Weddings already have notoriously large price tags. But as the world faces uncertainty during an ongoing global pandemic, many of us are becoming more frugal in response. Frugality doesn't rule out having an awesome wedding, but you do need a money-saving strategy. Some budgeting tips can help you get the most for your dollar on the big day.

Determining Realistic Numbers

When you have to save up thousands of dollars, the end goal may seem a bit distant. But before you panic, you can get a better idea of how much you'll need to save each month. Most couples tie the knot within a year of the proposal, so The Knot recommends dividing the total estimated cost by 12 to get a monthly figure. 

Still not sure how much your wedding will cost? Not every wedding is alike, but you can use the average cost in your state to get a ballpark figure. For instance, the typical Ohio couple paid $29,300 to tie the knot in 2020. Pew Research Center reveals that the inflation rate reached 6.2% in 2021, so 2020's average wedding cost increases to $31,117. Divide that by 12 and you get almost $2,600 per month. That's how much the two of you will have to save to afford your wedding, assuming your costs aren't that far off from the norm.  

Crafting Your Budget

If your state's average figures sound out of reach, you'll need to take a hard look at your wedding budget. And to do that, you must first figure out how much money you'll really have to spend. If you're like most couples, you'll probably be footing the entire bill on your own. Brides contributor Jessie Mooney DiGiovanna mentions that this is becoming more common. Some couples desire financial independence, but parents may also not be able to help out much with wedding expenses. 

After evaluating your financial situation, you may discover that you can't afford a $30,000 wedding. But all is not lost. Having a cost-conscious event budget doesn't mean your wedding has to look or feel cheap. However, you do need to determine your priorities and allocate money accordingly. Thankfully, G.E. Miller of 20somethingfinance.com offers some useful budgeting tips:

• Keep your guest count low. 
• Choose an off-peak date.
• Choose a venue that allows outside catering.
• Track everything you spend.

Thinking outside the box can help you keep expenses low. You don't have to go the traditional route when it comes to your attire, desserts, or anything else for that matter. There's no rule that says you must have a multitiered wedding cake — you can look at other equally delicious options such as ice cream cake or sheet cake. As for attire, you can wear whatever you like as long as it's comfortable, fits your wedding's overall mood, and makes you feel confident. 

These are just a few cost-cutting ideas, but plenty of other wedding budget resources exist. A Practical Wedding offers several sample budgets starting as low as $2,000. Nearly all include the basics for a memorable event: ceremony, food and drink, photos, and flowers. Your mileage may vary, but these budgets can offer inspiration for your own special day. 

Developing a Wedding Savings Plan

The mechanics of saving for your wedding are pretty straightforward. You both can reserve money from paychecks and other income, depositing these amounts into a joint account for wedding expenses. You could set up periodic automatic transfers from your accounts to the joint account. If you're both paid biweekly, you could schedule these transfers for every other week.

No one said that saving money or budgeting would be easy. Well, to be honest, it's not easy for a lot of people. But a fine-tuned budget and a strategic savings plan can help you fund a fabulous wedding you'll look fondly on for years to come.