Your wedding can be one of the most wonderful days of your life, but it can also be one of the most expensive. And who can fully enjoy wedded bliss if they’re still paying off a thick stack of wedding bills?
Thankfully, you don’t have to spend a full year’s salary on a blowout worthy of its own TLC special. Weddings can be memorable, unique, and romantic without breaking the bank. These 8 easy tips can help you save money on your big day!
Some people have a very clear vision of their perfect wedding. They know what they want to wear, where they want the reception to be held, and what food they want to serve. However, the more specific your vision, the harder it will be to save money.
Staying flexible with your plans can make it easier to find areas to cut expenses. For instance, if you are flexible about the date and time of day, you might be able to get a better deal on your venue.
Products that are marketed specifically for weddings are often significantly more expensive than similar products marketed for more general use. Weddings are a special day, so retailers know that people are willing to pay more than they ordinarily would. So as you’re shopping for wedding attire, decor, favors, and other must-have items, consider looking at options that aren’t intended exclusively for weddings.
For instance, you are likely to find “evening dresses” that are more affordable than most “wedding gowns” or “bridesmaid dresses.”
As a general rule, having more guests at your wedding usually makes your wedding more expensive. After all, you’re likely to need a larger venue and more food to accommodate everyone. Cutting down your guest list can definitely be tricky, but your wallet will thank you.
Your closest friends and family might be prepared to help you host a wonderful wedding, and making use of their skills can help you save big. For instance, if you have a friend who takes beautiful photos, you might be able to skip the photographer. Do you have an aunt who is a great baker? You might ask her to make cupcakes and forgo the big, expensive cake.
Some DIY elements can be fun, affordable, and add a personal touch to your wedding. For instance, rather than buying expensive floral arrangements for table centerpieces, you might craft your own unique centerpieces.
It’s easy to assume that all DIY elements are cheaper than purchasing commercially-produced products, but that isn’t always the case! Crafting supplies can really add up, so pay attention to what you’re spending to make sure it’s worth it.
And don’t discount the value of your time! There’s a lot to do before a wedding. If you’re committing a lot of your time to crafting projects, you might have trouble squeezing in everything else you need and want to do to prepare for the big day.
A wedding theme can pull everything together and give the day a cohesive feel. But some wedding themes can be pricier than others. For instance, if you go with a botanical theme, your flower budget could skyrocket.
Getting creative with your theme can help you shave a little more money off your budget. For instance, if you’re having your wedding on a beach, theming it around beachballs can be super affordable since they can take up a lot of space and make a big visual impact.
If you are only going to use something once, you might be able to save a lot of money by renting or borrowing instead of buying. For instance, if you have a friend who always decorates for Christmas, you might be able to borrow some strings of white lights to decorate your venue with. Do you want a designer dress for your big day? Consider renting from a service. Not only can it save you money, but you also won’t have the dress taking up closet space for the rest of your life.
Have you ever been to a wedding where the couple found a clever way to save money? Share the best money-saving wedding hacks you’ve seen in the comments section below!
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Another way to save on the Bridal dress and Bridesmaid dresses is if the wedding is near school graduation time, you can find a great white formal to pass as a wedding dress. Also colored formals for the bridemaids.
Love that idea, Susan!