It’s one thing to hanker for the dream ‘for real’, but it’s another thing to be able to afford it. This is the dilemma that confronts so many people getting married in Gibraltar, and you might be dreading doing the ‘responsible budgeting’ thing, given that it’s just so… dull.
The good news, though, is that saving money on the planning of your wedding can be quite enjoyable, besides seeing a healthier bank balance when all is said and done.
So, how can you slash the costs of your wedding in the British Overseas Territory, without compromising the magic you’re hoping your special day to be all about? Below are five of our favourite tips.
Play on a ‘vintage’ theme with second-hand items
This will naturally be an easier tip to follow if you have already decided – regardless of any need to budget carefully – that you desire a ‘vintage’ or ‘shabby chic’ feel for your wedding.
Nonetheless, there are a lot of second-hand bargains out there on eBay and elsewhere when it comes to wedding décor and accessories. And you might not even mind some of them looking a little scuffed, if that’s the whole aesthetic you’re going for.
Get a friend or family member to help relieve the burden
Over the course of your wedding planning, it may cross your mind that a friend or relative of yours possesses a potentially relevant skill. And you might even go as far as asking them whether they could help out by providing a service to you, for less than professionals may charge.
Of course, you have to be careful with this one. Someone who does flower arranging or cake decorating for a living probably isn’t the kind of person you should be expecting to provide you with a service for free or at a discount, as they still deserve to be paid for their work.
Nonetheless, one advantage of turning to someone you personally know for a service relevant to wedding planning, is that you know them – and they will likely want to give their best for you.
Put together your own playlist, instead of hiring a DJ or band
Let’s face it; you only need to have an iTunes library or a Spotify account to be able to make a compelling wedding playlist of your own. And it could be a great opportunity to assemble a list of songs that particularly appeal to you and your beloved, with the freedom to be pretty much as obscure or as mainstream with your choices as you like.
As for if you don’t want to go quite that far with the money-saving, it’s worth considering that you can usually get a DJ at your wedding for a fraction of the cost a live band would set you back.
Go for local, seasonal wedding flowers
Flowers are a central feature at the typical wedding, and the great news is that there are a lot of enjoyable ways to save money on them. Local and seasonal flowers, for instance, will likely feel more meaningful to you, in addition to being cheaper to obtain.
Remember, too, that having a lower budget doesn’t automatically mean having to minimise your wedding’s visual impact. A smaller floral centrepiece can have plenty of its own drama, especially when paired with a mirrored base and flickering tealights.
Honeymoon in the same part of the world you tie the knot
Merely mentioning to your bank manager that you would like to have a destination wedding will surely have them groaning… or will it? As it happens, overseas nuptials don’t necessarily always have to be hideously expensive.
One common trick deployed by many cost-conscious couples, is honeymooning close to where they got married. And if you’re getting married in Gibraltar, you will have no shortage of great potential sun-drenched honeymoon destinations to pick from around the Iberian Peninsula.
Ask any member of our team here at Sweet Gibraltar Weddings, and they will tell you that planning a wedding in the British Overseas Territory can definitely be a lot of fun, even when there are tight financial constraints to work with. Reach out to us today, and we will be pleased to advise, guide and assist you with organising your special day in the unforgettable surroundings of Gibraltar.