Top 15 Tips on How to Cut Wedding Costs and Save Big
- Share via
Highlights
- Reducing the guest list and going with close family and friends can be one of the ways to save money on food and rentals.
- Getting married on a weekday or off-season and going digital with invitations can be a cost-effective way to cut costs.
- Using friends and family for services, renting attire and simplifying decor can cut down wedding expenses big time.
Shrink the Guest List
Cutting the guest list is a powerful way to save on wedding costs. By having a smaller crowd, we were able to cut costs on food, seating, table decorations and printed menus. We put strict rules on who got invited and it worked. For example, work colleagues weren’t invited unless they had become personal friends and restrictions on plus ones helped reduce the numbers even further.
You don’t have to invite someone to your wedding just because they invited you to theirs. Keeping it to those who are truly important in your life makes the whole thing more personal and meaningful.
Not including children on the list can reduce the numbers considerably.
Weekday or Off-Season Weddings
Getting married on a weekday or in the off-season can save big. During slower months like January, February, July and November when demand is low, many venues drop their prices. Vendors are more willing to negotiate during these times which are not peak wedding months.
Wedding in the winter months tends to bring down costs across both venues and service providers compared to peak seasons like spring or fall. Getting married on a weekday can save even more than getting married on any weekend.
We planned our wedding in the off-season and considered weekdays instead of weekends and managed to get our desired venue at a reduced price – we were able to book it without breaking the bank. Many experts in the wedding industry recommend this for those who need to keep an eye on their wedding budget.
Go Digital with Wedding Invitations
By going digital with wedding invitations, couples can save big as they avoid printing and postage costs. These invites are not only budget-friendly but also eco-friendly and highly customizable to fit your wedding theme and style.
These electronic invites allow hosts to communicate any changes to the event details to their guests instantly. Many services have tools to make list management and RSVP collection easy.
Digital wedding invitations mean international shipping delays are a thing of the past, guests across the globe will receive them immediately. They add interactivity by having dynamic elements like video content and links.
Budget Friendly Wedding Dresses
Finding an affordable wedding dress was a major part of our wedding planning. Sample sales at local bridal shops allow you to buy designer dresses with 40% to 70% off. For example, during its season ending sales in January and July, David’s Bridal offers dresses from as low as $99 and also has sample sales where you can find discounted designer gowns.
End of season sales in January and July give you opportunities to buy gowns at 30% to 70% off. Online marketplaces like Stillwhite and Poshmark have previously-owned wedding dresses at 50% off or more – 50% to 80% off. Since the average dress costs over $1,800 in America, these cost-effective options are a must.
Choosing a pre-loved dress was key for us not only to cut expenses but also to wear a designer dress without breaking the bank. This route is amazing for looking great on your special day while being mindful of your wedding budget.
Simplify Your Wedding Flowers
Simplifying wedding flowers can save you big. We chose seasonal and locally grown flowers which reduced our arrangements costs. A budget-friendly bridesmaids’ bouquet can be made using 2 or 3 large blooms with filler.
Using greenery instead of flowers as table runners is another cost-effective option. Focusing on fewer types of flowers allowed us to get bulk discounts. Avoiding fresh floral arrangements also saved us costs and reduced the workload of same-day setup.
DIY Wedding Decor
We made our own wedding decorations and saved a ton. We used books, votives, seashells, candles and heirloom photos as unique non-floral decor. Involved loved ones in the preparations, such as baking or making decorations, made them more invested in the event.
DIY items like custom candy jars filled with treats added a personal touch without breaking the bank. Plantable favors like seed paper allowed our guests to grow flowers in memory of our wedding – great for cost savings and personalization.
Cut Catering Costs
Reducing food costs was achieved by streamlining the menu to select high-quality items. Down sizing the serving sizes helped cut food expenses. Narrowing down to just a few options for main courses cut costs and made coordination easier.
Using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients proved beneficial as they are usually less expensive and fresher thus saving us money on food. Encouraging guests to take leftovers home maximized the use of food. Choosing buffet or family style service greatly trimmed down catering costs and gave guests flexibility over their portion sizes.
A cocktail reception provided lighter fare which contributed to overall savings by not having to serve heavier main courses. It was a cost effective option for us.
Limit the Alcohol Options
We found ways to cut our wedding costs so we limited the number of alcohol we served. Instead of a full bar we offered guests a selection of one or two signature cocktails and beer and wine. This along with buying our own alcohol instead of top-shelf options saved us $1 to $4 per drink.
We also didn’t pre-pour champagne at tables which helped trim expenses further. Another cost saving measure was to limit the open bar to only during cocktail hour – this reduced our overall expenses while still giving our guests a good time.
Smaller Wedding Cake
Choosing a smaller wedding cake was one of the easiest ways to cut our wedding costs. We chose a compact, ornamental cake designed for cutting and served sheet cakes to our guests – this was an affordable alternative to the multi-tiered wedding cakes. A buttercream finish with real flowers instead of fondant and handcrafted sugar decorations also saved us big. We used this small decorative cake as the centerpiece and served pieces from a cost-effective sheet cake so all our guests could indulge without breaking the bank. We considered alternatives like cupcakes and found they were chic and budget friendly with lower starting prices per serving. By serving smaller portions of cake we could have less and save on overall costs for the dessert part of our celebration.
Use Talented Friends and Family
Using the talents of our friends and family helped reduce our wedding expenses. We were gifted by our loved ones with photography and music for the event and relatives baked for us. These contributions not only saved us money but also made our wedding preparations more special and unique.
Alternatively, using smartphones or Polaroid cameras to document the event can be a substitute for a professional photographer. Bringing in close ones during the planning stages can add warmth and closeness to the event.
One Venue for Ceremony and Reception
Having one location for our ceremony and reception saved us a ton of money. We cut down on transportation costs and vendor travel time between venues. Public spaces like parks, historical landmarks or beaches were an economical solution to host both parts of our celebration in one spot.
By repurposing decor from the ceremony to the reception we were able to get more use out of them and save money. For example, we transferred the flowers from the ceremony backdrop to the reception space to add decor without extra cost. We also reassigned chairs from the ceremony for guest seating at the reception – another easy way to trim down decoration costs.
No Champagne Toast
We saved by skipping the champagne toast which was $10 per guest. Instead we chose less expensive options like Crémant and Prosecco as our sparkling wine. Instead of champagne we served a signature cocktail so guests could participate in the toast. Serving champagne only at the bar instead of pre-pouring for each guest saved us money.
Rent Wedding Attire
Renting attire changed our wedding budget entirely. Renting a dress saves a ton of money, $50 to $600. By renting we avoid the hassle and cost of cleaning and storing the dress after the wedding.
Many rental services offer full packages with accessories so you can get a complete look with ease. With many rental platforms offering online shopping, brides can find their perfect look from home – we found that’s how we saved without sacrificing style.
Minimalist Wedding Favors
We cut the cost by going for simple wedding favors but still gave our guests something to remember us by. Our choices were cost effective like homemade jam and eco friendly gifts like saplings which became more affordable in bulk.
Personalized items like bottle openers and keychains added sentiment without breaking the bank. We also thought about making charitable donations on behalf of our guests instead of traditional wedding favors.
Photography and Videography
We managed our wedding budget by being strategic with our photography and videography, hiring photographers only for the hours needed to capture the important moments. We opted for one videographer instead of two to cut down costs.
To trim costs we discussed with our photographers the possibility of excluding unnecessary elements from our package like extra shooting time or albums for parents. By choosing a package that only gave us digital images we saved on costs and waste.
We also explored another cost effective way by choosing up-and-coming photographers who offered lower rates while still delivering quality work. Supporting local talents not only saved us on travel costs but benefited the community businesses as well and helped us save on our wedding expenses.
Conclusion
You don’t have to sacrifice your dream wedding by cutting costs. By making smart choices and prioritizing what matters most you can have a beautiful and memorable celebration without breaking the bank. From trimming the guest list to minimalist wedding favors, each tip we shared can save you money and add a personal touch to your special day.
Remember, the key to successful wedding planning is to be flexible and open-minded. With a little creativity and resourcefulness you’ll navigate the planning process smoothly and make memories with your loved ones. So go ahead and try these tips – your dream wedding is within reach!
FAQs
How can reducing the guest list help in cutting wedding costs?
Reducing your guest list can cut your costs by reducing meals, rentals and decorations.
Easy peasy!
What are the benefits of having a weekday or off-season wedding?
Having a weekday or off-season wedding can save you a lot on venue and vendor costs since there’s less demand.
You’ll have more options at better prices, so your dream day can be more affordable!
How do digital wedding invitations save money?
Digital wedding invitations save money by eliminating printing and postage costs and allowing for easy guest list management and real-time updates.
Smart choice!
What are some budget friendly options for wedding dresses?
You can find a beautiful dress on a budget by checking out sample sales, end of season discounts or pre-owned options on wedding websites like Stillwhite and Poshmark.
You can find something stunning without breaking the bank!
How can couples save on photography and videography costs?
You can save on photography and videography costs by hiring pros for just the hours needed, opting for digital only packages and considering up-and-coming talent who charge less.
This way you can keep your budget in check and capture your special moments beautifully.
More Weddings & Celebrations
Price Reduction – Now $19.99M
The Spitzer House | Los Feliz
664 Calle Miramar
