Are you getting married or planning to marry? Then you have probably thought about how this day should look. From the unique venue to the beautiful wedding rings. A day to never forget for you, your partner, friends & family. Most couples need to save up before they can afford their wedding. But how much does a wedding actually cost and how do you save a large amount of money in a short time? Read about it below.

Costs of the wedding

First of all, the costs of a wedding: don’t be shocked! On average, couples spend about € 18,000 on a complete wedding including honeymoon. This is based on the National Wedding Survey conducted by research agency Effectmeting in 2019 among 1,131 couples. However, there are some enormous outliers; you can organize a budget-friendly wedding from a thousand euros to spending tens of thousands of euros.

The venue is number one as the largest expense. Couples spend an average of € 7,522 on that. The average cost for a honeymoon is € 3,848. And in third place is the wedding dress. Brides typically spend around € 1,758 on that. In addition to these costs, the following factors are also important to the price: the municipality where you are getting married, the day of the wedding, the programme, and the number of guests. For example, getting married in the municipal wedding hall in Amsterdam costs seven times (€792.20 in 2021) as much as getting married in the municipality of Emmen. Also, getting married on a weekend is many times more expensive than getting married on a weekday, and every additional guest adds to the cost.

Saving for the wedding

It is super important to set a budget for your day. This budget will be your savings goal, and based on the budget, you can also make decisions about what to do or not to do for the wedding. Decide together on the costs you will incur for the wedding. When you add up all the costs, you will arrive at the amount you need to save together.

Then start saving on time and begin with a monthly amount. Use the budget for your wedding to calculate how much you need to set aside each month. It’s wise not to leave this money in your current account and accidentally spend it on other nice things, but to really set the money aside. Potje can help you save the amount together. Potje makes the goal very visible and ensures, through notifications and reminders, that you don’t forget to save.

Wedding savings tips

In conclusion, we have a few savings tips for you. Perhaps there’s something here for you:

– Ask a musical friend to create a fun Spotify playlist for the day. Perhaps you know a DJ or band member for the evening’s party.

– Buy a second-hand wedding dress or suit. Or go for festive attire from a different clothing store than a bridal boutique.

– Celebrate the wedding in your garden (or in that of your family, friends, or neighbors).

– Perhaps someone in your circle is handy with a camera. And that person might want to capture your wedding for a friendly price. Don’t skimp too much on this, as you want beautiful photos as memories.

– Be creative with catering. Maybe you have family members who can whip up a delicious cake. And a barbecue is much cheaper than a five-course dinner. Another option: ask your guests if they would like to bring something tasty.

– A friend who is good with hair or makeup? Perhaps they would like to do your bridal hairstyle and makeup.

– Send digital invitations instead of printed ones.