By Maria Immaculate Owechi
If you have noticed, on many wedding budgets, decoration takes a hefty chunk. That’s because we all want our weddings to look grand and transport us to a new place. However, when one realises that the décor they want will cost up to Shs20 million, he or she will start analysing and wondering if it is worth it. This can lead to be couples feeling stuck because they want the beautiful setting but do not want to spend so much on it. So is it possible to have good décor but not spend buckets of money on it?
Pastor Patrick Nagaya, a preacher with University Community Fellowship in Makerere-Kikoni and the owner of Patrima Events, a decorations company says that it is possible to come up with beautiful décor for one’s wedding, using a budget of Shs1m or less. It just depends on how creative the decorator is.
Carol Beyanga, the Managing Editor – Digital Content, of Monitor Publications, reveals that 13 years ago, she managed to have her wedding well decorated on a budget of Shs800,000. Beyanga says that she did not hire a decorator because her friends offered to take over the responsibility of coming up with creative ideas to ensure the décor turns out fabulous.
“I settled for an African theme and we went out with my pastor’s wife to buy African décor materials that were sold on display at a craft market that used to sell their wares on particular days on the grounds near the railway station.” 
She explains that this is because it was cheaper buying from there than a set up African craft shop.
“We shopped for décor items like unique African baskets, stick men statues, big and small pots, jars, African table cloth, and vases with dry sticks which we used to decorate the reception, by ourselves,” narrates Beyanga.
She adds that it is the flowers that are the most expensive décor and so in her case, she only bought a bouquet and the flower girl was only given petals to throw on the ground as they walked down the aisle.
Beyanga’s story shows that one needs to think carefully about the theme they want to go for if they want to use less money than usual. Nagaya advises clients to consult with the decorator and ask what kind of décor items can be achieved within the budget set.
“This is because some clients come saying ‘I want a simple décor that fits the budget I have’ but when they start telling you what they want, in most cases the pricing increases and surpasses what they have,” he explains.
Since it is easy to end up spending more than what you budgeted for, here are a few ways you can ensure you stick to your set budget. Click to read more…
