{"id":4672,"date":"2022-04-01T03:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-01T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/how-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs\/"},"modified":"2022-04-01T03:00:00","modified_gmt":"2022-04-01T07:00:00","slug":"how-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/how-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs\/","title":{"rendered":"How couples can save money, cut party costs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"gnt_em gnt_em__fp gnt_em_vp__tp gnt_em__el\" aria-label=\"Video - Destination weddings can actually save you money\"\/>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Krista Gramstad of South Carolina,\u00a0an October bride,\u00a0said she sometimes wishes she and her fiance <a href=\"http:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/money\/2021\/06\/03\/small-wedding-ideas-cost-dress\/5255941001\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|inline click|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">had just eloped<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The 31-year-old has already spent an estimated $10,000 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/tech\/reviewedcom\/2021\/02\/15\/10-things-you-need-to-plan-micro-wedding\/6747984002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|inline click|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">on her wedding<\/a> and is trying to figure out ways to cut additional costs. But with high demand and inflation driving up prices, she said budgeting is tricky.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Gramstad has already trimmed down the guest list from 250 to 180 to reduce costs\u00a0and is trying to find an additional 30 names to cut.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">&#8220;I didn&#8217;t realize how much goes into actually planning a wedding obviously until I got engaged. It&#8217;s an endless list,&#8221;\u00a0she said. &#8220;The more we packed on the more I&#8217;m like, &#8216;Oh my God, where are we gonna get all this money from?&#8217; &#8220;<\/p>\n<aside aria-label=\"advertisement\" class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\"\/>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Wedding website Zola found <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zola.com\/expert-advice\/the-first-look-report-2022\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|inline click|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">two-thirds of more than 3,000 surveyed couples<\/a> are going over budget for their 2022 wedding. Industry experts shared seven tips with USA TODAY on how couples can cut costs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong class=\"gnt_ar_b_al\">AVERAGE WEDDING COST:<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/money\/2022\/03\/31\/wedding-cost-average-2022\/7154269001\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|spike click:7|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">From DoorDash to egg donations: Couples putting in extra work to pay off 2022 wedding costs<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong class=\"gnt_ar_b_al\">WEDDING TRENDS:<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/money\/2021\/06\/03\/small-wedding-ideas-cost-dress\/5255941001\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|spike click:8|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">Smaller weddings, bigger price tags: How COVID-19 started a new trend in weddings<\/a><\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img gnt_em_img__inset\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" style=\"height:650px\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/How-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs.jpg?w=1300&#038;ssl=1\"  decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Krista Gramstad, who plans to get married in October 2022, browses wedding dresses.\"\/><\/figure>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/how-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs\/#1_Cut_the_guest_list\" >1. Cut the guest list<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/how-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs\/#2_Get_a_credit_card_with_rewards\" >2. Get a credit card with rewards<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/how-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs\/#3_Delay_the_wedding\" >3. Delay the wedding\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/how-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs\/#4_Budget_for_the_unexpected\" >4. Budget for the unexpected<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/how-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs\/#5_Offer_to_pay_in_cash\" >5. Offer to pay in cash<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/how-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs\/#6_Evaluate_%E2%80%98wants_vs_%E2%80%98needs\" >6. Evaluate &#8216;wants&#8217; vs. &#8216;needs&#8217;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/how-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs\/#7_Avoid_going_into_debt\" >7. Avoid going into debt<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Cut_the_guest_list\"><\/span>1. Cut the guest list<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The most common piece of advice on how to save money on a wedding:\u00a0Trim the guest list.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">&#8220;Most couples want that grand experience where you have 150-plus guests, and I have a couple of brides who want like 300 guests to show up to the wedding,&#8221; said wedding planner Simone Sophie Walker. &#8220;(Sometimes) it&#8217;s not going to be in the budget.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img gnt_em_img__inset\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" style=\"height:336px\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/How-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs.jpeg?w=1300&#038;ssl=1\"  decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Wedding planner Simone Sophie Walker says trimming the guest list can have a big impact on costs.\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Wedding planner Alyssa Pettinato of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alinato.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|inline click|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">Alinato Events<\/a> said a higher percentage of guests this year are RSVPing &#8220;yes&#8221; to weddings.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">&#8220;People used to do this thing where they would over invite and then have a 20% drop off rate or something like that. And now it&#8217;s like, oh no, people are RSVPing. We might be\u00a0over our number,&#8221; she said.\u00a0&#8220;Outside of (moving your wedding to)\u00a0a Sunday or Friday, I always tell people that are trying to save money: Hey, the only way to cut money without compromising too much is to cut the guest list.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img gnt_em_img__inset\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" style=\"height:400px\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/1652445954_892_How-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs.jpg?w=1300&#038;ssl=1\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Alyssa Pettinato, owner of wedding planning company Alinato Events.\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong class=\"gnt_ar_b_al\">WEDDING PLANNING:<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/tech\/reviewedcom\/2021\/02\/15\/10-things-you-need-to-plan-micro-wedding\/6747984002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|spike click:17|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">10 things you need to plan the perfect micro-wedding<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Get_a_credit_card_with_rewards\"><\/span>2. Get a credit card with rewards<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Maria Roloff, a wealth management adviser with Myklebust, Horne and Fies Financial Group,\u00a0a Northwestern Mutual Private Client Group affiliate, said using a credit card for wedding purchases to earn rewards points for the honeymoon can be an &#8220;excellent idea.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">&#8220;If you&#8217;re going to be putting expenses on a credit card, I always say go for one that has rewards,&#8221;\u00a0Roloff told USA TODAY.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">She did caution couples to check the interest rate on the credit card before signing up to make sure they\u2019ll be able to pay the full balance off, or the card &#8220;could potentially become more costly than the points that you&#8217;re accumulating.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" style=\"height:440px\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/1652445954_149_How-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs.jpg?w=1300&#038;ssl=1\"  decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Wealth management adviser Maria Roloff said using a credit card for wedding purchases to earn rewards points can be an \u201cexcellent idea.\u201d\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong class=\"gnt_ar_b_al\">INVITED TO A WEDDING?:<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/money\/reviewed\/2021\/07\/28\/essentials-pack-when-attending-wedding-during-pandemic\/8091842002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|spike click:23|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">10 things you should bring as a guest<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Delay_the_wedding\"><\/span>3. Delay the wedding\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Shane McMurray, <a href=\"https:\/\/wedding.report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|inline click|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">CEO of The Wedding Report<\/a>, said couples can push\u00a0back their wedding date to see if inflation and demand die down.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">&#8220;The best thing to do is probably wait it out,&#8221;\u00a0he said. &#8220;I know that sounds crazy, but the supply chain issues and the demand on supplies and services (are) going to subside at some point. Things are going to get caught up. We&#8217;re going to get back to some sense of supply normalcy.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside aria-label=\"advertisement\" class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\"\/>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong class=\"gnt_ar_b_al\">WEDDINGS WITHOUT GENDER?:<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/life\/2021\/08\/07\/weddings-going-gender-neutral-how-couples-reimagining-traditions\/5478381001\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|spike click:28|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">More couples want to de-gender how they tie the knot<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Budget_for_the_unexpected\"><\/span>4. Budget for the unexpected<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Wealth management adviser Roloff suggests couples set aside 10% of their overall budget to cover unexpected costs and\u00a0last-minute expenses like vendor tips or transportation.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">&#8220;This isn&#8217;t something that will save you money right now, but it definitely can keep you from going into debt while you&#8217;re planning and provide some peace of mind,&#8221;\u00a0she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_cp\" aria-label=\"You may also be interested in\" data-c-cta=\"DIG DEEPER\">\n<div class=\"gnt_em_cp_cw\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"gnt_em_cp_cw_i\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/1652445954_785_How-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs.jpg?w=1300&#038;ssl=1\"  decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\"\/><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Offer_to_pay_in_cash\"><\/span>5. Offer to pay in cash<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Taking the time to find the right vendor \u2013 or negotiate with the one you&#8217;ve chosen \u2013 can be worth the extra effort.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Roloff suggests shopping around different wedding vendors to find the\u00a0best bang for your buck. Once you\u2019ve decided on your vendor, prices can be negotiated further.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">One simple way to reduce costs: Offer to pay in cash.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">&#8220;If vendors know they won&#8217;t have any credit card fees for the transaction, they oftentimes will provide a little discount,&#8221;\u00a0Roloff said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_anc\" id=\"gnt_atomsnc\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"loadAnc\" aria-label=\"Newsletter signup form\"\/>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong class=\"gnt_ar_b_al\">BEST MAN&#8217;S SPEECH:<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/life\/humankind\/2022\/03\/06\/best-man-autism-delivers-greatest-wedding-speech-all-time\/6246989001\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|spike click:39|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">You\u2019ll never see a best man\u2019s speech like this one<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Evaluate_%E2%80%98wants_vs_%E2%80%98needs\"><\/span>6. Evaluate &#8216;wants&#8217; vs. &#8216;needs&#8217;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Barbara Hearne, owner\u00a0of wedding coordinating company <a href=\"https:\/\/austinweddingcoordinators.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|inline click|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">Barbara\u2019s Brides<\/a> in Texas, recommends couples reevaluate their &#8220;wants&#8221;\u00a0versus &#8220;needs&#8221;\u00a0for the wedding to cut costs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">A few examples include\u00a0having guests use Uber or cabs instead of renting a\u00a0shuttle; opting for a DJ instead of a band; or using\u00a0a DIY &#8220;selfie booth&#8221;\u00a0instead of a\u00a0photo booth rental.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img gnt_em_img__inset\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" style=\"height:450px\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/1652445954_349_How-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs.jpg?w=1300&#038;ssl=1\"  decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Barbara Hearne, owner of Barbara's Brides in Austin, Texas.\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Jove Meyer, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.jovemeyerevents.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|inline click|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">owner of Jove Meyer Events<\/a>, also said couples looking to stick to their budget need to be more flexible this year because of supply chain issues. Being flexible with what sort of flowers you use, for instance, can help your florist avoid species that have seen prices skyrocket.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">&#8220;Find the places where you can cut and still feel good about the party that you&#8217;re having with the resources you have allocated,&#8221; Meyer said. &#8220;I don&#8217;t encourage anyone to go into debt to pay the extra fees that happened at a wedding. In my opinion, it&#8217;s just not worth it. I think it&#8217;s about being honest, having an honest conversation with your planner, with your vendors, and then trusting their recommendations because they know best.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" style=\"height:441px\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/1652445954_409_How-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs.jpg?w=1300&#038;ssl=1\"  decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Zola found two-thirds of more than 3,000 surveyed couples are going over budget for their 2022 wedding.\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Avoid_going_into_debt\"><\/span>7. Avoid going into debt<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">While lenders offer wedding loans, wealth management adviser Roloff said couples should consider other ways to raise money before borrowing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">&#8220;If you can&#8217;t dip into savings for this, you can consider taking out a wedding loan,&#8221;\u00a0she said. &#8220;However, I recommend looking into other options first. A lot of times these wedding loans have higher interest rates, and oftentimes you might find a family member or grandma or somebody that&#8217;s just so thrilled you&#8217;re getting married\u00a0that they&#8217;ll loan you some money at low interest or no interest.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside aria-label=\"advertisement\" class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\"\/>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Roloff added that taking out a loan and going into debt can make sense for &#8220;some people,&#8221;\u00a0such as couples with &#8220;a good income&#8221;\u00a0that expect to be able to pay off the debt relatively quickly after the wedding.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong class=\"gnt_ar_b_al\">&#8216;THE GODFATHER&#8217; AT 50:<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/videos\/entertainment\/movies\/2022\/03\/18\/godfather-50th-anniversary-home-movies-famed-godfather-wedding-scene\/7021099001\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|spike click:52|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">Home movies of the famous wedding scene<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">But for others, Roloff advised reassessing their budget.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">&#8220;There are so many things that you can do today to make a wedding special where everything doesn&#8217;t have to be super expensive,&#8221; she said. &#8220;Remember: It&#8217;s a moment in time. It&#8217;s one super, super special day. So it&#8217;s good to get it right and to spend the time planning, but it&#8217;s never good to have regrets if you have a lot of debt lingering afterward.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_gl gnt_em__el\" href=\"http:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/picture-gallery\/travel\/destinations\/2021\/05\/06\/hawaii-florida-california-destination-wedding-honeymoon-spots\/4934955001\/\" data-t-l=\":l|l|c|view gallery:inline promo\" aria-label=\"View Gallery - Hawaii, Florida, California: Try these spots for destination weddings\" data-g-r=\"nav_mo\" data-g-tn=\"pgcss\" data-g-mtn=\"pg4934955001\" data-g-moh=\"hpgm\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-expanded=\"false\" onmousedown=\"event.stopPropagation()\" onmouseup=\"event.stopPropagation()\" data-c-id=\"4934955001\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"gnt_em_gl_i\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/1652445954_101_How-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs.jpg?resize=660%2C372&#038;ssl=1\"  decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>You can follow USA TODAY reporter Bailey Schulz on Twitter\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/bailey_schulz?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor\" data-t-l=\":b|e|inline click|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@bailey_schulz<\/a>\u00a0and follow our free travel newsletter <a href=\"https:\/\/profile.usatoday.com\/newsletters\/manage\/\" data-t-l=\":b|e|inline click|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/money\/2022\/04\/01\/wedding-cost-save-money-2022\/7196341001\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Krista Gramstad of South Carolina,\u00a0an October bride,\u00a0said she sometimes wishes she and her fiance had just eloped. The 31-year-old has already spent an estimated $10,000 on her wedding and is trying to figure out ways to cut additional costs. But with high demand and inflation driving up prices, she said budgeting is tricky.\u00a0 Gramstad has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":191570323,"featured_media":4673,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1910],"tags":[2140,1937,2390,1940,2336,2156],"class_list":["post-4672","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-micro-wedding","tag-costs","tag-couples","tag-cut","tag-money","tag-party","tag-save"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/How-couples-can-save-money-cut-party-costs.jpg?fit=300%2C650&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pciheA-1dm","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6705,"url":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/does-a-micro-wedding-really-cut-costs-how-much-you-can-actually-save\/","url_meta":{"origin":4672,"position":0},"title":"Does a micro wedding really cut costs? How much you can actually save","author":"ESPACE STUDIO","date":"March 30, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The trend for meaningful, intimate celebrations \u2013 which so many embraced during the years of the coronavirus pandemic \u2013 is here to stay. Elopements and micro weddings used to be significantly less mainstream, but these words are now a part of every newly engaged couple's vocabulary, and a genuine, widely-accepted\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Micro Wedding&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Micro Wedding","link":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/category\/micro-wedding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Does a micro wedding really cut costs? 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3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9826,"url":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/how-aussie-bride-and-groom-created-their-dream-wedding-for-just-15000-no-regrets\/","url_meta":{"origin":4672,"position":1},"title":"How Aussie bride and groom created their dream wedding for just $15,000: \u2018No regrets\u2019","author":"ESPACE STUDIO","date":"March 2, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Like any newly-engaged couple, Amber and Jake Rainbow imagined their wedding to be extravagant.The couple, from Victoria, envisioned a big celebration at a fancy venue with \u201call the bells and whistles\u201d \u2014 but what they ended up with was a \u201ctotally different outcome\u201d.A positive pregnancy test sparked the idea to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Micro Wedding&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Micro Wedding","link":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/category\/micro-wedding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"How Aussie bride and groom created their dream wedding for just $15,000: \u2018No regrets\u2019","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/1709591596_How-Aussie-bride-and-groom-created-their-dream-wedding-for.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/1709591596_How-Aussie-bride-and-groom-created-their-dream-wedding-for.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/1709591596_How-Aussie-bride-and-groom-created-their-dream-wedding-for.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/1709591596_How-Aussie-bride-and-groom-created-their-dream-wedding-for.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/1709591596_How-Aussie-bride-and-groom-created-their-dream-wedding-for.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11521,"url":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/the-surprising-truth-behind-a-36000-aussie-wedding-question\/","url_meta":{"origin":4672,"position":2},"title":"The surprising truth behind a $36,000 Aussie wedding question","author":"ESPACE STUDIO","date":"April 2, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"A five-figure cost recently set alight debate among the Australian brides of 'WeddingTok' \u2014 the wedding-themed community on TikTok.In the video, the Two Broke Chicks podcast hosts Sally McMullen and Alexandra Hourigan were discussing whether couples who spent more on their wedding and engagement rings had shorter marriages.\"The average Australian\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Micro Wedding&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Micro Wedding","link":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/category\/micro-wedding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A bride wearing a white dress and a groom in a dark suit hold hands in dance formation, looking at each other lovingly, standing in beautiful garden.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/The-surprising-truth-behind-a-36000-Aussie-wedding-question.com2F692F332Fb8b127e84c6cb768dffeccb20aa52Fjoey.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/The-surprising-truth-behind-a-36000-Aussie-wedding-question.com2F692F332Fb8b127e84c6cb768dffeccb20aa52Fjoey.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/The-surprising-truth-behind-a-36000-Aussie-wedding-question.com2F692F332Fb8b127e84c6cb768dffeccb20aa52Fjoey.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/The-surprising-truth-behind-a-36000-Aussie-wedding-question.com2F692F332Fb8b127e84c6cb768dffeccb20aa52Fjoey.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/The-surprising-truth-behind-a-36000-Aussie-wedding-question.com2F692F332Fb8b127e84c6cb768dffeccb20aa52Fjoey.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10639,"url":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/the-average-wedding-costs-well-over-30000-some-couples-are-having-micro-weddings-instead\/","url_meta":{"origin":4672,"position":3},"title":"The average wedding costs well over $30,000. Some couples are having &#8216;micro weddings&#8217; instead","author":"ESPACE STUDIO","date":"July 6, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Vanessa Acosta marries Sam Roberts in their backyard in Pasadena, California, on May 25, 2024.Courtesy: Vanessa AcostaInstead of hosting around 150 guests and spending about $75,000, the couple decided to get married in their backyard with just 54 of their closest family and friends.More from Personal Finance: Couples leverage \u2018something\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Micro Wedding&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Micro Wedding","link":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/category\/micro-wedding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"menu icon","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/The-average-wedding-costs-well-over-30000-Some-couples-are.png?fit=720%2C472&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/The-average-wedding-costs-well-over-30000-Some-couples-are.png?fit=720%2C472&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/The-average-wedding-costs-well-over-30000-Some-couples-are.png?fit=720%2C472&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/The-average-wedding-costs-well-over-30000-Some-couples-are.png?fit=720%2C472&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4584,"url":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/inflation-sends-wedding-costs-soaring\/","url_meta":{"origin":4672,"position":4},"title":"Inflation sends wedding costs soaring","author":"ESPACE STUDIO","date":"April 25, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"DENVER (KDVR) \u2014 Inflation is hitting the wedding industry, forcing some couples to rethink their wedding budgets and visions for their big day. According to The Wedding Report, 2022 is set to be a record year for the number of couples tying the knot. Nearly 2.5 million weddings are expected\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Micro Wedding&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Micro Wedding","link":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/category\/micro-wedding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Inflation sends wedding costs soaring","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Inflation-sends-wedding-costs-soaring.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Inflation-sends-wedding-costs-soaring.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Inflation-sends-wedding-costs-soaring.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Inflation-sends-wedding-costs-soaring.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Inflation-sends-wedding-costs-soaring.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4931,"url":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/here-are-ways-minnesota-couples-can-save-on-weddings-in-the-craziest-yolo-year-ever\/","url_meta":{"origin":4672,"position":5},"title":"Here are ways Minnesota couples can save on weddings in the craziest YOLO year ever","author":"ESPACE STUDIO","date":"May 15, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"A fairy-tale wedding has never cost more. It's a year of catching up \u2014 on weddings, travel, other business and entertainment that people couldn't do when coronavirus was at its deadliest. And prices for every part of a wedding are soaring. \"It does not seem like there's an end in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Micro Wedding&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Micro Wedding","link":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/category\/micro-wedding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Here are ways Minnesota couples can save on weddings in the craziest YOLO year ever","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Here-are-ways-Minnesota-couples-can-save-on-weddings-in.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Here-are-ways-Minnesota-couples-can-save-on-weddings-in.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Here-are-ways-Minnesota-couples-can-save-on-weddings-in.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Here-are-ways-Minnesota-couples-can-save-on-weddings-in.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/espacestudio.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Here-are-ways-Minnesota-couples-can-save-on-weddings-in.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4672","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/191570323"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4672"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4672\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4673"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4672"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4672"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4672"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}