Decor, budget and more: Some useful budgeting tips that could help you cut costs on decor
Wedding decor is beautiful, essential and attractive, yet frightfully expensive. From the cost of fresh flowers to the expense of decorative entrances, extravagant wedding decor can really burn a hole in your pocket. With that being said, the decor of the venue can really make or break the function; after all, the decor sets the vibe, the mood and the tone for the function. So, we spoke to some esteemed wedding planners and wedding decoration companies, and here are some useful budgeting tips that could help you cut costs on decor.
Fake flowers are always a good idea
If you want to have a mandap full of flowers or a flower wall as the backdrop, you may want to consider using fake flowers instead of fresh flowers. For one, fake flowers last longer so they can be used in different ways for different events. Also, have you ever gone out to the market to purchase sunflowers, tulips, lilies or orchids in this day and age? The cost of a large bouquet alone will leave you shocked, so imagine the cost of using these flowers as a backdrop! Many wedding planners suggest using fake flowers at your functions; not only do they look absolutely real, but they’re definitely more pocket-friendly too.
Consider using the same venue twice
It is always pocket-friendly and penny-wise to use one venue for multiple events. For instance, if you decide to have the mehendi in a farmhouse, you’ll decorate the place with shades of yellow, white and orange. Then, if you use the same venue for the sangeet that very night, you can add shades of red, pink and purple to the existing decor to create something absolutely new and unique. Using the same venue twice will also reduce the overall labour cost and transport costs, and it will certainly make life easier for your guests. By reusing a venue, you can always maintain the same structural design while totally changing up the colour theme and decor palette, which will help you save a lot of money at the end of the day.
Why not reuse your centrepieces
Centrepieces can account for a big part of your decor, especially if you’re placing centrepieces at every table. You can always ask your wedding decorators to reuse the same centre pieces for different events. For example, if the colour scheme of the first event is white and pink, then your centrepieces will match the theme. For the next event, you can add flowers in shades of red, purple and yellow to create something totally new. For the next event, ask your decorator to remove any flowers that may be starting to wilt and replace those with something new and fresh, and just like that, you’ve got a whole new centrepiece again!
Choose less structural designs
One way to really reduce the overall decor budget is by choosing designs that do not require too much structural work. For instance, high beams with hanging flowers or shiny disco balls require a lot of construction work, whereas hanging floral garlands from tree branches and placing disco balls on the floor near the photo booth require less structural work. Imagine a mehendi backdrop with beautiful marigold garlands, traditional Jaipuri-theme inspired umbrellas and gorgeous hanging mirrors - such spaced-out decor looks absolutely stunning and may not be as expensive as you think.
Don’t get fixated; be adjusting
Sunflowers may be your absolute favourite flowers, but don’t get fixated on having fresh sunflowers in the middle of winter! Similarly, you should never get fixated on any particular design or set-up; always leave room for flexibility. This will allow your wedding planner to work within your budget and create something that is beautiful, budget-friendly and in sync with your vision. After all, the best designs always involve a little bit of creativity and adjustment!
Use the venue to your advantage
If the venue you have chosen has a lot of nature and greenery, then use that to your advantage. Place fairy lights in the trees, hang floral arrangements from the branches and use the greenery as a backdrop for the function. If you are getting married at a heritage property, then use the intricate carvings and the majestic walls as backdrops, photo shoot locations and build your designs keeping the property in focus. Similarly, if you’re getting married on the beach or by the water, let the backdrop do the talking! Using the venue to its fullest will help cut down on your decor costs.
Focus on what guests focus on
One pro tip that we heard from many event planners was that couples need to spend their money on the things guests focus on. So for instance, guests may notice the entrance when they walk in or the mandap on the wedding day; they’ll notice centrepieces when they sit down to eat and they’ll surely check out the floral arrangements around the place. Meanwhile, guests may not necessarily notice multiple photo booths or the decor at the bar. Try to spend your money on the areas that your guests will focus on, while ensuring that there is an overall ‘wow factor’ as soon as your guests walk in.
