Renewing your vows is a romantic and time-honored tradition that can bring you and your loved one closer together. Many couples choose to solidify this special event with a ceremony and reception, but also find that throwing a big party or replicating the extravagance of your wedding simply isn’t in the cards.
While the word “budget” tends to churn stomachs in the wedding industry, a smaller reception can hold the impact of a big party while keeping things more intimate for the two of you. Here’s how to plan a day to remember without breaking the bank.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
The goal of renewing your vows is not to compete with your wedding day but to proclaim your undying love for one another, proving that you’re both still wholly committed after all these years. So, don’t shoot for the same invitations, flowers, and entrees you had for your reception.
Simple invitations will work just fine and offer you a wider range of customization when opting for a kit. You can still find hundreds of elegant looking options without paying the price for customized engravings. Keep food simple with either an easy-to-make pasta menu or a crowd favorite amongst you and your friends. Who doesn’t like a good pizza, right?
You could skip the big meal altogether and opt for something a little more unconventional. Try a bright and vibrant candy display using fun devices like the ones found on
https://www.sweetservices.com/Vending-Machine-Candy/. Alternatively, you could keep things cheap by utilizing an horderves table filled with cheeses, fruits, and breads.
Unexpected Savings
Did you know that vow renewals don’t require a legal officiant? All you need is a good friend willing to preside over the ceremony for you. To many couple’s surprise, there are a ton of unexpected savings they can take advantage of.
Instead of hiring a band or DJ, make a playlist containing all of your favorite songs to keep you and your friends dancing throughout the reception. Make the day more personal by ditching the professional photographer and asking your friends to take photos on their phones throughout the night. You’ll end up with a fun, exciting, and beautiful album.
Another unexpected saving comes in the form of dresses and suits. There are no specific colors or designs required for a vow renewal, allowing groomsmen to wear simple suits that they already own. Bridesmaids can color-coordinate dresses, or choose to match entirely with the excellent bridesmaid dresses and bridesmaid gowns on Azazie.
Bargain Shopping
Finally, you can save money by knowing where to find amazing pieces for your ceremony and reception. Choose to buy your flowers from a local nursery, but make sure to pick whatever is in season and under budget. Use the tops of simple roses for boutonnieres and give each bridesmaid only one flower to hold (signifying the unity of your marriage).
Skip the overpriced wedding cake and pick up a plain white one from your local supermarket. While you’re there, grab a few decorator tubes, icing, and cake toppers that go with your lover’s theme. Then, you can add your own special touch to the cake!
With all of these savings, you should be able to book your reception anywhere and have plenty left over in the budget for drinks. No matter what you end up deciding on, remember that the party and ceremony aren’t the most important parts of the day. All that matters is the love you two share for one another, and that your marriage is a happy and enduring one.
