How to plan a wedding on budget Your beach wedding can be a memorable event without making it a grand spectacle. Small weddings are gaining in popularity, and there are several ways to have your Outer Banks wedding on a budget. Weddings on the Outer Banks can be truly wondrous events, but you don’t have to drive yourself into debt to have one. Here are three simple tips to consider when organizing your Outer Banks wedding on a budget.

Surely no month is more popular for weddings than June, and June is certainly a wonderful time to visit the Outer Banks. However, June is the height of tourist season, and “height of season” means “height of prices.” While June is, traditionally, a wonderful time of the year to get married, if you’re planning your beach wedding on a budget, you may want to consider moving your date to the off-season. Wedding venues on the Outer Banks, like the Sea Ranch Resort, lose none of their charm during the months of April, May, September, or October. And off-season rates for rentals, rooms, and refreshments can certainly save you a fair amount. Then, there is the added bonus that it is a lot cooler in the off-season out in the sand and sun, which is good for those wearing tuxes and gowns.

Another way to cut costs on your Outer Banks wedding is by limiting the amount of people you wish to attend. Of course, we all want as many people as possible to share in this happy event, but each additional spectator is an additional charge to you. By limiting the amount of attendees to those that are special, immediate family members or closest friends, you save a substantial amount on rental fees and catering. After all, it’s cheaper to serve shrimp toast and champagne to three dozen people than to three hundred.

Everybody wants the fairy tale wedding with candelabras and pillars with draped-fabric blowing in the wind while a grand piano is being played and doves take flight amongst a sea of flowers. But, let’s face it, all of those decorations cost quite a lot of money. And, not only that, but beach weddings are a different environment all together for decorations. Keep the decorations light. After all, your Outer Banks beach wedding isn’t about the scenery you supply, but the back drop of the Atlantic Ocean setting the scene for your union. It doesn’t need to be cluttered, but openly enjoyed. Go light on the accessories, maybe an arch or a couple of flower displays, and enjoy the decoration that nature has already provided.

With these tips in mind, you can get hitched without a hitch, and put the extra cash towards something more practical and worthwhile, like an extended honeymoon on the Outer Banks!