Non-Traditional Weddings Are In: 4 Tips to Make Yours Memorable Without Breaking the Bank
Weddings aren’t cheap. You know this, but that doesn’t make the numbers any less shocking. The average American couple spent north of $25,000 to tie the knot in 2017, more than half the national median income per capita that year.
That’s the bad news. The good news is, about 50 percent of all couples manage to get hitched for less than $15,000 out the door. Whether that sounds like an acceptable sum to you probably depends on your budget, vision, and the resources (if any) your relatives bring to bear.
If you’re trying to reduce the cost of your wedding without cutting any corners, get on the non-traditional wedding bandwagon with these four starter ideas. There’s no better way to celebrate your individuality and save some dough in the process.
Gown Down
We need to talk about that wedding gown.
Sure, nothing symbolizes a traditional American wedding like a brilliant white gown trailing its endless, glorious train.
That fabric doesn’t come cheap, though. And it’s hopelessly dirtied after a single use. And…you get the idea.
Consider the alternative — any alternative. How about a blush gown to complement your reception’s free-flowing rose wine? Or an earth-toned dress, the better to highlight your outdoor ceremony space? Perhaps an edgy, dark-toned gown that fades into your spouse’s get-up, transforming you into a single-hearted spirit animal?
The sky’s the limit, folks. Think outside the box.
Skip the Diamond Ring
A ring is a ring is a ring. Right?
Nothing against traditional diamond rings, but brides who settle on diamond without seeing what else is out there sell the world’s near-infinite variety short. Why not opt for a sapphire engagement ring with smaller offsetting diamonds, a mesmerizing peridot set against white gold, a ruby made to keep the flame alive for all time?
Get It Done Early
If your overriding goal is to end your wedding day in the black, you’ll want to wrap up early — literally. Morning weddings are invariably cheaper than traditional afternoon-into-evening affairs, not least because they tend to go down at cheap or free venues: public parks, backyards, community centers. Plus, there’s nothing quite like exchanging your vows against a glowing sunrise backdrop.
Skip the Formal Dinner
Two words: buffet line.
Sure, there’s something to be said for a formal, sit-down dinner that gives you a chance to reset after cocktail hour and prepare for the rest of the night. And who doesn’t like being waited on hand and foot? But here’s the deal: formal dinner service is pricey, and wedding caterers aren’t shy about jacking up prices beyond all reason. Swap the table service for a build-your-own burrito bar or pizza spread and let your guests do their own thing.
Are You Planning a Non-Traditional Wedding?
Throw out the storybooks. Ditch the lace. Kick the train to the curb.
Thanks to fiercely independent brides-to-be, dear reader, there’s never been a better time to plan a non-traditional wedding. Whatever your vision, you’re sure to find willing partners to help you create the perfect nuptials. No matter how furrowed your traditionalist relatives’ brows grow. This is your big day, after all, and no one gets to tell you how it’s going to play out but you.