10 Budgeting Tips for Your Luxury Wedding 

Planning the wedding of your dreams is an exciting step in your love story! But it can also come with a hefty price tag. Oftentimes, couples feel as if they need to compromise their vision to accommodate their budget.

Luckily, we’re here to tell you that with the right planning strategy, you can have an elegant wedding without breaking your bank account. Here are a few budgeting tips to keep in mind while mapping out your special day:

1. Book Early

This is one of our top tips! By booking your venue early, you are allowing yourself more time to research, plan, and save. You may even get a better deal on vendors by reserving in advance. Creating a timeline gives you the chance to accumulate some savings, while also generating a framework for how you want to move forward in your planning process. 

2. Prioritize Your Must-Haves

Make a list of your top priorities for the wedding. Whether you are focusing on exquisite décor or a more expansive food menu, allocate larger portions of your budget to your ‘must-have list’. This process can be a huge help when deciding on essential deal-breakers during your planning and budgeting process! 

3. Choose Quality Over Quantity

This may seem counterintuitive, but when it comes to certain aspects of your wedding, such as floral arrangements, prioritizing quality over quantity can save you money. Invest in statement focal points that will make a lasting impression rather than spreading your budget thin across numerous smaller details.

4. Flex on the Date

Choosing to have your wedding during the off-season or on a weekday can often result in significant savings. At The Elm Estate, our pricing is based on the day and season. For example, your luxury wedding on Saturday or Sunday in June could range between $16,000 to $23,000. However, if you were to celebrate on a Thursday or Friday in April, prices could range between $12,500 to $13,500! By being open to multiple options, you have even more flexibility when it comes to budgeting the rest of your wedding.

5. Limit Your Guest List

One way to save money on your wedding is to trim down your guest list. While it can be difficult to narrow it down, a more manageable size may create a bit more room in your budget to spend in other places. 

As an alternative, a huge trend in 2024 is virtual weddings! By adding a virtual aspect to your event, not only do you save, but you can welcome even more loved ones to join in on the fun without geographic restriction! For more virtual inspiration, check out our blog on the Top 7 Biggest Wedding Trends For 2024.

6. Choose In-Season Flowers

One easy tip to remember when planning is to select flowers that are in season. By doing this, you can save on floral costs, as they are more abundant and less expensive than out-of-season blooms. A florist can help you create beautiful arrangements that reflect the season and your style! We recommend A Floral Affair in the Reno/Tahoe area. They specialize in using nature’s beauty in creative ways, and are affordable. Contact Kelly to get started on special blooms for your celebration!

7. Use Local and Seasonal Menu Ingredients

The same thought process for flowers can be used when creating your wedding menu. Work with your food vendors to incorporate local and seasonal ingredients into your menu. This way, you are using readily available choices rather than paying a higher price for harder-to-find options. Blend Catering is one of our preferred vendors, offering unforgettable meals centered around your must-haves. Whether it’s several courses or a beautiful buffet, get in touch with  Blend to craft your seasonal menu. 

8. Choose a Venue that Needs Less Decor

If you want an extravagant wedding but also want to keep the decor budget modest, choose a venue that already has beauty and charm. From the moment you step onto a property, it should have a sense of appeal, speaking to what your style is as a couple. Your location is the backdrop of your event, adding magic to the other details that are tailored to your vision! At The Elm Estate, we have the elements of charisma you are looking for. We have four different ceremony locations that cater to your unique celebration. The deck offers a great atmosphere for a beautiful ceremony as the sun sets, while the green provides sweeping views of the whole property. For a smaller wedding, the corner is a quaint setting perfect for couples looking for intimacy, while the east highlights the rustic white brick on our front house. No matter what you envision, our venue has a rich history, with a timeless look suitable for any wedding. Book your tour today!

9. Track Your Spending

Make sure to keep track of your wedding expenses to ensure you stay within your budget. There are several free budgeting tools on websites such as Zola and The Knot which make budgeting easy during your planning process. Using tools like these ensures that you don’t have to make last-minute cuts.

10. Define Your Luxury

When planning, it is most important to understand what luxury means to you. Don’t be afraid to branch out and choose non-traditional features. Just because something is trendy, doesn’t mean it represents your vision. By defining what a dream wedding looks like to you, you can create a budget that centers on what is most important.

Start Planning Your Big Day

With a little bit of planning, you can easily achieve a luxury wedding that represents you and your wedding vision while sticking to your budget. With a little creativity, you and your significant other can create a magical and memorable day that reflects grandeur without compromising on quality or style.

At The Elm Estate, we pride ourselves on having the best quality vendors, service, and experience. Whether you’re aiming for rustic, modern, or elegant, our staff is dedicated to celebrating your love to the highest standard possible. By doing so, not only are you making a more luxurious experience for your guests, but you are also investing in your vision. 

Each of the celebrations we host is handcrafted to reflect our couple’s unique personalities. From tablescapes to florals, we want to make your planning as seamless, personalized, and organized as possible so you don’t have to worry about anything except rejoicing in your love. If you are ready to get started on creating your dream wedding, contact us!