au, 82% of couples dipped into their savings, another 60% took out a loan and 18% put it on credit.
No one should have to go into debt because of their wedding. So, the crew at The Eleventh Agency have put their pretty little heads together and compiled a list of budget friendly ideas for your big day.
A destination wedding
There is a common misconception that a destination wedding is much more expensive that one at home. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Data from Traveltriangle.com puts the average cost of a destination wedding in Bali at $15,000. Read that again. $15,000!!
Of course the additions to the wedding, catering, venue etc. will all affect this price, but right from the get go you are on the right side of spending.
A wedding date for your budget
Bali has exceptional weather and stunning sunsets that make for a picture perfect wedding.
The most popular months to say “I do.” in Bali are between May and October, because it’s less likely rain. To save some cashola, consider having your wedding outside of these months. March, April and November are great months and being “out of season” venues generally have cheaper off-peak rates so you could find your perfect venue at a cheaper cost.
Ceremony and reception at the same place
While the traditional wedding still holds, many newly weds in Australia are choosing to buck the trend of hiring a venue for the ceremony and another venue for the reception.
The best part of having a destination wedding in Bali is that your venue of choice is where you will have both the reception and ceremony saving you thousands of dollars not having to hire two venues. You also have the added savings of not having to hire any transport between venues and think of the stress you’ll cut out not having to get from A to B on your wedding day. Your guests will also be thanking you.
DJ or live music
It’s not a wedding without some dancing. It’s just not, and the cost of hiring a DJ or band for the night comes with a pretty price tag. But how do you get the music without a professional?
Lots of couples are putting together their own playlists and simply plugging in their device. You will still need someone to control the tunes for the speeches etc. So why not get the Master or Ceremonies to be in charge of this?
If you do still want a DJ, singer or band, why not just hire them for a few hours? A live band or singer is great during dinner and a DJ is perfect to get those toes tapping afterwards.
Intimate is not a bad thing
Weddings come in all shapes and sizes. The average Australian wedding has a wedding party of 8 and a guest list of 100. That is a lot of mouths to cater for.
Don’t think of intimate as small, think of it as a special event. Something you can share with the privileged few you have invited. Micro weddings are gaining in popularity and create strong bonds for all in attendance.
It’s about the people that are the most important to you. People you see regularly, share secrets with and have a bond with. A Micro-wedding isn’t about long lost relatives or your Aunt’s friend Joan from the bowls club.
The flexibility and intimate environment a Micro-wedding creates is why it is now the wedding of choice.
Invitations
If you have had a wedding planned anywhere between 2020 and 2022 you probably already know what a hassle it is to get professionally designed wedding invitations reprinted, not to mention the cost.
This is where technology comes in to save the day. Online invitations and websites are now gaining popularity due to the ease of making changes. The best part is that everything is centralised. You can have a personalised landing page, you can track RSVP’s and even post the photos from the big day for everyone to see. The design team at The Eleventh Agency can also manage everything for you so that you can focus on what’s more important.
Hens and bucks nights
They’re fun. They are, but they’re also expensive for soon-to-be couple and their wedding guests. So how can you celebrate with those closest to you?
You come to Bali.
The cost of a night out in Bali is a fraction of the price in Australia, but why limit it to a boozy night out? Why not have a spa day followed by a cocktail or two and dinner. Or maybe a fun day playing mini golf with some beers. There are so many activities you can do with your besties that break the tradition of L plates, plastic willies and people that are scantly clothed. The Eleventh Agency can create a one-of-a-kind event that will give you more than just a hangover and some blurry memories.
Catering
No wedding is complete without something to eat, but you don’t have to have a 3 course sit down dinner. It’s 2022 and we’ve just gone through a pandemic so let’s spice it up a little.
Family sharing style is casual and a much better alternative to the budget friendly buffet.
Another fantastic option is to have roaming canapés for you and your guests. This allows everyone to mingle and feel a little more at ease. The cocktail style also means you don’t have to spend hours putting together a seating plan. Bonus!
Booze
There are so many options when it comes to serving alcohol at a wedding. You want your guests to have fun, loosen up and celebrate your big day. So how do you make sure it wont end up costing you a fortune.
An open bar is the easiest option but if you don’t carefully consider what drinks are available and your budget then it will quickly become a financial nightmare.
A destination wedding in Bali will make you crave cocktails, and we hear you! But instead of having a full menu of drinks limit the options to a signature cocktail. This will save money on the spirits and time for the staff.
We also recommend to save the champagne for the wedding party and keep spirits off the menu entirely.
The dress
Probably the most expensive dress you will ever buy will be your wedding dress. It doesn’t have to be.
We understand that the dress is important and many memories surround the wedding dress, but if you are looking at brining the costs down then we recommend renting a dress for the wedding.
There are lots of options to choose from and now online companies also cater for the gents too. They can also deliver straight to your door. And with the savings on hiring why not hire two dresses? One for the ceremony and a more comfortable option for the ceremony.
The cake
They’re traditional, they’re big and they cost a fortune, but a cake is just one of the ingredients couples want to add to their wedding days.
When it comes to cakes it’s best to shop around. A lot of bakeries jack up the price of a cake when they hear the word “wedding”, so don’t say yes to the first offer.
There are also many alternatives to having a cake whether is be cookies, cupcakes, doughnuts or cheese. Choosing the right option for you instead of following tradition can save you money.
Flowers
Floral arrangements whether fresh or dried bring the whole day together. They add colour, class and a dash of your own style.
When thinking about what flowers to pick for your ceremony and reception we recommend to think local. Local flowers are a much cheaper option than those that are flow in from overseas. You might also want to skip the flowers all together and go for bold tropical leaves. There is no end to how creative or extravagant you can be with floral options, so get onto Pintrest and start looking for some money saving options.
The honeymoon
The best thing about a destination wedding here in Bali is that you’re already overseas. You’re practically combining your wedding with your honeymoon. How good is that?
However, if you are wanting a few days away after all the celebrations to be husband and wife there are plenty of options to choose from.
How does a couple of days sailing around Raja Ampat on your own personal boat sound? Or maybe a fully catered stay in a secluded jungle villa complete with massage therapist? If you have a dream for your honeymoon, then let The Eleventh Agency create a truly special honeymoon for you. With all the money you’ve saved on your wedding you can splurge a little on the first holiday as Husband and Wife.
To find out how The Eleventh Agency can help you stay within your budget click here.