Do you have a wedding budget? Of course you do. It could be $15,000 or $500,000. Either way, there comes a limit to what you want to spend on your wedding. Don’t be fooled, as there are many things that won’t cost you money during your wedding. Surprisingly, they tend to be the most memorable parts.
Here are some of our favorite FREE wedding elements:
VOWS: This is where you really show your love and can shine in the eyes of your guests. While you may have your ideal bouquet, people are going to remember the sentimental words of your vows more so than what your wedding bouquet looked liked.
CEREMONY SEATING: There’s a fee associated with the ceremony chairs, rental space, and labor. There’s not a fee to arrange your chairs at a slant, in a circle, or on three sides of the altar. Unique arrangements aren’t going to cost you a dime, but it will look amazing in photos and could give your guests a better view of you two.
HASHTAGS: They are FREE to create. Consider creating a hashtag for your wedding. Then your guests can share all the photos and video with you in one spot. There might be a small cost in making signs to let guests know your hashtags, but it’s a small price to pay to have all your guests share images from your wedding. PERK: it’s fun to see photos of things you missed.
One our our hashtags is #sawourweddings
ACCESSORIES: We all know the saying “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”. All of these can be FREE.
OLD: Use the pendant your Mother got at her wedding
NEW: One of your bridesmaids may have bought you jewelry for a bridal shower gift. It’s new and you didn’t have to pay for it out of your wedding budget
BORROWED: Of course this if FREE. Handkerchief, veil, earrings… this is a long list to choose from
BLUE: take a blue marker and write on the bottom of both our shoes, a cute saying. You could have “I’m his” and he could have “I’m hers”, and don’t forget to take a photo when you’re sitting down and feet it. It may be the only time you sit during your wedding.
FIRST DANCE: Let’s face it, not all your guests are going to care that you two are swaying back and forth to Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. Anyone can do that. Design a dance that is creative and/or interactive. Indian couples are known for choregraphing amazing dances. You don’t have to be an expert or pay a professional… just do some research online for ideas or do what you are best at.
RECEPTION & DINNER FLOOR PLAN
Just like the ceremony, there is a fee to rent the reception space, table, chairs, etc. There’s not a fee to arrange the dinner and reception in a way that creates its own work of art. If you have a small guest count, do a huge estate table. If you have a medium guest count, do a mix of banquet tables and round tables. If you have a large guest count, you can do almost anything.
THANK YOU TOASTS
It’s pretty common for the happy couple to do a “Thank you toast” to everyone present at the wedding. Of course, this is a FREE item that you can implement during your wedding. Just don’t make it too unpersonal or too long. Tell your family and friends how elated you are to have them in attendance and sharing the best day of your lives. Have some fun and make this memorable. You don’t need to go out and make this a huge production, just think of ways that characterize you and reflect that in your toast. Some fun and simple ideas to make it memorable:
Create a poem (rhyming is optional)
Create a song or rap.
Use props: funny champagne flutes, oversize coffee mugs if you are coffee lovers, or try to relay your thank you before a sparkler dies out (outdoor weddings).
Take center stage and stand on the dance floor or other location where you are most visible. Don’t hide behind your sweetheart table
Do a skit
Combine your thank you toast. Don’t each of you speak one at a time… write up something where you each say every other sentence
Changes the lyrics to one of your favorite songs
In the end of the day, there are many ways you can save money or find unique free things to use and incorporate at your wedding. If you have any fun ideas that didn't cost you money, comment and share your ideas. Happy planning.