100 Creative Ways to Cut Wedding Costs
With average wedding costs hovering around $20,000, many newlyweds start their lives together in debt. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way. It is possible to save money and have a great wedding at the same time. Check out these tips for keeping your wedding day focused on celebrating love, not financial ruin.
Dress
Every bride wants to look like a million bucks on her wedding day. Very few actually want to spend that much. Here’s how to look great without busting your budget.
- Avoid buying a “wedding” dress: Check out bridesmaid, prom, and department store dresses. You may be able to find a dress that just happens to be white at a fraction of the cost. You’ll do even better if you’re looking for a dress in off-white, champagne, or another color.
- Wear someone else’s gown: Ask your mother, grandmother or other family member if she’ll let you wear her dress. She will be honored that you asked, and you can’t get cheaper than free. Remember, though, that you will probably need to have it altered.
- Shop sample sales: You can score a designer dress for less if you hit sample sales, especially if you wear a size 8 or something close to it. Sales are usually held during the winter and summer months.
- Make your own veil: Veils are usually just made of tulle and a comb or tiara. Don’t pay $30 or more for something you can make on your own for significantly less. Arm yourself with a glue gun, fabric, and a headpiece, then get to work!
- Do your own hair and makeup: Unless you’re planning on doing something complicated and ornate, you probably don’t need to call in the professionals. Look to wedding magazines for ideas and instructions, then try it out yourself. Remember to practice your style at least once before your wedding day to make sure things will go smoothly.
- Buy a dress that fits now: Many brides plan on losing weight before they get married and buy a too-small dress for motivation. However, this strategy can set you up for disaster if you don’t make it to your goal weight. Buy a dress that fits now, then have it altered when you lose the weight. It’s always cheaper to take in a dress than to let it out.
- Wear family jewelry: You don’t need to spend lots of money on wedding jewelry. Chances are that someone in your family has something nice for you to wear on your big day. This saves you money and also takes care of finding “something borrowed.”
- Rent the tux or buy an affordable suit: Chances are your husband-to-be won’t need to wear a tux on a regular basis. Instead of buying one, rent it or just get a nice suit that he’ll be able to wear again.
Invitations
You’ve set the date and figured out your guest list; now it’s time to let everyone know. Follow these tips to send out a stylish announcement without spending a fortune.
- Announce your save-the-date by email or phone call: If you’ve set your date far in advance or on a busy weekend, you may want to send out a save-the-date announcement. Of course, these cards are an added expense. Instead of paying for paper, printing and postage, send your announcement via email or just pick up the phone to let everyone know.
- Print your own invitations: There are a multitude of programs and paper packages that allow you to create your own invitations. Use one to save money as well as make your invites more personal.
- Use thermography: If you like the look of engraved invitations, consider using thermography instead. You’ll get a similar effect for less money.
- Use standard envelopes instead of square: Square envelopes cost more to mail. Even though it’s just a few cents, it can add up when you consider how many invitations you’ll send out. Choose invitations that fit into standard envelopes and you’ll save on postage.
- Check office supply stores: Wedding boutiques and specialty paper stores tend to charge a premium for invitations. Fortunately, they’re not the only places to go for quality print products. Check out commercial printers like Kinko’s, Office Depot, and Staples to get more for your money.
- Post card replies: Instead of including a reply card with its own envelope, use a post card. You’ll save money on envelopes, plus postage going both ways.
- Skip the mailed reply card: Don’t bother including a reply card. Ask for a phone call or email instead. You can even use websites like www.weddingtracker.com for this purpose. If you think Grandma or other guests may not be able to handle it, have your mother or bridesmaid call to confirm their RSVP.
Flowers
Flowers can be the most beautiful part of your wedding décor. Unfortunately, they can also be the most expensive. Use these tips to stretch your flower budget.
- Carry a single stem instead of a bouquet: A simple and elegant single stem can make just as strong a statement as a large bouquet. You’ll save money on both flowers and your florist’s labor by doing this.
- Use candles to highlight flowers: Candles can usually be purchased for less than flowers, so use them to your advantage. Use fewer flowers, then put the spotlight on them with candles.
- Buy from internet wholesale florists: Take your comparison shopping outside your local area by checking out prices from internet wholesale florists.
- Grow your own: Seeds, soil and sunlight are more affordable than anything you’d be able to buy from a florist.
- Choose in-season, locally grown flowers: Flowers that don’t have to be flown in will be significantly cheaper.
- Buy silk flowers: Silk flowers are generally cheaper than real ones, plus you won’t have to worry about keeping them alive. That means you can buy them months in advance and shop for sales.
- Supplement flowers with fresh herbs from the grocery store: You can pick up nice looking herbs at the grocery store for an affordable supplement to your flowers. They look good and smell good, too.
- Give your florist a color scheme, not particular flowers: Allow your florist flexibility so that they can pick out the most affordable flowers for your color scheme. Remember to provide a list of flowers that you want to avoid.
Décor
The cost of linens, centerpieces, and other decorations can really add up. Here’s how to set the mood without spending more than you need to.
- Rent plants: Plants can make an attractive background and are an affordable alternative to flowers and other decorations.
- Simple centerpieces: Don’t go overboard with a huge, expensive centerpiece that takes up half of the table. Keep your centerpieces simple and cheap, like a pretty bowl filled with water and floating candles.
- No favors: Save money on favors by nixing them altogether. Who really wants a piece of chocolate with your name on it, anyway?
- Make your own centerpieces: Don’t pay your florist big bucks to put together centerpieces. Make your own with supplies from the dollar store and a little ingenuity.
- Decorate with paper: If you have creativity and a little time, you can make very affordable decorations using origami and fishing line. You don’t have to buy expensive origami paper, either. You can use plain white sheets or even sticky notes.
- Buy fabric by the yard instead of finished linens: You don’t have to go with expensive finished linens to get a nice look. Head to the fabric store and cut your own. Try sheer fabric for a nice look and forgiving edges.
- Combine favors and placecards: Don’t spend money on two separate things that can be combined. Find placecards that can double as favors.
Venue & Ceremony
Costs add up, whether they’re a large expense like a reception hall, or a small one like a ring bearer’s pillow. No matter what the size, you can keep them from getting out of control by using these tips.
- Have a friend officiate: If you’re not getting married in a church, doing this can save you the cost of hiring someone to marry you.
- Ring bearers and flower girls optional: It’s not necessary to have a ring bearer and flower girl, especially if you’re not inviting children to your wedding. You’ll save the cost of a pillow, basket and flower petals.
- Get married in a garden: With a garden as your venue, you may be able to save on rental costs. You’ll also be able to spend less on decorations, as the garden should provide a naturally beautiful backdrop.
- Get married in someone’s backyard: Bring your rental costs down to zero by borrowing a friend or family member’s backyard for the day.
- Have everything at one site: Have your ceremony and reception at the same place to save on rental fees, transportation, décor and other costs.
- Reserve a spot at a state or national park: Take advantage of the great outdoors for a cheap, picturesque venue.
- Rent a private room at a restaurant: Private restaurant rooms tend to be cheaper than hotel ballrooms as well as more intimate.
- Get married at your college chapel: College chapels are generally more affordable than traditional ones. You may even be able to take advantage of an alumni discount.
Food
For most couples, food is their biggest wedding expense. You want to serve something your guests can enjoy, but it’s not necessary to go broke doing so. These are a few ways to provide great food without spending a lot of money.
- Buy and cook your own food: If you’re doing a backyard wedding or celebrating in a non-traditional venue, you may be able to bring in your own food. Buy in bulk and make preparation a fun, family affair.
- Forget dessert, just serve wedding cake: Some caterers will add a dessert course to your reception menu, but when you’re serving wedding cake, it’s just not necessary.
- Buffet to save on waitstaff: Save on labor costs by letting guests serve themselves.
- Rent dinner plates: You don’t have to go out and buy plates for your wedding or even use the ones provided by your vendor. Shop around to see if you can get a better deal by renting.
- Serve a single-plate meal: If you’re serving something substantial, your guests can do without multiple courses. Keep it simple with a single-plate meal of protein, starch and vegetable, plus cake.
- Serve seasonal, local food: Like flowers, food tends to be cheaper if it doesn’t have to be flown in or extensively preserved.
- Select a venue that lets you bring in your own catering and alcohol: A separate caterer may be able to give you a better deal than what’s offered at the venue.
- Have a potluck: If you’re having a casual family wedding, ask everyone to bring their favorite dish.
- Enlist the help of the ladies’ auxiliary: Couples who have their reception at a church can save money by hiring the church’s women’s group. They can provide good food at a great price, often at cost plus a reasonable donation.
- Go appetizer-only: At an early afternoon wedding, your guests won’t expect a full meal. Serve tasty hors d’oeuvres and save money.
Cake
Wedding cakes are high-profile pastry, and it’s often difficult to cut corners on this expense. After all, you can’t just dress up a Betty Crocker powder mix with sprinkles. However, there are ways to cut costs and still have something beautiful.
- Don’t do cake: If you don’t care for cake, don’t have it. It will save you money and you’ll get to eat something you really enjoy. Consider setting up an ice cream or fruit bar instead. You’ll save while still getting what you want.
- Cupcakes instead of cake: Instead of paying a baker to construct a multi-tiered cake, consider doing a more economical cupcake tree.
- Hire an individual instead of a bakery: Individual bakers have lower overhead and often make cakes as a fun side job.
- Rent your cake: Renting a fake cake can provide a huge cost savings over a regular one. They are generally made out of foam, with one real slice for the bride and groom to cut out. The guests are served a real sheet cake that comes with the rental.
- Order a small cake for cutting: If you don’t like the idea of a fake cake, you can still do something similar. Just order a small decorated cake to cut, then have sheet cake in the kitchen for your guests.
- Decorate a plain cake with flower petals: Part of the expense of wedding cakes are their ornate decorations. To cut this cost, decorate a plain white cake with flower petals. Just be sure to avoid flowers that may make your guests sick.
Alcohol
You want your guests to have a good time, but that doesn’t have to mean footing a runaway bar bill. Use these tips to keep your beverage budget from going overboard.
- Forget about hard liquor: Hard liquor and mixed drinks cost more than other alcohol. Cut them out and offer choices of beer, wine and soft drinks instead.
- Homebrew: Do you know someone who homebrews their beer? Ask them to consider providing beer for your wedding at cost.
- Make your own wine: Some vineyards allow you to make your own wine. Depending on your choice, this can cost less than $5 per bottle. For even more savings, print your own label and give extra bottles away as attendant gifts.
- Toast with white wine instead of champagne: Champagne can get expensive, and not everyone likes the carbonation. Save money by offering a nice white wine instead.
- Offer a specialty drink instead of a full bar: A full bar with a variety of liquors can be very expensive. Narrow your drink choices down to one crowd pleaser to keep costs reasonable.
- Limit bar time: You don’t have to keep the alcohol flowing all night. Have a cocktail hour, then serve only wine and beer with dinner. Offer champagne or white wine with dessert.
- Don’t serve alcohol: You can cut this cost altogether by not serving alcohol at all. This, of course, depends on your crowd.
- Have a coffee bar instead of an alcoholic one: If you’ve decided to nix alcohol, your guests may appreciate an alternative beverage bar. Consider having a coffee bar with a barista who can whip up espressos, lattes and other specialty coffee drinks.
Vendors
Wedding professionals create a wonderful atmosphere and provide helpful services. However, they can come at a high cost. Check out these ways to save on your musicians, photographer and other vendors.
- Hire a high-quality vendor: This may seem counterintuitive, but it’s important to splurge on a professional that can get the job done right. You’ll spend more in the long run if your amateur photographer or band flakes out on you and you’re forced to hire someone else at the last minute.
- Consider everything optional: Do you really need a videographer? Crazy DJ lights? Think about details that can be cut to save money.
- Limit live music: If you’re hiring musicians, you can save money by limiting the amount of time they are required to perform. Use them for your cocktail hour and first dance, then supply your own music with an iPod or a CD.
- Go for a package deal: Many photographers will throw in free albums, engagement sessions, or proof books if you buy a complete package.
- Hire a music student: Consider hiring a budding musician. They can offer quality talent at a fraction of the cost.
- Ask for a smaller package: Some vendors have a cheaper package that they don’t normally publish. You may find that it’s all you need.
- Negotiate with vendors: Your vendor may be willing to offer you a better deal to beat out competitors.
- DJ instead of live band: You can save money by choosing a DJ over a live band.
- Limit your videographer’s time: Ask your videographer if you can save money by only videotaping parts of the wedding, like the ceremony and first dance. That way, they don’t have to be there for more hours than necessary.
- Ask for services as a wedding present: If you know someone who works as a professional musician, photographer or other wedding vendor, ask them for their services as a wedding present. They’ll save money on buying you a gift, and you won’t have to pay someone to provide the service.
Timing is Everything
Whether it’s the season, time of day, or just a good time to shop, considering timing can make a big difference in your budget. These are a few ways you can put time on your side to get a good deal.
- Plan ahead: If you get started early, you’ll have the time and flexibility to shop sales, cut coupons, do-it-yourself and comparison shop.
- Avoid party seasons: If you get married during prom, Christmas, or other party seasons, you’ll be competing with schools, corporations and other party planners for venues, caterers and more. The demand can drive up costs significantly.
- Get married during the wintertime: You’ll have your choice of venues and the low demand for weddings in this season will help keep your costs down.
- Get married on a Sunday: Again, a lower demand for Sunday weddings will help you cut costs across the board.
- Morning wedding with brunch: A morning wedding calls for lighter food, which means you’ll spend less. You can also limit drinks to mimosas and screwdrivers.
- Get married when the church is decorated for holidays: If you get married when your church is already decorated for holidays like Christmas and Easter, you’ll avoid having to pay for them yourself.
- Avoid February: Valentine’s Day drives up the cost of flowers, diamonds and other wedding expenditures.
- Buy white lights on sale after Christmas: If you’re planning on decorating with string lights, pick them up dirt cheap at after-Christmas sales.
- Check out after-Valentine’s Day sales: You’ll be able to buy lots of candy favors, heart decorations and other wedding supplies at a fraction of the cost. This is especially beneficial if your wedding’s colors are pink or red.
- Check out after-prom dress sales: You can save hundreds of dollars by buying your dress off the clearance rack.
- Shop for white shoes around Easter: Buy white shoes around Easter to enjoy more availability and avoid bridal markup.
Where to Shop
Bridal salons are great for one-stop shopping, but you’ll pay a premium for the convenience. Check out these sources to save money.
- eBay: You can find great deals on nearly everything for your wedding on eBay. Look for dresses, décor, silk flowers, plates and more.
- Craigslist: Read Craigslist ads to find wedding supplies for cheap or free. You can even post your own ad asking for leftovers that other brides may have.
- Thrift stores: Hit local thrift stores for plates, vases, and other supplies in your color scheme. You can come up with cheap, eclectic decor this way.
- Consignment stores: You’ll find quality wedding dresses, décor and more for awesome prices at consignment stores.
Miscellaneous
They’re last but certainly not least. Follow these tips for even more ways to save on wedding costs.
- The big “W”: When getting quotes, don’t mention the word “wedding” until you have to. Some venues and vendors charge a premium for them. Say it’s an event or family gathering instead and hold them to it unless they can justify extra charges.
- Take on do-it-yourself projects: We’ve noted a few things that you can make on your own, but you may be able to think of even more that are applicable to your wedding. Just remember that DIY is not always cheaper. Research and consider the costs before you get started.
- Borrow a friend’s nice car for transportation: Avoid spending money on a limo and use a car with a personal touch.
- Have a smaller wedding party: Every additional bridesmaid and groomsman means spending more on flowers, gifts, and food. Consider cutting back on attendants to save money.
- Have a smaller wedding: Don’t feel compelled to invite your third cousin from Omaha that you’ve never met. Make your wedding a small affair and you’ll spend considerably less.
- Get out of the city: Weddings held out of town are usually cheaper.
- Ask friends and family members for leftovers: Do you know someone who has gotten married recently? Ask them to let you use leftover decorations and other supplies from their wedding.
- Use a rewards credit card: If you’re going to be spending money, you might as well get something for it! Use a rewards card to get money back or earn points toward honeymoon travel. Just remember to pay on time to avoid finance charges, otherwise you might end up paying for more than you get in return.
- Share decorating costs: See if another bride has booked your venue for the same weekend, then split costs if you can agree on any shared décor, flowers and other expenses.
- Consider hiring a wedding planner: Wedding planners may seem like an unnecessary cost, but depending on the size of your wedding, they may be able to save you money by using their connections and knowledge of the industry.
- Consider an intimate destination wedding: You’ll be able to slash the guest list and combine it with your honeymoon.
- Clip coupons: Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Bed Bath & Beyond and other stores send out regular coupons. Spread your shopping out and ask friends and relatives to let you use whatever coupons they get in the mail.
- Keep attendant gifts simple: You don’t have to go overboard with attendant gifts. Choose something affordable but meaningful. Hand-picked books with personal notes inside, or framed photos generally work well.
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