It’s no secret that wedding planning is a multibillion-dollar industry. Although there are countless necessities and little details you could spend your life savings on, not everyone has an overly large wedding budget, and you’ll probably want some money left over for the honeymoon, too.

While a beautiful wedding should have meaningful details and world-class elements, it doesn’t have to break the bank to be everything you’ve dreamed of. In fact, there are certain ways you can obtain what you need at a much smaller cost. Megan Roberts, a professional event planner at Thanksgiving Point, tells us how through five strategies:

1. Book a venue that offers in-house services

Busy wedding planning brides might want to book each vendor according to their tastes, but this doesn’t mean you should underestimate one-stop shops. According to Roberts, “It’s usually a better deal in the long run to get a venue with in-house services.” Although some might be tempted to spend hours and weeks on the web researching countless individual vendors, the advantage of less stress is priceless, according to Roberts: “You can have your venue take care of all of the extra stuff, taking it off of your plate.” This means catering, decorations, flowers, and even the DJ and sound system set-up can all be checked off the to-do list by booking one capable venue.

2. If possible, hold your wedding on a weekday

Weekday weddings generally run cheaper than your average weekend event, simply because the demand is lower. That being said, some family and friends simply can’t make it to your special day if they have work or school. If it works for your wedding party, seriously consider booking the reception early in the week, such as between Monday and Wednesday. In addition, luncheon menus tend to be less expensive than full dinner prices, and that is another way to cut costs.

3. Decide what’s essential to your wedding day

Make a list of things you must have for your wedding, and then some things that would be nice if you have room in your budget. For most brides, the essential thing is a wedding that represents them. For Roberts, she ties this unique aspect to the wedding space. “A space that fits the party size and has the feel you’re going for will be the perfect setting to make memories in on your wedding day.” After that, you can add in specific details to express your style and personality. Whether you care more about the cuisine or the music, start with a workable space and then purchase your top priorities from there.

4. Plan ahead to know what you want

Utah brides often buck trends by planning their weddings in as little as a few months, while the national average engagement length (or planning period) is 14.5 months. Still, as long as you know what you want, there’s no reason you can’t succeed. For bookings from a month to a year in advance, you’ll find that things go much smoother once you get some of the more major details nailed down. Of course, last-minute bookings may subject your budget to rush fees.

It’s also a good idea to plan for the weather of the season. Utah has unpredictable weather for many months of the year, and that is why Thanksgiving Point always offers an inclement weather back-up space included in outdoor venue bookings.

5. Show your wedding style/personality through the little details

Although some full-service wedding venues only offer cookie-cutter wedding packages, Thanksgiving Point is different. Indoor rooms have different designs to fit your wedding’s personality, such as intimate and cozy, or open and light. Roberts admits they have “wedding-ready packages, but all have quite a bit of wiggle room to make each wedding personalized.” From décor and ambiance to each respective menu item, you’ll find your opinions and preferences are king when you plan a wedding with Thanksgiving Point — even when you’re on a tight budget. If you’re engaged or planning to get married any time soon, keep Thanksgiving Point at the top of your list for an affordable and full-service wedding venue.

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