Weddings are the chance that we can go all out. We hire the best of the best, so much so that the average cost of a wedding is just over $15,000. This number is huge for most people, which is why when it comes to a second wedding – whether it’s to renew your vows or to a new spouse – far too often the second wedding is not given the same attention to detail or extravagance as your first.
You are getting a second chance of love, and this is cause for an even bigger celebration than your first marriage. The only thing holding you back is, more often than not, the cost. Here is a guide to help your budget and plan your second wedding for optimal success.
Choose a Venue that Does It All
It should come as no surprise that the largest chunk of any wedding budget is the venue, which is why it is best to choose a wedding venue that can do it all, from providing the seating to the catering. By doing so, this will allow you to benefit from a combined package, rather than needing to hire multiple people for the same end. Go online and see the wedding venues in NJ that offer the complete package, and pick your favorite to save money and a headache.
Invite Only Close Friends and Family
Unless you have a lot of really close personal friends and family, it is best to scale back your guest list. Holding a small, intimate wedding can give you all you need to make this experience feel different than your last one. Not only that, but it will help you stay within your budget much more easily, while at the same time enjoying the company of every single guest who is there to share this big day with you.
Find Unique Ways to Make It Persona
The more personal your wedding is, the better it will be. You could go and buy a bulk selection of disposable film cameras for your guests to use at the wedding, for example, or create a shared online album so that everyone can post their photos into one place (create a hashtag on Instagram!). Instead of wedding presents, ask for wedding favors. You can ask someone to create a wedding video and put it together for you instead of giving a gift. The same applies to photography or if you have a friend who is great at baking.
Other ways you can make this wedding more personal than the last is by creating a wedding time capsule. Have your friends write their well-wishes into a book and keep it for a wedding anniversary. This will give you the best gift, and it’s a fun activity to do on the big day.
What to Re-Use
Sometimes you can feel pressure to make your second wedding completely different than the first when you shouldn’t. For example, a great way to save a lot of money and actually get more out of your initial investment is to re-wear your wedding dress. Do it up differently with a different veil or accessories, but so long as it fits, there is no reason why you can’t use it again. You fell in love with the dress for a reason which is why there is no bad luck, only immense savings to be had in re-wearing your wedding gown,
Some items can be reused that weren’t even yours. For example, if there is another wedding nearby the day before you can negotiate with the bride so that you can extend the life of her floral arrangements. This way you can get beautiful, wedding-worthy flowers for either free or a fraction of the cost and help reduce waste at the same time.
Plan in Advance and Save
Another way to stay within your budget is to plan it all in advance, even if you don’t necessarily book anything right away. This way you can work out what you would have to save beforehand, and you also can find new alternatives so that you can continue to save money by hosting your big day. Don’t rush your second wedding. Give it time, prepare, and save for it. This way you can enjoy every aspect of your big day, without stressing out.
Second weddings are your second chance at true love. Just because you’ve had a wedding before does not mean that this one doesn’t deserve to be as extravagant or as perfect as the last. You can have your dream wedding again, and this time you can do it on a budget that suits you.
