1. Having a wedding in the winter months is definitely cheaper than having it in peak seasons, such as fall or summer.
2. Consider a daytime wedding instead of the evening, or a Friday or Sunday wedding instead of a Saturday. Since evenings and Saturdays are the most popular times for weddings, the cost will definitely be highest at those times.
3. Large wedding parties are pretty common now, but keep in mind this comes with a price. Having a large wedding party means that you have to purchase more bouquets, more thank-you gifts, and if you planned on covering any of their expenses, such as make-up or hair, you would have to shell out more for that too! So cut back on the number of people involved to save!
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4. Take a very close look at your guest list and make sure that everyone you’re planning to invite is someone important to you that you would miss if he or she wasn’t there. People tend to get carried away inviting everyone they know, even people they haven’t spoken to in years. Remember, the more people you have, the higher the cost is for services like catering, décor, favors- everything!
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5. Instead of seating 8 people at a table, consider seating 10-12. This will save on table décors such as centerpieces, stationery for table numbers, and linens. Be sure that you are using a 72” round table as you increase the number of people at the table. Otherwise, people will get to know each other a little too well.
6. Food is definitely important at any event, especially a wedding, but instead of having five courses and a slew of fancy upgrades, stick to the basics and go for what’s in season or local. Keep in mind that if your guests don’t see the “Asian Fusion Station,” they won’t miss it because they never knew it was an option! Remember, as long as it’s delicious, no one will complain.
7. We all know that alcohol is usually an important aspect of people when they are planning a wedding, but having an open bar is pricey. Instead of having a full-blown premium open bar, consider having a bar that will only serve beer, wine, plus a few signature drinks.
8. You don’t have to nix the beautiful wedding cake you have always envisioned, but you should scale down on the size if you want to save money. One creative idea- opt to have the cake only feed a portion of your guests and have a sheet cake hidden in the back made with the same filling(s), etc to serve the rest. No one will know that their slice came from a sheet cake instead of a real wedding cake, and they really wouldn’t mind as long as it is delicious!
9. It is often said that using credit cards that have rewards is a wonderful way to pay for wedding expenses. However, using a credit card to take care of wedding expenses to earn 5% back on your purchases or frequent flyer miles is just not worth it because of all the interest you will have to pay back on your purchases. Instead of using a credit card, try using a bank or debit card. Many banks offer rewards on purchases made with your bank card, so you can still accumulate rewards without having to shell out extra money in the long run.
10. Consider fruits and/or vegetables as a part of your centerpieces, bouquets, and other parts of your event, such as place card holders. They are natural beauties and can truly add a different and unique element to your flowers. Since it will reduce the overall amount of flowers you need, it will in turn save on your cost of flowers!
11. Candles make an absolutely beautiful and elegant statement all on their own. Instead of using flowers, utilize the beauty of lit candles. Creating centerpieces with various pillar sizes on a glass mirror is gorgeous. Spice it up with decorative rocks, crystal pieces, or votives. You can find quality candles for a good price, so definitely shop around. Wholesale floral supply stores are great.
12. Providing individual menus to each guest is a new trend that is a beautiful touch. However, when funds are tight, providing a table menu is a great alternative. Have your invitation designer print one menu card for each table that is big enough for all to see. You can print the table number or name on the menu card as well.
13. Consider a destination wedding. Weddings on Caribbean islands are not expensive at all. For just a few thousand dollars, they usually include everything you need. You will have a small guest turn up, but the guests who are most important will make it a point to be there. If you would like, you can have a party when you return, for everyone important to you that couldn’t make it.
14. Know where to cut corners (and when to pony up the cash)! Décor is always a critical part of an event. It’s one of the top things your guests will talk about after everything is over. The most important aspects of your décor are linens, lighting, centerpieces, chairs, and chair covers. This doesn’t mean that you should buy the most expensive items in these categories, but they are areas worth investing in to make everything look beautiful. Look for great cost-effective items that will still give that “wow” factor.
15. The first thing that people want to do when they have to save money is to ask their family and friends to take on important roles in the event. This happens all the time, and it’s not something that is not recommended. College bestie becomes the photographer, your cousin Suzie is the planner, Aunt Helen is the florist, and so on. Although these people love you, keep a few things in mind:
First, if something goes wrong (unfortunately, this happens all too often), it will affect your relationship and possibly ruin your day.
Next, they are not professionals in the field, so you may not be so happy with Aunt Helen’s floral creations.
Also, these individuals are a part of your day as well – they need to get ready and take time for themselves, so it’s not possible for them to do that and take care of all of the other day-of responsibilities.
There are things that you can do yourself and ask your friends/family for help with. Things like packaging your favors, taking care of errands, and possibly creating some of your stationery materials, such as table numbers. Just be careful not to take on too much - that could bring on a whole new set of problems. Planners are definitely a great investment that saves stress, time, and money!
Do you have any other tips to help nearly weds spend less? Share them in the comments section below.
