We get so many emails asking for tips and ideas to save money when planning a wedding. With a little extra effort, planning a wedding on a budget does not have to be a source of stress on your wallet or your sanity.
We’re back with Part 6 of this post series to help give you options for a frugal fabulous wedding. Wedding On A Budget will be a 10 part series filled with lots of DIY tips and ideas that we hope will be helpful to any of you that are planning your own wedding or even helping a friend or family member to plan their big day…down to the very last detail!
If you missed a post in our Wedding On A Budget series, catch up HERE
Wedding On A Budget: 8 QUICK WAYS TO SAVE ON A WEDDING
Weddings are a momentous occasion. They mark the beginning of a couple’s new life together. At one time, it wasn’t out of the ordinary for a couple or the bride’s parents to spend almost their entire savings on the big day. Times have changed. The poor economy and the inability to land or keep a job have altered people’s perspective on this sort of unbridled spending. An increasing number of couples are starting to take a more frugal approach to wedding planning. For those looking to lower their costs and save money, we’ve compiled 8 quick ways to save on a wedding for you below.
#1. Resist the urge to hire a wedding planner: Some people wouldn’t dream of getting married without hiring a wedding planner. While this is in some respects understandable, it really isn’t necessary and it can get extremely expensive. First of all, wedding planners don’t work for free. Couples would have to pay him or her for their services. Secondly, putting someone else in charge can result in unplanned expenses as the planner may make recommendations that the couple had not have originally thought of or budgeted for.
#2. Choose Guests Carefully: While it would be great to invite every single acquaintance of both the bride and groom (and their families) doing so can be quite expensive. Paying for dinner, drinks and favors for hundreds of people very quickly adds up. To avoid this, the bride and groom need to go over their guest list with a fine toothed comb and only invite those individuals that mean the most to them and are truly a part of their lives. Another respectful twist would be to invite everyone to the wedding, but reserve the receiption for select invite only guests. This way, everyone participates in your special day, but the personal celebration is kept to closest friends and family.
#3. Buy Out of Season: Just as with all things, it is cheaper to purchase items in their “off” season. Hence, it is likely cheaper to purchase wedding favors and other wedding-related items in the fall and winter, after the summer wedding season has passed.
#4. Shop The Holidays: Decorations and party favor type items are hugely discounted on holidays. For instance, after Valentine’s Day, love-themed decor, candies and more are usually discounted up to 90% off. Sorting through post-holiday sales, it is possible to find beautiful items perfect for a wedding. Silver & Gold decor also pops up at most all holidays and can make for simple and beautiful additions at a fraction of the cost.
#5. Double Up on The Venue: Instead of having the ceremony at one place and the reception at another, a couple may want to hold them at the same venue. Vendors, who often charge by the hour, won’t have to travel from one location to the next, which will cut down on their fees. It might also be possible to get a special deal at the venue if both the ceremony and reception is held there.
#6. Use Bigger Tables: Bigger tables mean fewer table cloths, centerpieces and subsequent expenses.
#7. Buy In-Season Flowers: Buying flowers that are in-season is one way to keep costs low. Purchasing them out-of-season will significantly increase costs. (or just choose Flower Alternatives and save BIG, as we posted HERE)
#8. Do A Signature Cocktail Rather Than A Full Bar: Instead of giving guest access to a full bar, a cheaper option would be to have the bartender create a signature drink and only serve those. This will require less wine/liquor/alcohol and the selection used for the signature drink will be of the couple’s choosing.
As you can see, there are many ways quick ways to save on a wedding and still have a beautiful, memorable and yet affordable wedding. All it takes is a little (or a lot) of creativitity and planning ahead. Literally anyone can do it, not just wedding planners!
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