Planning a wedding is often associated with high costs and financial stress. However, it is entirely possible to have a beautiful and memorable wedding without spending a fortune. When my partner and I got engaged, we were determined to celebrate our love without falling into debt. With a budget of just RM6,000, we embarked on a journey to plan a wedding that was intimate, meaningful, and cost-effective. Here’s how we did it.
Creating an Intimate Guest List
One of the first steps in our planning process was to curate a guest list of our closest family members and friends. We decided to keep the guest list small, inviting only 200 people. This decision allowed us to allocate our budget more efficiently and create a cozy atmosphere where everyone felt connected. "We reminded ourselves that the wedding was about the relationships we had with the guests and not about the number of attendees," I shared.
DIY Food Preparation
Food is a significant part of any wedding, and we allocated the largest portion of our budget, RM4,000, to it. Instead of hiring a caterer, we decided to prepare all the food ourselves. This was made possible by the gotong-royong tradition in my kampung in Terengganu, where the community comes together to help. "My parents and I made multiple trips to the local market and managed to get all the ingredients needed within the budget," I explained. With the help of our neighbors, we prepared and cooked all the food, making the whole process a memorable community event.
Practical Hantaran Gifts
For the hantaran, where the bride and groom exchange gifts, we focused on practicality. I spent RM500 on useful items for my husband, such as a baju Melayu set, a watch, and a pair of shoes. This approach ensured that the gifts were not only meaningful but also practical and within our budget.
Using a Family Home as the Venue
To save on venue costs, we used my parents’ house for the wedding. The gazebo in their garden served as the pelamin, the stage where the bride and groom sit to welcome guests. This decision added a personal touch to the ceremony and saved us a significant amount of money. We spent only RM250 on decorations for the pelamin and photobooth.
DIY Wedding Invitations
We designed our own wedding invitations and printed 50 copies for our closest family and friends, costing just RM50. For the rest of the guests, we sent digital invitations, which were not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly.
Affordable Wedding Attire
For my wedding outfit, I asked my cousin to sew a simple baju kurung, which cost RM250. I also rented a veil for RM50 and my mother bought a mini crown from Eco Shop for a few Ringgit. This approach allowed me to have a beautiful wedding ensemble without spending a lot of money.
Family and Friends as Makeup Artists and Photographers
My older sister did my makeup, saving us the cost of hiring a makeup artist. We had fun trying out different looks and styles in the lead-up to the wedding. For photography, we borrowed a good quality camera from a friend, and my younger sister took on the role of photographer for the day.
By focusing on what was truly important to us and getting creative with our planning, we were able to have a beautiful and memorable wedding without breaking the bank. Planning a wedding on a budget is not only possible but can also be incredibly rewarding.
