Marriages Are Meant to Last the Rest of Your Life, The Receipt for the Wedding is Not

These days, on average, people are spending almost $20,000 on what some consider the most important day of their lives. A literal day is considered to be a twenty-four hour period, meaning the average wedding costs approximately $834 per hour, or $13 per minute! Most of us don't have that kind of money laying around, and would rather save that amount for buying necessities for after the wedding. So here are a few big ways to keep the cost of your wedding low but not lessen the enjoyment of the big day.

Setting Priorities

First, figure out what you consider to be the most important aspects of the wedding, the things you want to receive the most attention. If you are more focused on factors like the bridal gown and the reception venue, there are other places that can then stand to have less money thrown at it. Pare down that guest list. Not only does a smaller guest list mean a lower overhead cost, but it also means each guest gets more time to say a hello or wish the new couple congratulations. If you invite every relative you can think of, and every friend you've had since kindergarten, this will bog down socialization for the bride and groom, which will then leave less time and energy for dancing and all of that photo-taking!

Location, location, location!

The phrase "Location, location, location!" applies to weddings as well. Not only is it important to hold the wedding and reception in a place that is convenient for as many people as possible, but depending on how popular a place is for weddings, the more you will have to pay. Consider having the wedding during the week when fewer people are likely to schedule, and if the weather is nice enough, consider an outdoor wedding at national parks that offer large spaces for low costs and often come with a covered area full of tables or picnic benches. For much more intimate receptions, it's a good option to celebrate at the house of a friend or relative who happens to have plenty of room and is relatively close to where the wedding was held. Just make sure to hide the breakables, just in case!

Food for Thought

Think carefully about the food. You may want the best food for the people you care about enough to invite to such an important event, but consider that everyone has different preferences, and some have allergies, so a set menu may not always be the best idea, and often is very expensive. Consider doing something buffet-styled, which gives options, and is generally much cheaper than fancier set menus. If the reception is being held in the home of a friend or relative, or at an outdoor venue, catering is another option, as is handling the food yourself, which is helpful if you know people who love to cook enough food to feed an army. And don't forget the bar. Limiting the amount of alcohol served or cutting it out altogether can save a good chunk of money, not to mention leave the guests more able to remember the event without the potential cloud of too many free martinis.

Your wedding day shouldn't be about the price of it all. But you'll definitely remember it more favorably if you aren't spending the first five years of your married life paying it off.