How to Plan a Wedding on a Budget in New Zealand

Updated 29 September 2021

Congratulations! You’re engaged! It’s such an exciting time in your life until you start looking at the prices of all of the special touches that create the dream wedding you’ve envisioned. It's a fact however that the average wedding in New Zealand costs $30,000 (and that’s just the average).

Is it essential to spend that much? Fortunately, there are many ways to slash the costs, especially on the things your guests won’t notice (which is the most important). Wedding planning is best when you splurge on the things that mean the most to you, and cut costs in other areas. Negotiating the prices on every item and service will avoid the ‘buyer’s remorse’ you may otherwise feel after the wedding when the debts start rolling in.

Important - wedding debt can quickly get out of control. Why put stress on your relationship by over-spending on a wedding, when money and debt issues are major reasons for divorce filings. Instead, let’s start your marriage off on the right foot by showing you ways you can have the wedding of your dreams, entertain your guests, and still keep your bank account intact.

In this guide we cover:

• 20 Easy Ways to Save on Your Wedding
• Arranging the Best Deals for Your Wedding

It can seem hard to put a limit on the money you spend on one of the most important days of your life, but it’s important. Planning a wedding can quickly get out of hand financially if you aren’t careful. So how do you create a budget without feeling like you have to sacrifice? Set up some ground rules, such as:

1. Pick the categories that are most important to you. Together, you and your fiancé decide what’s most important. Is it the venue, wedding attire, photographer, flowers or music? Of course, it could be anything else too. Just together choose the three most important categories. This is where you need to focus your budget and then be okay with cutting corners in most other areas.
2. Decide early on who will influence your decisions and stick to it. If it’s just you and your fiancé, then don’t stray from that. If you want your parents’ input or the help of a close friend, then decide that upfront. The fewer ideas and influences you have, the less likely you’ll be to overspend.
3. If your wedding album is important to you, book the photographer first. Remember, wedding photos are something you’ll look at and enjoy for the rest of your life. Many couples decide this is an area they don’t want to sacrifice.
4. Choose your essential vendors early. You’ll have the most relaxed time negotiating rates, and you’ll have a more extensive selection to choose from, giving you options rather than forcing you into a decision. 

 
Once you set your priorities and you have a budget in mind, it’s time to figure out where you can start saving. Our list of twenty tips below does just that.

Once you’ve narrowed down your categories, it’s time to get the best deals. You know where you’re willing to spend money and where you want to eliminate costs or reduce what you need spend. Now it’s time to get out there and find who will give you the best bang for your buck.

Most importantly - start early. If you want vendors to negotiate with you, don’t wait until the last minute when you’re stuck with whatever vendors are left. Instead, shop around with as many vendors as possible and ask the right questions. Get quotes, compare your options, and don’t be afraid to negotiate. The earlier you shop, the more choices the vendors know that you have, which makes them more likely to negotiate with you. It's in their interest to take bookings month in advance as they secure their work for the months ahead.

As you shop around, don’t be afraid to:

1. Let vendors know your budget. You will be surprised to learn how many vendors will willingly work within your budget. They may cut some of their services or tailor their package, but they would rather get some business than no business at all.
2. Ask vendors for what you need. What’s the worst a vendor can say to you? The worst answer is 'no', and if that's the case you can just move onto another vendor. Arranging a wedding must be done with confidence - if there’s something you want and at a specific price – ask for it.
3. Don’t just ask for a discount when you can negotiate to include other services. Don’t forget the vendors have to make money too, and weddings offer very seasonal income. Even though asking for a discount is helpful, you can also ask for more services to be added into your package. Vendors are often willing to offer more services rather than cutting down their own profits.
4. Read the contracts you sign. You are going to have more contracts than you know what to do with when planning a wedding, but read every one of them. You need to know the nuances of the contract. What costs extra or what fees are you paying that you don’t realize? If there’s something you don’t agree with or understand, make sure to ask. If you have any concern at all, ask questions before you sign the contract.

Most importantly, wedding planning on a budget is enjoyable and rewarding
Having a wedding on a budget isn’t as hard as it seems; it’s the smartest way to start your life as a newly married couple. Once you’re married, chances are you’ll want to buy a house, save to have kids, and save for your future. Why start your life off in debt when you can find simple ways to save on your wedding yet still have the day of your dreams? 

Best wishes for your big day, from the team at MoneyHub.