Weddings can be incredibly expensive, with the average cost hitting $35,000 in 2023, up by $5,000 from the previous year. A significant way to save money is by reducing the guest count. The trend toward smaller, intimate weddings gained traction during the Covid-19 pandemic, and many couples have continued to embrace this format. Experts recommend creating a guest-list hierarchy to prioritize invitees, categorizing them into A, B, and C lists based on their importance to the couple. Setting clear plus-one rules can also help manage numbers, as can choosing a smaller venue that aligns with the desired guest count. Additionally, couples can consider skipping save-the-date invitations to avoid unnecessary additions to the guest list. Finally, hosting a separate, low-cost celebration can allow couples to include more friends and family without inflating the main wedding budget. By implementing these strategies, couples can enjoy their special day while keeping costs in check.
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