The complete guide to a dreamy celebrity wedding on a reasonable budget!

The complete access to extravagant celebrity weddings and insider sneak peeks into their opulent lifestyles has created wedding wish lists that never end. If the enchanting venues, lush decor, exotic cuisines and mesmerizing performances have you lusting after a larger than life wedding, we have a solution for you. Here are some interesting and informative ways to transform your wedding into a splendid affair without breaking the bank.

• Shrink the guest list

If your wedding dreams are a little too lofty for your budget, you can still manage a luxurious affair by simply cutting the guest list. Indian weddings are known to have bloated guest lists that are widely considered unnecessary. Invite only your closest friends and family for the important events and you can include the obligatory guests at a reception dinner for those who aren’t invited for the ceremonies.

Keeping the guest list just right.

• Alcohol snips

A large part of wedding expenses can constitute the unchecked alcohol expenditure by bartenders. Have a close family member watch over the bottle usage and quantities being poured. You can also opt for venues that allow you to bring your own booze and cut down on the corkage costs.

Keep a close check at the bar.

• Off season deals

You can pick a date during off season to grab deals on almost every service. Venues, caterers, musicians and decorators are all happy to often offer heavy discounts during their off season months.

Pick a date during offseason to grab deals.

• Venue wise

A lot of the wedding expenses rotate around rent and decor for venues. Thoroughly explore your options while comparing these costs. While lawn banquets seem lucrative, the decor expense for these open grounds often tally up to hotel rates, so pick smartly. You can also explore options of using a friend or family’s lawn or private farm house to reduce costs. Another interesting option is to host the wedding in suburban or countryside venues to add a rustic yet elegant charm to the wedding.

Explore options of using a friend or family’s lawn or private farm house.

• Royal hues

Opt for shades like royal blue, plum, gold, crimson and ivory. The deep and rich colours lend a plush look to the décor and you can get away without adding any other intricacies to the overall styling of the venue.

The deep and rich colours lend a plush look to the décor.

• Sparkle and shine

Highlight the venue using different lighting options. Fairy lights, lanterns, bulb strings, tea lights and candles are affordable yet beautiful. Use a mix of these lights to add some sparkle to the decor.

Highlight the venue using different lighting options.

• Floral fancies

Flowers can beautify any area so invest in some elegant floral decorations. You can opt for Indian flowers or local floral produce to cut costs. Mogra, marigold, lotus, jasmine and roses are some great options for your big day.

Opt for local floral produce to cut costs.

• Catering conundrum

There are a lot of clever ways to save money on wedding catering. You can opt for a small menu or selected items that would be loved by guests rather than an expansive menu that is unnecessarily large. Pick novelty items such as chaat stalls, pasta counters or candy bars to keep your guests entertained and full. You can also opt for a larger appetizer or starter menu and save on main course.

Selected items that would be loved by guests than a bloated menu.

• Musical mania

You can truly cut costs on the music by fixing your own playlist or asking a friend to manage your music console. Do away with a DJ or band and sync together performances of close family and friends to add entertainment to your event. You can also hire local folk artists or bands which add a traditional charm without being heavy on the pocket.

Fix your own playlist or asking a friend to manage your music console.