How to Plan a Wedding While in College: 5 Simple Steps

Getting married in college can relate to your relationship’s maturity and readiness for formality.

However, people tend to have strong views on getting married while in school. Many highlight the unnecessary rush into marriage, while others proclaim: If you know they are the one, why wait?

Overall, it’s not just about balancing marriage and college life; it also relates to financial implications and matching priorities. Knowing your partner well is essential. Yet, recognizing your identity, values, and beliefs tops that. So, let’s openly debate the idea of getting married in college, weigh the pros and cons, and analyze how to plan a wedding in college.

Young marriage in college: Is it wise?

No one can declare whether getting married in college will lead to a successful union. Multiple factors are at play here, and many personal accounts suggest that young marriage in college can be the right choice.

However, it’s also possible that many people in college might not be ready for commitment (even without realizing it). When carefully evaluating whether marriage at this age is suitable for you, consider the following:

Defining years and shaping your belief system

Many couples might feel strongly about their nuptials since they have dated since middle or high school. However, remember that college is typically associated with the years that define your personality and inner world. So, your or your partner’s attitudes may shift, or you realize your priorities no longer align.

Pressuring your significant other

Marriage can be blissful, but both partners must fully agree. One piece of college student marriage advice is to avoid pressuring or convincing a significant other into matrimony.

Some people might be more easily persuaded or committed to pleasing their partners at this age. So, focus on honest conversations and being open about your position.

Marriage takes work

Whether you get married in college or later in life, all unions are molded by compromises, sacrifices, and work. One of the challenges of being married in college is balancing your newfound freedom (being away from your parents), studies, and married life.

Some may not be ready to tackle all challenges simultaneously, but you shouldn’t view dating and marriage as opposites. You might live together, introducing house management, but the commitment remains unchanged.

Marriage in college: pros and cons

Generally, marriage benefits for students include the happiness of starting a life with your soulmate. Besides, during these uncertain times, you’ll support each other emotionally, share responsibilities, and get an early start on other plans (such as buying a house).

The downsides or challenges of being married in college include feeling overwhelmed by a total shift in your lifestyle. The financial strain can also happen if you no longer qualify for specific support programs (say, if your combined income exceeds requirements) or need to invest more in insurance and housing costs. Financial aid and marriage in college could involve negative and positive changes. For example, you might be eligible for additional support as a young family.

How to plan a wedding in college

In the future, marriage in college can be confusing and scary, from approaching vendors to figuring out how to create a celebration on a budget. Here’s a little to-do list to help you organize your thoughts:

Step 1: Create a budget

One of the biggest hurdles when getting married in college can be your financial limitations. With the focus on your studies, you might have to stick to a strict spending limit.

Consult your families for help, save money from part-time jobs, and, most importantly, avoid taking loans for your wedding.

Step 2: Get help with planning

Ask your family members or friends for help organizing everything. Of course, a lot will fall on your shoulders, but technology can also help.

For example, many free tools, such as WeddingWire, The Knot, or Zola, include features for tracking budgets, creating timelines, designing seating charts, and more. To find venues and vendors, choose Hitched, Breezit, or Carats + Cake.

Step 3: Set a date based on your academic calendar

Organizing everything is stressful enough: you don’t want to add exams and assignment deadlines. Thus, set a date for when you and your partner will pass the exam period.

Step 4: More intimate weddings work best

Getting married in college could mean that you can host a smaller, intimate wedding. Create a wedding guest list of only your closest friends and relatives, significantly reducing your expenses for food/drinks and venue.

Step 5: Pick a venue and other vendors

The key when picking vendors is finding the balance between quality and price. The same applies to wedding sites, meaning you should prioritize affordable venues like this one. If you cannot find a suitable option, consider hosting your wedding at your parents’ house or your partner’s. A spacious backyard could be a free venue to spruce up through DIY decorations.

Conclusion

All in all, getting married in college can be a dream come true, making your commitment more official. Additionally, you will likely experience many emotional benefits of marriage in college, such as supporting each other through thick and thin. However, waiting until college graduation or saving enough money for your perfect celebration could prevent mistakes or unfortunate realizations in the future.