10 tips for keeping wedding costs under control

Americans continue to spend too much on weddings. I know that’s an audacious statement, and some of you are thinking that your wedding is none of my business.

I get that, I really do. But I’m a financial adviser, so financial numbers speak loudly to me. Such as this one: According to The Knot’s 2015 Real Weddings Study, wedding spending reached an all-time high in 2015, at an average of $32,641. And this one: According the Census Bureau, the median household income in the U.S. was $53,657 in 2014 (the latest year for which there’s data). So the average wedding price tag is well over half of what the average family makes in one year. Simply put, that’s ridiculous. The study also reveals that nearly half of couples exceed their budget.

As we continue through June, the most popular wedding month in the U.S., here are 10 tips on cutting costs and staying on budget for your big day:

1. Quality, not quantity. The No. 1 thing you can do to keep wedding costs down is to limit your guest list. Each person that attends means more invitations, more food, more booze, more décor and more venue square footage.F
2. Put comfort in the cuisine. Instead of a seated, served and plated dinner, go for heavy hors d’oeuvres or a buffet. Also, don’t be afraid to go with informal, comfort foods like sliders, pizza and macaroni and cheese. Your guests will enjoy it and you’ll cut costs.
3. Pick a few things and do it well. Don’t go overboard with décor. Stick with simple ideas that are memorable. Instead of renting an electronic photo booth, buy an instant-film camera and create your own photo backdrop. People will remember that. Almost no one will remember your flowers.o
4. Network. It’s not just for jobs, it’s also for weddings. Instead of hiring expensive vendors, ask your friends about photographers, designers and bakers they know. Chances are a talented friend — or a talented friend of a friend — will give you a great deal.
5. Un-romanticize the dress. Brides spend an average of $1,469 on a wedding dress. Consider shopping sample sales, buying a floor model, having your own dress made or even purchasing a used wedding dress. If you need help letting go of the perfect dress ideal, remember this: Most grooms rent a tux that’s been worn dozens of times and may even wear plastic rental shoes.
6. Follow your own timing. Everyone wants a Saturday wedding, as it prevents people from taking time off work and gives them Sunday for recovery. But you can save thousands by booking a venue on any other day of the week. Same goes for choosing a wedding month that’s not high-season, such as January, February, March, April, July or November. Also, vendors often charge less for an afternoon event versus an evening one.
7. Be smart about the flowers. Only buy those that are in season. Repurpose your bridal and bridesmaid bouquets as centerpieces or common-area décor at your after-wedding venue. Don’t go overboard with the flowers. They’re expensive. Did I mention that no one will remember your flowers?r
8. The Internet is your frenemy. You see amazing, beautiful, inspiring ideas on Pinterest, but never price tags. There are some other great sites that can help you save money. Canceledweddings.com sells canceled weddings and honeymoons, while Tradesy.com sells used wedding dresses, for instance.
9. Plug ‘n’ play. Thanks to technology, invitations and music can be had on the cheap. Vistaprint.com, Tinyprints.com and Etsy.com are great resources for getting great-looking invitations and save-the-dates at reasonable prices. And instead of hiring a band or a DJ, compile a playlist, put it on your phone and plug it into a rented or borrowed sound system.
10. Beautiful settings are often free. You don’t have to spend an exorbitant amount for a ceremony or reception spot. In the right season, a public park or a friend’s farm can offer a beautiful setting for either.

The main thing is to focus on each other and on having a good time. That’s what you and your guests are going to remember, not all the trappings and accoutrements. And far better to embark upon a long and happy marriage without the added stress of having spent too much or gone into debt for a single day of celebration.

Jennifer Pagliara is a financial adviser with CapWealth Advisors. Her column appears every other week in The Tennessean. For more information, visit www.capwealthadvisors.com.