I get it…Weddings are EXPENSIVE!!  The dress, the venue, hair & makeup, the decor, the cake, the DJ, and then to top it off the photographer and videographer.  The average couple spends between 19,000-32,000.00

WHEW!  That is pricey!  At least in my book it is.

Now I am not writing this to attack the wedding industry.  These professionals prices reflect what they are worth, their time, and their talent.  We ourselves are Wedding Photographers in the Hampton Roads area, and we come across many brides who their budget doesn’t “fit” us, and that’s okay.

Our prices are not outrageous, it just comes down to your own budget and what YOU can afford.

Your wedding day will be one of the most important days of your life.

This will be the day that you pronounce your love to your soul-mate and stand before God, your friends, and family and promise to love through whatever life may throw your way.  It is such a special day and one that you will remember for the rest of your life.  So how do you have that dream wedding and still be within a budget?  The most important thing is figure out what is important to you.  Is it the dress?  The cake?  The pictures?  (Of course I am biased, but I believe pictures are one of the most important things you can invest in.  They will be the very thing that you will go back to and remember that day.)

Make a list of what is most important to you.  If pictures are important to you then make a list of photographers who you like and would be a good fit for you.  Start with what’s most important then work your way down.

Getting it down on paper will help put things into perspective.  Next you need to make a budget.  How much total do you have to spend?  Allocate that money into the categories that are most important to you.

Now that you have it on paper go over it with your fiancé to make sure that you both are in agreement.  Starting the relationship off communicating about money is an AWESOME thing.

Luke and I have been through a lot financially over the past few years and we have come to the conclusion that Debt is not worth it.  We don’t believe in debt and actually we run from it lol!

Everyone has their own opinions and I am not writing this to argue anyone’s view.  Our view on debt comes from our own experiences.

As much as we are passionate about weddings, we are even more passionate about helping people with their finances.  Money issues are one of the leading causes of divorces in America.

 As wedding photographers, we want to see our couples OVERCOME the odds and become educated about their finances.  I wish we were educated when we were newly married…it would have saved us a lot of heartache…

A book that changed our lives and that I recommend to EVERY newly married couple is Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover

So here is an idea….A Debt Free wedding…..(Unheard of right?)  But this is not impossible.  Here are some ways you can cash-flow your wedding…

• DIY!  I cannot express this enough!  Pinterest is a Godsend in this day and age and there are so many little details that you can DIY.  This will also make those details more sentimental.  (If you are not creative, or don’t like stuff like that, then find a friend!)  I love doing crafty stuff for friends.  Just remember to be nice and show your appreciation.
• Ask for Payment plans!  The normal engagement last 1-2 years.  If this is you then you can set up payment options with your vendors.  I know that we do payment options, sometimes you just don’t have all the money up front and as long as you are willing to put down a deposit and sign a contract then most vendors would be willing to work with you.
• As Dave Ramsey says….Sell stuff!  Do you have some old electronics, clothes, or anything else you don’t use?  Then sell it and put it toward your wedding.
• Get a second job.  Being a waitress, or delivering pizzas for a temporary time will definitely pay off when you can focus on each other after the wedding instead of the wedding bills.
• Book your venue on a Sunday instead of Saturday.  The prices are cheaper usually.  (Also, the upside is that a lot of your vendors will have more availability!)
• Instead of gifts at your bridal party ask for money.  Tell them what you are saving up for ( Your venue, photographer,DJ, honeymoon…)  When people know what their money is going towards, they will find satisfaction on the day of when they see that Cake you were wanting and they helped get it for you.
• Don’t try to keep up with the Jones’  Their wedding was mostly done on credit and they are dealing with it now.  Start your marriage off right and do it debt free.
• And lastly….if you are not engaged yet and are in debt….Get out FAST!!!!  Do your future spouse a favor by being debt free going into the marriage.  What a great gift!

I know that there are more ways to Cash Flow your wedding….What are your ideas and thoughts?  Let’s help the newly engaged couple to start their Marriage off right by staying out of Debt!