How to Save Money on a Wedding: Practical Tips for Every Couple

After the excitement of the marriage proposal settles, the reality of wedding planning kicks in. Then the main question kicks in: how to save money on a wedding? Today, the prices have increased due to inflation, which makes it more difficult for couples to find ways to cut wedding costs.

As a result, it’s essential to find smart ways to save money so you can have an excellent wedding without breaking your bank in the process. In this blog post, you will find actionable ways to save money on your wedding expenses and plan your wedding budget accordingly.

How to Set a Realistic Wedding Budget?

Setting a wedding budget is critical to manage your expenses. If you can’t afford unlimited wedding expenses, you should have a strict budget in place to make the best out of what you have.

Why Is a Budget Key?

A budget will allow you to prevent overspending and potential honeymoon financial problem discussions with your new spouse. Once both of you decide what amount is reasonable to be spent on the wedding, you will eliminate any future friction about the wedding money since it’s what you both decided. Not only will it save you money, it may also save your marriage.

Practical Steps to Set a Budget

1. Discuss financial contributions. If necessary, discuss with your families if they would like to contribute. If extremely necessary, and there is absolutely no other way, consider checking for low-interest loans or rewards credit cards.
2. Decide on priorities. Make a priority list of what are the most important parts of the wedding. If photography and entertainment is what gets you going, then allocate more money to these parts and less to other, less important, parts.
3. Check guest count. People cost a lot of money. Make sure you know at least the preliminary numbers of your guests. This affects venue choices, food catering, and more.
4. Compare different options. Don’t dive head-first into the first venue you check. Compare prices, services, and the overall feeling of different venues.
5. Break down the budget into categories. Here is an example of how you can break down your budget:
   1. Venue – 40%
   2. Food and drinks – 20%
   3. Photography and videography – 10%
   4. Attire – 5%
   5. Decorations – 10%
   6. Music – 10%
   7. Other – 5%
6. Track expenses. Prepare a sheet to track all your expenses to make sure you stay in the budget. With that many different expenses it can be easy to get lost.
7. Plan for unexpected costs. Anything can happen at any time. The host can catch a cold and you may need a replacement. Someone can spill a drink on the photographer’s equipment. Set aside a small part of your budget for unexpected costs.

How to Save Money on a Wedding Venue

Choosing a wedding venue is one of the critical decisions you must make. The location you select will set the tone of your day. A venue is among the most significant wedding expenses.

In fact, research indicates that, on average, couples spend $10,700 on a wedding space in the US. However, it’s possible to find affordable spots to tie the knot. How? Follow these tips: 

Get Married During Off-Peak Season 

Depending on the venue you wish to hold your wedding, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by getting married in the off-season. Perhaps in early spring and late winter. Even though the weather might not be favorable for a wedding, it will be totally worth it. You’ll get married in your preferred venue but at a much lower price.

Weekday Weddings

Marrying on a weekday is a great way to save on your wedding. Usually, venues charge more for weekend events since there is a lot of competition. Although it’s not a convenient day for you or your loved ones, it will save you a bunch. Changing your wedding date from Saturday to a Friday, Thursday, or even Monday might be the answer to your tight budget. If you pick Friday, you can extend your celebrations into the weekend with a party or barbecue elsewhere.

Avoid a Backyard Wedding 

You may think having a reception in your backyard will help you spare some coins. However, that’s not the case. It’s often even more expensive compared to a traditional wedding venue. 

Why? You’ll have to rent everything from generators to tents, a food prep station, and even portable toilets. All these expenses will add up quickly. So, it’s best to look for an all-inclusive venue that provides many services in-house. 

How to Save Money on Wedding Catering

Research shows couples spend at least $75 per person on wedding food in the US. This statistic is an indication that catering is another considerable expense. However, you can save in various ways while still serving tasty and memorable meals to your guests. Here’s how: 

Have a Cocktail-Style Reception 

You can save money by skipping a sit-down dinner or buffet. Instead, go for passed appetizers. But ensure you have enough for everyone, and your guests don’t get hungry. 

Hold a Brunch Wedding 

A brunch menu is usually less expensive than dinner. So, consider holding a wedding in the morning or early afternoon – it can help you save on food. You’ll still wow your visitors with fresh waffles, omelet stations, and more! 

Serve Seasonal, Local Ingredients

Usually, when food items are out of season, they are expensive. So, deciding to offer in-season dishes on your big day can minimize catering prices. 

As a bonus, foods in season are usually fresh and taste better. So, talk with your caterer to know what’s in season and which options are most affordable. 

Limit the Bar 

Are you in for a wide cocktail selection and a fully stocked open bar your priority? If not, consider limiting your alcohol selection to save. 

Rather than stocking your bar with every mixer and liquor imaginable, stick to beer and wine. If you want more variety, including one or two signature drinks on your menu is a great idea.

How to Save Money on Your Wedding Flowers and Décor

Nowadays, flowers make up a huge chunk of a wedding budget. But this doesn’t mean you can’t save your hard-earned money. What do we recommend? Well, to start with, be flexible and listen to your florist. Other ways to save on wedding décor and flowers include: 

Select a Naturally Beautiful Venue 

The best way to save money while planning a wedding is by selecting a venue that doesn’t require extensive décor to look beautiful. Choose a flower garden or a public park. This way, you won’t have to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on additional décor. 

Buy In-Season and Local Flowers

If you buy in-season blooms for your event, you’ll save a lot on your big day. This is because local and in-season flowers are cheaper than those shipped from abroad. For example, getting peonies and ranunculus all year round can be challenging, but daisies and roses are readily available and cost less. 

Repurpose Flowers

One of the tips to save money is to use the same flowers in different settings. You can use ceremony flowers for the reception and bridesmaid bouquets can serve as table centerpieces. In case you have an arch of flowers, you can use it as a photo booth during your wedding.

DIY Elements

If you want to save the most on flowers, you can buy some different types of flowers in bulk and do the centerpieces yourself. Combine the flowers with some greenery and you will have some chic handmade flower decor for the wedding.

How to Save Money on a Wedding Cake

Your wedding cake is probably the priciest dessert you’ll ever have to purchase. Lucky for you, we have tips that will help you save on your wedding cake. They include: 

Order a Small Display Cake 

Consider going for a one or two-tier cake for that unforgettable cake-cutting moment. Then, supplement it with cookies, cupcakes, pies, or sheet cake so everyone can have a slice. 

Select Fresh Flowers Rather Than Sugar 

Even though sugar flowers are small, they are costly since they require time and effort to prepare. So, choose fresh flowers for your confection because they are more affordable. 

Opt For Slimmer Slices 

Obviously, smaller cake slices will enable you to save on a cake. So, when cutting the cake, go for slimmer pieces, especially if you’ll cater an additional dessert bar. This way, you’ll save on cake costs.

How to Save Money on Wedding Invitations and Stationery

There are so many beautiful wedding invitations out there, so finding a pocket-friendly option can be tedious. Fortunately, we have some tips and tricks to help you cut your wedding stationery budget. 

Go Digital 

Special printing techniques such as engraving, letterpress, and foil stamping are gorgeous but expensive. If you wish to save, go the digital way since it’s more affordable. 

DIY Invitations

You can use free design software such as Canva to create professional-looking invitations and then print them out in needed amounts. Or, you can print out empty invitations and make them hand-written, giving a personal touch and nostalgic style.

Stick to Standard Sizes

One mistake that couples make is to forget to budget for postage fees while allocating funds for wedding invitations, and this can build drastically. Technically, heavy, uniquely shaped, or large invites will cost more to send. Therefore, ensure your invitation is simple and light.

How to Save Money on Wedding Attire

Of course, your wedding attire means a lot to you. After all, the meaningful photographs from the event will feature your outfit. Therefore, something that will make you feel confident and comfortable without going overboard is essential. Here is how to save money on your attire: 

Rent Attire

Even though renting your attire might not seem like a good choice, you will save lots of money. And because you will probably only wear your wedding dress once, renting will also clear space in your closet. There are many websites where you can rent chic designer looks at affordable prices. 

Shop Sample Sales 

Before you purchase attire, do some pre-shopping research. Contact your local dress shop to know whether they have sample sales or trunk shows coming soon. These events can help you save a lot.

Avoid Last-Minute Shopping 

The best way to save on your wedding dress or suit is to shop early. The best time to start shopping is eight months before the wedding day. Last-minute orders will incur extra expenses, such as rush fees. 

How to Save Money on Wedding Photography and Videography

A photographer and videographer are essential in a wedding. With so many options out there, you must be careful when choosing one for your special day. The best way to save is by researching a vendor before hiring one. Want to save a few more dollars? Check these tips out: 

Limit Hours

Consider hiring your photographer for at least 8-10 hours rather than the whole day, which is usually 12-14 hours. Within 8-10 hours, they’ll still be able to capture the most critical moments. In the end, expect a 20% saving! 

Choose a Local Photographer and Videographer 

Many professional photo and video pros charge extra fees if they have to travel from afar. So, narrow your research to experts living near your wedding venue.

Simplify the Package

Some photographers and videographers will give you the option to customize your package. So, study it carefully and remove the things you do not need, such as your parent’s album, extra filming, a drone shot, etc. This way, you can save and keep things within your budget. 

How to Save Money on Wedding Music

Having a live band on your big day is the best way to create a unique atmosphere. Even though some bands can be expensive, you can still find affordable ones. Here is how you can save money and hire a talented and reliable crew simultaneously. 

DIY Music

Create playlists for different parts of the wedding: ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and dancing. On platforms like Shopify or Apple Play you can easily create separate playlists for every occasion. Also, instead of a DJ, you can borrow speakers and sound systems from friends or acquaintances.

Hire Local or Smaller Bands 

Bands charge extra if they have to travel to your wedding venue. The prices can add up quickly, especially if they come from a different city and have to stay overnight. Fortunately, you can save by hiring locally. 

Pre-Recorded Ceremony Music

Instead of hiring live musicians for your ceremony, you can opt for pre-recorded classical pieces or favorite songs to accompany you walking down the aisle.

How to Save Money on Wedding Transportation

Transportation is critical when it comes to planning a wedding. It helps ensure you and your family reach your wedding venue. You can hire a professional transport company to help you select suitable vehicles and stay on budget. 

Choose Venues Close Together

There are various things to consider when selecting your venue, and proximity should be one of them. To save on transportation, choose a ceremony site close to guest accommodations and the reception spot. You can save more if you select a venue with a wedding space, reception area, and accommodation options under one roof.

Opt for Rideshare Services

Consider using Uber, Lyft, or other taxi services in your area. Don’t go for luxury cars and travel in full capacities. You can even decide on a promo code to cover part of your guests’ fare.

Carpooling

One way to save on transportation is by renting a six-person town car instead of a limo. Of course, the whistles and bells result in a fun ride, but your objective should be to get to and from your venue safely (and on a budget.)

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