Planning a wedding on a budget doesn’t mean compromising on style or sentiment. There are plenty of creative ways to have a beautiful wedding while keeping costs in check. Here are some tips and ideas for saving money on your big day, especially when it comes to venues and other aspects:
Finding Affordable Wedding Venues
When it comes to venues, selecting a more budget-friendly option can make a significant difference. Hosting your wedding in a family member’s backyard or even your own home offers an intimate and personal experience at little to no cost. If you prefer public settings, consider parks that allow weddings for a minimal fee, however, you must make sure to get the proper permits to do so. Local community centres often offer rental spaces at lower rates than traditional wedding venues, however, if you are looking for a more unique touch consider libraries, museums, or art galleries. They only charge a fraction of the price of traditional venues.
Consider a Cheap Destination Wedding
Another cost-saving strategy is to book a destination wedding during the Off-Season: Choose a location that’s more affordable or go for an off-season wedding at a popular venue where prices might drop significantly. Similarly Church or Religious Venues may offer reduced rates if you’re a member of a congregation.
Save Money on Wedding Catering
Consider alternative dining options that can also fit the experience while being budget friendly. Instead of a traditional plated dinner, opting for a buffet or family-style meal can save on staffing costs and create a more relaxed atmosphere. For a trendy and affordable catering option, you could have a taco truck, BBQ, or even a pizza truck. If your wedding is more casual, a potluck-style reception can be a charming way for friends and family to contribute by bringing their favourite dishes to share. Additionally, when it comes to dessert, think outside the box by replacing an expensive wedding cake with cupcakes, brownies, or a dessert bar, complemented by a smaller cake for the ceremonial cutting.
Budget-Friendly Wedding Décor
Creating a beautiful wedding on a budget can be fulfilling. Start with DIY Décor. Create your own decorations. Pinterest and DIY blogs are full of ideas, from homemade centrepieces to DIY photo booths. You can even go a step further and rent your décor items like arches, candles, centrepieces, and even your wedding dress and suit.
Have simple floral arrangements. Choose in-season flowers, wildflowers, use greenery as fillers, or go for faux flowers that can look incredibly realistic and can be prepared in advance. Repurpose Ceremony Décor for Reception: Use the same flowers, arches, and other décor pieces at both your ceremony and reception to save money.
Affordable Wedding Attire
Look for bridal shops that hold sample sales, where you can find designer dresses at a fraction of the cost. Rent Tuxedos and Dresses, renting the groom’s tux and the bride’s dress can save a lot compared to buying.
You don’t have to go for a heavily beaded, expensive gown. Simple, elegant gowns can be much more affordable and equally stunning. You can always have a simple gown.
Consider Pre-Loved Gowns: Places like Bridal Reloved, Preloved Bridal Boutique, Still White and even Oxfam offer beautiful second-hand wedding gowns.
Save on Photography and Videography
To manage wedding photography costs effectively, consider hiring a new photographer, there are always many up-and-coming photographers who may offer great rates for their services while they build their portfolio. Additionally, you can limit hours, instead of having a photographer all day, hire them only for a few hours to capture key moments like the ceremony and first dance. Another fun method that could be used is DIY photo booths, set up a DIY photo booth with a camera and tripod, or just provide guests with disposable cameras for fun candid shots.
Affordable Wedding Invitations and Stationery
DIY Invitations: Design your own wedding invitations using websites like Canva or Etsy templates and print them at home. You can also limit paper items by skipping extra stationery like programs or menus. You can create a sign with important information instead.
- Digital Invitations: Skip the traditional paper invites altogether and send out digital invitations through platforms like Greenvelop, Sayi or Paperless Post.
Save on Music and Entertainment
One effective way to manage wedding entertainment costs is to create your own DIY playlist. Instead of hiring a DJ or band use spotify or another music service and have a trusted friend manage the music. If you still prefer live music, you can always hire local talent, consider hiring a local band or musician rather than a professional wedding band. Once again make sure you limit entertainment time, If hiring a DJ or band, cut down the performance time to a few hours to save on costs.
Smart Ways to Save on Wedding Favors
Edible Favors are a popular choice amongst guests, they love edible favours like mini cookies, chocolates, or even small jars of honey. They’re affordable and won’t go to waste.
Make something meaningful, like a handwritten note or DIY craft that represents you as a couple. DIY favours are always more heartfelt and would be recognised by couples on the day. If all of this is too much for you, the option to skip favours altogether is always there. Many couples opt to forgo favours entirely, and most guests won’t mind.
Other Cost-Saving Tips
The wedding is ultimately your choice, and you decide on the details. The easiest way to cut down costs is by keeping the guest list small. Fewer guests mean fewer meals, chairs, invitations, etc. You can also have a daytime wedding; lunchtime weddings or brunch weddings tend to be more affordable than evening events. Having the full bar can often be too much work and can really drain you of your budget, you can instead offer wine, beer, and a signature cocktail. You could even provide the alcohol yourself if the venue allows it.
Affordable Honeymoon Ideas
Instead of a lavish honeymoon, take a shorter trip right after the wedding, this can be your mini moon and later down the line you can plan a more elaborate vacation. You may already be collecting some travel points that are redeemable at the airline points to help cover travel expenses. For those who prefer to stay closer to home a staycation is another great option; book a honeymoon closer to home by staying in a nice local hotel or resort.
With careful planning and creativity, you can have a beautiful and meaningful wedding without breaking the bank.
Prioritize what’s most important to you, and you’ll find plenty of ways to save while still creating a day to remember!
