17 Ways to Save Money On Your Wedding
Off Peak Wedding Date
Choosing an off-peak wedding date is the best-known money saving trick in the book but shouldn’t go unmentioned as it can effectively cut your wedding venue expenditure. Have your wedding in the months of November, December, January, or February and on a weekday to avoid elevated Saturday prices. Have a shorter wedding reception in the evening.
D.I.Y. Wedding Strategy
For invites, use free fonts found online, in one color, design them yourself and use a budget friendly printer such as Kinkos, or Office Depot to really decrease costs. Phone or email guests rather than sending out save the date cards or replies. You could also set up a wedding website with details about dress codes or the gift list, rather than posting it out.
Same Venue for Ceremony and Reception
For civil ceremonies, have your wedding and reception at the same venue to eliminate transport costs. For church weddings choose a reception venue nearby. Consider the need for wedding transport. No rule book says you can’t walk to the church. If you’re still shopping for a venue check out Eventective
Opt for Less Traditional Wedding Food
A wedding buffet is a much cheaper alternative to a five-course meal. It also provides variety for fussy eaters and ensures that no one goes hungry. Be sure to choose a caterer who can supply the added extras such as cutlery and plates. Be wary of hidden costs such as wine corking and cake cutting services. For the ultimate in savings, avoid food that has to be heated or chilled onsite.
Borrow Wedding Shoes and Jewelry
Wear items you already have or buy things that you’re likely to wear again to increase value for money. Integrate jewelry and accessories into your old, new, borrowed and blue tradition. Rummage through old family wedding albums and see if relatives still own certain veils, jewels and headpieces that stand out.
Size of Flowers
Carry large wedding flowers to lower the number of stems in your bridal bouquet. One single flower gives an elegant, minimalist finish. Advise the florist on a color scheme rather than specific flowers, make sure everything is in season and transport the arrangements from wedding ceremony to reception.
Prioritize Your Budget
Spend on the most memorable parts of the day and scrimp on finer details. Food and Entertainment will linger in guests’ memories whilst chair covers and decorative centerpieces risk going unnoticed. Develop DIY skills in the run up to your wedding, create things like sweetie favors for yourself to eliminate certain decor charges altogether.
Keep an Eye Out for Discounts
Sign up to the mailing list of every wedding dress designer, hotel, florist and bakery you can think of. Keep an eye on your inbox and spam folder to scout for any discounts or packages they may be offering.
Hair and makeup
If you’re doing your own bridal makeup, visit beauty counters to trial products and ask for free sample sizes to use on the day. If you want to hire a professional, opt for someone with talents in both hair and make-up.
Wedding Decor
Explore the sales after Christmas and Valentines Day to get your hands on fairy lights and romantic decorations at cut prices. Substitute centerpieces for favors and offer one per couple when possible. Seat wedding guests at bigger tables to tighten the room decor budget.
Get Creative with Your Wedding Cake
An elaborately decorated tiered cake can account for a large section of your budget. Instead, think about having one decorative tier to cut into with complementing cupcakes to satisfy guests. Swap desert for wedding cake to eliminate an unnecessary course.
Guest List
Be absolutely ruthless with your wedding guest list. Including twice removed cousins you’ve never met may quash your fears of offending the family but will quickly increase your spending. Try to curb your guests to a round number that’s easy to manage with regards to table plans and transport. Simply decreasing from 150 to 100 can have a dramatic impact on your catering or bar bill.
Bridesmaids Dresses
Buy your bridesmaid dresses after formal balls or prom season to scoop this season’s trends at last season’s prices. Explore high end stores, which have formal wear lines. Often they will have less expensive dresses with the same style as key designer cuts. Flower girl dresses should be purchased from department stores in the Christmas sales.
Serve Signature Cocktail
Alcohol bills can burn a hole in your pocket as you try to provide a variety of beverages to suit everyone. A signature cocktail will add a personal spin whilst also allowing you to buy the same items in bulk without deviating from the ingredients list. If serving beer, having just one type of domestic on tap will save money as well. A cash bar is also another option to cut costs.
Save the Pennies
Keep a money jar to support a certain part of your wedding budget. Some couples keep a swear jar topped up to pay for their cake. Others add some pennies when they hear a Rihanna song on the radio. Some throw loose change into a piggy bank every now and then. After a few months, a little goes a long way.
Get Married Sooner
Less time to plan means less time spending on things you wouldn’t have otherwise thought of. With a specific time limit, you’re more likely to concentrate on the end goal, rather than constantly changing your mind and subsequently going off budget.
Wedding Entertainment
Instead of hiring a band, a professional wedding DJ can really make your reception memorable and fun. Ask about what other services they offer such as lighting, photo booths, ceremony audio service, and fun entertaining activities. Today’s wedding DJ tends to offer several of these services and can save you a considerable amount of money when you book these services together.
YES I STILL NEED SERVICES FOR MY WEDDING
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