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Low-Cost, High-Impact Ways To Prepare For Your Wedding Day

Preparing for your wedding day can be a highly stressful process, leaving you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and exhausted. There are so many details to take care of, especially if you’re holding the ceremony and/or reception at your home, and so many things that could potentially go wrong. Planning for every minute detail can make the process daunting and can strip the fun out of it, so it’s important to start early and ask for help when you need it.

 Photo via Pixabay by NGDPhotoworks

Sit down and make separate lists for all the things that need to be done, the items that need to be bought, and arrangements that need to be made. Getting organized will help you feel a lot better about the process, and it will allow you to delegate some responsibility to those closest to you so that you aren’t left with the entire burden of planning on your own. Set a budget and communicate it to the people who are helping out, and talk about the process often with your partner. It may seem easier at times to just make a decision without stopping to deliberate over it, but it will be better in the long run to make sure it’s what both of you want.

Keep reading for some great cost-effective tips on how to prepare your home and yourself for the big day.

Keep your budget tight in the right spots

Looking for ways to save money is always a good idea when it comes to planning a wedding, but you don’t want to skimp on the things that really matter. You may want to splurge a bit on live music if there’s a local band that means a lot to you and your partner, or spend a bit more to have the event catered by your favorite restaurant. Saving on the smaller things -- like choosing to make your own invitations -- will help you find room in the budget for the things that mean the most.

Clean up the backyard

If you’ll be having the ceremony or reception at home, you’ll want to clean up the backyard and provide a place for guests to sit in the event of inclement weather, such as a large tent. A tent will also be a good idea on hot days. Fill in any holes that the dog has dug in the grass, give the patio furniture a nice coat of paint, and add colorful flowers and fairy lights to the entire area to add ambiance. This is a great, low-cost way to add some beauty to the entire space.

Provide for the kiddos

Having guests over means you’ll need to think about the little ones, who will want snacks and entertainment. For most kids, it doesn’t take much; snack-size bags of pretzels, fresh fruit, and string cheese will take care of their snack needs, and you can download free coloring pages online to hand out with a few crayons to keep them occupied until the festivities begin.

Ask for vendor cards

Many vendors -- florists, caterers, etc.-- will give a discount on their services if you place cards with their company’s name and logo on them on tables at the reception, giving them an advertising boost. Ask about these cards when you book their services and utilize inexpensive photo holders to display them on tables.

Use inexpensive decor

Some of the best weddings are the ones that include heartfelt mementos and handmade decorations, so don’t feel the need to go overboard with spending when it comes to floral arrangements and balloons. You can spray paint some old Mason jars for a uniform look and fill them with wildflowers to use as centerpieces, or keep the focus on lighting and place string lights, lanterns, or electric candles around your house.

Reduce stress

This can sometimes be easier said than done, but reducing stress as much as possible will help you enjoy the process of planning for your wedding day. There are some easy ways to do this, such as getting enough rest, eating a well-balanced diet, getting daily exercise, and learning when to say �"no” when something isn’t up to your standards or when someone is asking for too much of your time. You might practice yoga and meditation, as well; this is a great way to reduce stress as it allows you to focus on your breathing and learning mindfulness.

Ask for photographers

Rather than hiring an expensive photographer to document your day, ask your guests to help you out. Most people will have their smartphones with them, anyway, meaning there will be plenty of cameras aimed at you and your partner all day. Set up a sign at both the ceremony and reception asking people to snap shots and create a fun tag for Instagram where everyone can share their pics.

Keep it safe

It’s important to keep safety in mind when you’re going to have a large group of guests in your home. Floating candles, which can get too hot in glass bowls and cause them to shatter them, and tiki torches are lovely additions to lighting, but they can be dangerous, especially in small areas with a lot of people milling around. Stick to electric lights and candles when possible; if not, keep fire extinguishers at the ready and make sure all lit items are well away from paper products and other combustible decorations.

Find out who’s staying

If you have family members who will be coming from out of town, check to make sure that they have accommodations made. If not, they may be relying on you to provide them with a place to stay before and after the ceremony, so you’ll need to fix up the guest room and make sure you have enough space -- and clean towels -- for everyone.

Creating a low-cost, high-impact wedding doesn’t have to be stressful or full of anxiety. With a good plan and a little help from your loved ones, you can turn the big day into the celebration you’ve always dreamed of.

Author

Alice Robertson began her career in the home organization industry as a professional house cleaner. After cleaning and organizing her clients’ homes for years, she decided to open her own home organization business. Over the years, she has built an impressive client list, helping to make spaces in homes and businesses more functional. She recently created tidyhome.info as a place to share the great cleaning and organizing advice she has developed over the years.