{"id":7581,"date":"2015-06-08T07:32:24","date_gmt":"2015-06-08T07:32:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/?p=7581"},"modified":"2017-09-19T20:15:11","modified_gmt":"2017-09-19T20:15:11","slug":"wedding-on-a-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hrblock.com\/tax-center\/lifestyle\/financial-education\/wedding-on-a-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"Wedding On A Budget? Throw One For $6,300"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor’s Note:<\/strong>\u00a0Weddings on a budget are actually pretty trendy. Besides saving money, they force you to make more inventive and unique choices, as this guest contributor outlines below. Read on to learn how to plan a wedding on a budget…<\/em><\/p>\n

So, you\u2019re engaged! Yay! Aside from the lovey, giddy feelings, you\u2019re now staring down some major benefits of the betrothed. Namely, you get to file as married filing jointly instead of single \u2013 which is usually beneficial for most. The difference in the standard deduction is an additional $6,300. Besides being a benefit at tax time, that\u2019s actually enough dough to throw a pretty great low-budget wedding.<\/p>\n

Yes, you read that correctly. Despite seeing a barrage of celebrity weddings totaling in the hundreds of thousands \u2013 if not millions \u2013 of dollars, it is absolutely\u00a0possible to have a wonderful wedding without reaching five digits. Here are some creative ways to make this happen. (So you can spend the big bucks on your honeymoon. Bora Bora, anyone?)<\/p>\n

Wedding Budget<\/h3>\n

Here’s a budget breakdown, based on recommendations from The Knot<\/a>\u00a0and what that looks like in terms of real money for a $6,300 wedding.
\n[table]
\nItem|Percentage|Dollar Amount
\nReception|48%|$3024
\nPhotography\/Videography|11%|$693
\nAttire|10%|$630
\nEntertainment|8%|$504
\nFlowers|8%|$504
\nMiscellaneous\/Just in Case|5%|$315
\nStationery|3%|$189
\nCeremony|2%|$126
\nRings|2%|$126
\nGifts|2%|$126
\nTransportation|2%|$126
\n[\/table]<\/p>\n

Best Ways to Save for a Wedding on A Budget<\/h2>\n

Venue<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n

Sure, ballrooms are gorgeous, but they\u2019re also expensive, and they come bare bones. All those pretty little extras, like the draped tulle and soft lighting are going to bump up your bottom line.<\/p>\n

If you think beyond the box and take inspiration from your daily life \u2013 like where do you and your fianc\u00e9 enjoy spending time \u2013 you might find the best budget alternative. Art galleries<\/a>, gardens, museums and even restaurants! Typically these places come pre-decorated, so you won\u2019t have to worry about hauling in a lot of stuff.<\/p>\n

Food:<\/h3>\n

Speaking of restaurants, food doesn\u2019t come cheaply, but it can. For smaller weddings, a favorite restaurant<\/a> can be a huge money-saver. They already have the staff, the alcohol and the food. Sure, you\u2019ll probably have to shell out some cash to rent a private room or buy out the restaurant for the night, but you save money (and a headache) on servers, corkage fees, linens and d\u00e9cor.<\/p>\n

If you choose to have a reception at another location, ask your favorite restaurant to prepare some chafing dishes that a member of your party will pick up for an affordable buffet. For something a little more casual, food trucks are a super fun option<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And when it comes to the sweets? You can opt for a smaller tiered cake for the cutting and have a big supermarket sheet cake hiding in the back. Also, no one will complain if you have a dessert bar instead \u2013 hello wedding pies!<\/p>\n

Flowers:<\/h3>\n

\"PersimmonBlooms aren\u2019t for everyone \u2013 and that\u2019s a good thing, because those petals pack a pricey punch! If you\u2019re dead set on stems, use them sparingly. Know what\u2019s in-season and check out local farms or farmer\u2019s markets for larger quantities. Sure, you\u2019ll have to put a little elbow grease into arranging the bouquets, but there are tons of great DIY ideas<\/a> to help with that. Re-use your bridal party’s bouquets and any flowers from the ceremony as centerpieces during the reception, so you get the most bang for your blooms.<\/p>\n

Not in love with flowers? Brooch bouquets<\/a> can be tough to make, but they last forever and are a wonderful way to include sentimental heirlooms from family members.<\/p>\n

Attire:<\/h3>\n

This one is super simple: does it make you feel fabulous? If you\u2019re happier in a knee-length cocktail dress, then wear that for your wedding! It\u2019ll likely save you hundreds, if not thousands, to get something you\u2019re happy, comfortable and feel amazing in!<\/p>\n

A wedding with a budget of $6,300 is totally doable with the right amount of \u00a0determination. Creativity is a\u00a0currency \u2013 because it\u2019s not about how much you spend, it\u2019s about how you spend it! Good luck planning your wedding on a budget!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Editor’s Note:\u00a0Weddings on a budget are actually pretty trendy. Besides saving money, they force you to make more inventive and unique choices, as this guest contributor outlines below. Read on to learn how to plan a wedding on a budget… So, you\u2019re engaged! Yay! Aside from the lovey, giddy feelings, you\u2019re now staring down some […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":418,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[26,4783],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7581","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lifestyle","category-financial-education"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"How to Plan a Wedding on a Budget | H&R Block<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you need to plan a cheap wedding but don't where to start, H&R Block has you covered. 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