If you recently became engaged, the euphoria of the big moment took you to the clouds. It was the moment you dreamed of your entire life. But now the reality of planning the actual wedding has brought you back down to earth, where things cost real money. So how do you go about putting together an incredible wedding, while still making it classy and memorable? Here’s a few tips.

1. Set a realistic budget: First and foremost, determine how much you can afford to spend and stick to it. Do not go into debt tying the knot. You have an entire lifetime ahead of you and you are likely going to need financial resources for a home, children, schooling and so much more.
2. Prioritize: Decide on what aspects of the wedding are most important to you and allocate your budget accordingly. If you and your future spouse are foodies, you may want to allocate more towards an incredible meal and less on something else.
3. Simplify the guest list: The most significant expense of a wedding is typically the guest list. Consider inviting only close family members and friends, and keep the wedding party small. This will not only reduce the cost of food and beverages but also the size of the venue, decorations, and overall expenses. You might consider doing a less formal, more casual reception for those who you cannot invite to the family-only event.
4. DIY decorations: Create your own centerpieces, flower arrangements, and other decorations to save money. Check out online tutorials and use materials like candles, fairy lights, and flowers to decorate your venue. You can also ask family and friends to pitch in and help you create personalized decorations.
5. Use technology: Create a wedding website instead of printed invitations and use email to communicate with vendors. It not only makes communications more modern and efficient, but you also reduce your carbon footprint by saving paper and all the resources required to deliver hard invites through the mail.
6. Serve budget-friendly food: Consider serving appetizers, a buffet-style meal, or food trucks instead of a sit-down dinner. If you start your wedding a little earlier in the day so the reception falls between lunch and dinner, it will make this approach more, well, appetizing.
7. Opt for a smaller cake: Choose a smaller cake and supplement it with sheet cakes or cupcakes. Check with your local bakery for these types of options. They’ve undoubtedly been tasked with finding budget-friendly solutions before.
8. Shop for deals: Most people plan their wedding a year in advance, so you are like most people, you should have plenty of time to look for sales and discounts when purchasing attire, decor, and other wedding essentials.
9. Have a cash bar: Alcohol can be one of the most significant expenses at a wedding. Consider having a cash bar or limiting the drink options to beer and wine instead of offering a full bar. You can also choose to serve signature drinks, which are more cost-effective and can add a personal touch to your wedding. Consider kicking off the reception with signature drinks, with a cash bar as an option beyond that.
10. Choose an off-peak date and time: Consider having your wedding on a weekday, or during the off-season when venues and vendors are more likely to offer discounts. Hosting your wedding earlier in the day or during brunch hours can also save you money, as breakfast and lunch menus are typically less expensive than dinner.

As for the venue, if you don’t have access to a site you can use for free or for very little, like a good friend’s home, a park, or your church’s hall, you need to shop around for a suitable venue. With five beautiful venues all across the greater Vegas area, you’re sure to find the right venue to celebrate your union and kick things off right. Contact us today and see how we can help you throw the wedding and reception of your dreams at any one of our fabulous golf clubs: Aliante Golf Club, The Legacy Golf Club, Primm Valley Golf Club, Spanish Trail Country Club, or Wildhorse Golf Club. For more about your wedding venue choices in Las Vegas, contact the experts at Occassions4.us.

Regardless of what you decide to do to save money, the number one rule of thumb should be to keep it simple. Extravagance costs money. Remember that the focus of the wedding should be on celebrating your love, not on extravagant details. Keep things simple and enjoy the day with your loved ones.