So you’re engaged and beginning the process of planning your wedding, congratulations! Did you know that the average wedding costs between $20,000 and $30,000? If you’re interested in some ways to save money on a wedding, read on!
- Trim Your Guest List – Vendors usually price out services by “head”, which means you’re paying for each individual guest. Take a hard look at your guest list, and see if you can decrease it by even one or two tables. That’s 10 to 20 invites, meals, centerpieces and more, which can easily add up! Try and cut back on the number of people as opposed to the amenities so you don’t feel like you’re giving up something for everyone.
- Save a Cent, Rent! – Whenever possible, try and rent instead of buying when it comes to supplies. From tablecloths to tea candles, see what’s available from your venue or outside vendors to borrow. Try to avoid spending your hard earned cash on decor and items that you’ll only use for one day!
- Timing is Everything – Most weddings occur on a Saturday, and there are only about 52 of them every year. If the day of the week or the month of your wedding isn’t important to you, look into having it on a Friday or Sunday, or in an off-peak month (usually between October and March). Pro tip: If your wedding isn’t on a Saturday, guests might need to allocate for time off work or travel days. Send your invitations a bit earlier to give them extra time to plan for attending if you go this route.
- Celebrate the Season – Browsing through Pinterest can be especially dangerous if you get your heart stuck on one particular flower, especially if it’s not local to your venue or in season. Flowers that need to be flown in can cost quite a bit more than something local, so keep that in mind when you’re selecting your blooms. Local or less-traveled flowers also tend to look fresher, so it’s a win-win!
- (Don’t) Pour Your Heart Out – Waiters are usually instructed to fill any glass that’s empty within reach of them, and when you’re paying for the alcohol that can add up quickly! Ask the staff to offer a refill to guests before they pour. You could also see about having smaller glasses available at the bar or during your cocktail hour to keep quantities down.
- Have Your (Cup) Cake & Eat it Too! – Just because everyone talks about a wedding cake it doesn’t mean you have to have one. If you and your future spouse aren’t into the idea of a big cake, explore other dessert options! Pie, cupcakes, cookies or an ice cream bar are all fun alternatives, and it’s another way you can make the day feel extra special while also saving some money.
- I Spy With My Little Eye… – When it comes to your wedding day decor, allocate your funds where your guests will actually see the results. Focus on decorating places at eye level like tabletops, entryways and arches. Guests are less likely to look up or down (think of it like the shelves at the grocery store), so you’ll get the most bang for your buck by decorating those key places first. Pro tip: While high ceilings and tents can look grand, they also require a grand budget to decorate. Keep your costs down by selecting a venue where you can avoid that extra cost.
- Something Borrowed – If possible, look to friends, family or other brides for items that you can borrow for your big day. When it comes to jewelry and accessories, ask around if there any family heirlooms or pieces that you could adorn for the day. If a brand new dress isn’t in your budget, check out sites like Poshmark, Nearly Newlywed or Once Wed for previously-loved gowns. Remember that while these gowns might cost less, you’ll want to leave room in your budget for alterations.
- There’s No Place Like… – Home! Moreover, there’s no place like a non-traditional wedding venue. Instead of exclusively looking at tried and true venues like hotels, wineries, etc, explore other options! Some unique ideas could be a backyard (check out Airbnb, Peerspace or VRBO), a restaurant, brewery or public garden. Because these venues aren’t primarily used for weddings, they’ll likely be a lot less expensive than your traditional wedding venue. Pro tip: Restaurants usually won’t charge a venue fee, so you’ll only be looking at paying for the food and drinks! Pick a place that already has great decor so you can skip that cost too.
- Crafts To DIY For – Whenever you can, DIY! This can be anything from making your own favors to tying your own ribbons around napkins, and the more you do yourself the more money you’ll save. You can even enlist friends, family and your bridal party to help out. Pro tip: The phrase “Pinterest Fail” exists for a reason! Tackle DIYs that are within your capacity so you don’t accidentally bite off more than you can chew. Not sure what you should attempt? Check out more information about what you should and shouldn’t DIY for your wedding here!
You’ll likely soon realize when you start planning one that weddings can cost a lot of money. With these helpful tips and a good budget, you’ll be able to plan the wedding of your dreams while still keeping the cost under control!
Erika focuses on email marketing, copywriting and merchandising at Zazzle, but she has a secret obsession with all things wedding! During the week you can find her writing punny subject lines while also pinning the latest wedding trends, and outside of the 9-5, she is usually cheering on the San Jose Sharks, reading a good murder mystery, or hunting for the best Philly Cheesesteak in the Bay Area.
