Save Money on Your Wedding Day

Weddings are expensive! These days the price of everything just keeps increasing. We want to help you, so here are some tips to know where to spend, where to cut back, and what to forget about so that you can stay within your budget and your guests won’t know the difference.

1. Find a venue where you can take your own alcohol

There’s always an up-charge for liquor. The venues can’t help it; it’s no different than buying a drink at a restaurant. If a venue has a liquor license, you can’t bring in your own alcohol. It’s actually illegal. So find a venue that doesn’t have one, so you can go to Costco and by all your alcohol for cheap. It’s a little more work to buy it, deliver it, and take the extras home at the end of the night, but in terms of cost, it’s worth it and your guests won’t know any differently.

2. Buy a wedding dress off the rack or used

You can save so much by buying a used dress. It might sound crazy, but a woman only wears her wedding dress one time. Some women end up buying two dresses because they changed their mind about what they like. They want to sell the first one that they’ve never worn. You can find dresses like this on Facebook groups or wedding resale websites. Bridal stores and boutiques have sales in the summer and winter to get rid of inventory for the next season. They’ve been tried on, but not really worn. Looking back on my wedding, I wish I would’ve gone to the $99 sale at David’s Bridal! The dress is a big deal, but spending a lot of money doesn’t make it more amazing. The right fit and your lovely face and figure are all you need. Check out this blog to learn more about finding affordable wedding dresses.

3. Skip programs, menus, and favors.

These little extras really add up and they usually end up in the trash. If people don’t already know your wedding party names, they probably don’t care. They’ll see the food when they get to the buffet, and the caterer typically provides labels for everything. You’re already giving your guests dinner, alcohol, entertainment, and dessert. You don’t need to pay for a cheesy gift that they will never use.

4. Rent or buy used centerpieces

Centerpieces are important! But there are ways to make them more cost-effective. There are vendors who rent decor so brides don’t have to buy it. This can be a cheaper option than buying it yourself. You can also look for used decor on a wedding resale website or share with a friend who’s getting married near the same time you are. Splitting the cost with someone else can make a huge difference. Dollar stores also have good prices on vases, candles, and chargers. Check out this website to learn more about the online Wedding Flea Market.

5. Have family members contribute desserts

Think about people you know who love to bake and ask if they would provide cookies, brownies, or their specialty dessert for your wedding. 5-10 friends/family members could provide hundreds of desserts for very little money. Most people you know will be thrilled to be able to help you. People like to be asked to participate; it makes them feel important and included. If you want a cake, you can get a small cake just for cutting and then have a dessert buffet for your guests.

6. Consider a friend and/or youtube videos for hair and make up

Of course you want to look your best on your wedding day, but Youtube has everything and so many girls love to do hair and makeup. Find a friend with that passion, practice a few times, and save money on your wedding day. Even if you paid your friend if wouldn’t be near the cost of the professional. You could also look into students in a Cosmetology program. They would likely offer affordable options.

Do NOT cut corners with your catering, photographer, or DJ.

Think about it. The food is one thing people are likely to remember for better or worse. In all cultures, we center celebrations around food and its quality is front and center for criticism and praise. You want good food on your wedding day, so be sure you have tastings and choose items that will still be good if they’ve been sitting for an hour in a chafer.

You also want amazing photos to look back on. It’s only one day, but the memories last a lifetime, so find a photographer who understands the significance of your special day and will be equipped to capture every moment.

The DJ is the vendor who carries your day on his shoulders. He is with you all day long! He makes sure your ceremony flows smoothly, runs the timeline of the reception, and entertains your guests. If he’s no good, your guests will get bored and leave early.

BONUS TIP: KNow what you’re getting with Your Wedding Venue

Just because a venue is cheap doesn’t mean you’re getting a good deal. Pay attention to what you’re getting for that price. By the time you rent tables and chairs, book a caterer, add a bar, and rent linens, you might have a lot more invested than the other venue that included all of that to begin with. Be sure you’re comparing apples to apples when looking at pricing. For more information about venue pricing, check out this blog post from The Postmark.