Planning A Budget Wedding: 2-Month Guide

Planning a wedding in two months is a challenge, but it can be done. The key is to make quick decisions and stick to them. It's also important to be realistic about your budget and what you can achieve in the time available. This might mean forgoing some of the traditional elements of a wedding, such as bridesmaids or a custom-made dress.

Venue: consider a restaurant or a pavilion in a park

If you're looking to plan a wedding on a budget in a short space of time, one of the most important things to consider is the venue. A restaurant or a pavilion in a park are great options for a cheap wedding venue, especially if you're looking to get married in two months.

Restaurants are a good choice because they don't usually charge a venue fee, they simply charge per person for food. This means you can save money on catering, as you won't need to hire an external caterer. It also means less legwork for you, as you won't need to source tables, chairs, and other furniture. If you're looking for a small wedding, a restaurant is a great option as you can simply rent out a private room.

If you're looking for something a little different, a pavilion in a park can be a great, cheap option. Parks can be very private, and you can rent chairs for the ceremony. You can decorate picnic tables with nice linens, and find a good caterer to come in. If you're getting married in the summer, an outdoor wedding can be a beautiful, budget-friendly option.

When choosing a venue, it's important to act quickly. Take advantage of virtual tours, then select a few favourites to visit in person. You might also want to consider getting married on a weekday, as you'll have more availability.

Catering: don't self-cater, but also don't make your own food

Planning a wedding in two months is a challenge, but it's certainly possible. One of the most important things to remember is to commit to making decisions quickly.

When it comes to catering, it's important to strike a balance. While self-catering may seem like a cost-saving option, it will only add to your stress on the day. Equally, making your own food is not advisable. Instead, look for a good caterer who can come to your venue. If you're trying to keep costs down, consider renting a pavilion in a park, which can be very cheap, and ask your caterer to set up there. You could also look into nice restaurants and rent out a private room, which may be a good option as most restaurants only charge per person for food and don't have a venue fee.

To save money, you could opt for simple centrepieces, such as dollar store candles and glass, or even no centrepieces at all if you're having an outdoor wedding. You could also skip the bridesmaids, which will save you money on buying them a gift.

Remember, the key to planning a wedding on a short timeline is to be decisive and flexible.

Flowers: save money by using candles and glass as centrepieces

Planning a wedding in two months is a challenge, but it can be done. The first thing to do is to set a realistic budget. You can save money on flowers by using candles and glass as centrepieces. Dollar store candles and glass cost as little as $1 each. You can also save money by not having bridesmaids, and by choosing a small venue, such as a restaurant, which will only charge per person for food.

When it comes to the dress, you may not have time to order a traditional wedding gown from a boutique, so consider buying off the rack.

It's important to commit to making decisions quickly. Consider getting married on a weekday, as venues will have more availability. Book your wedding venue, wedding planner and photographer first. Take advantage of virtual tours to narrow down your venue options, then visit a few in person. Keep track of details such as prices in a notebook or wedding planning binder.

Dress: buy off the rack

Planning a wedding in two months can be stressful, but it's definitely doable. One of the most important things to keep in mind is to commit to making decisions quickly and sticking to them.

When it comes to the dress, buying off the rack is a great option if you're short on time. You may not have time to order a custom gown or even wait for a traditional wedding gown from a boutique, so off-the-rack options are a more time-efficient and often more affordable choice.

Start by setting a realistic budget for your dress. This will help you narrow down your options and make the decision-making process easier. You can find off-the-rack wedding dresses at many different price points, from high-end department stores to more affordable options like outlet stores or even second-hand shops.

Once you have an idea of your budget, it's time to start shopping. Try to find a few options that you like and that fit within your budget. Keep in mind that you may need to make some alterations to the dress, so factor that into your timeline and budget as well.

If you're open to non-traditional options, you can also consider renting a wedding dress. This can be a more cost-effective option, and it takes the stress out of finding a place to store the dress after the wedding.

Finally, don't forget to have fun with the process! Planning a wedding in a short amount of time can be challenging, but it's also an exciting adventure.

Timing: consider a weekday wedding

If you're planning a wedding in a short space of time, you might want to consider getting married on a weekday. You'll have more availability and it will be cheaper.

When it comes to the venue, consider a restaurant. Most don't charge a fee, they just charge per person for food. You could also rent out a private room in a restaurant, which will take care of a lot of the legwork. If you're religious, you could see if the pastor of the church you regularly attend will come and do the ceremony for you.

If you're getting married in the summer, you could rent a pavilion in a park. Parks can be very private and you can decorate picnic tables with nice linens and rent chairs for a ceremony.

Whatever you choose, make sure you book your venue, wedding planner and photographer first.

Frequently asked questions