We know that weddings can get expensive fast. There are a lot of costs that are planned for and some that aren’t so planned for. Either way, I’ve put together a list of common costs for a wedding that can be cut to save you a little cash. I mean, aren’t you more excited about your life together than about spending a ton of money on one day?? Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about the wedding. I think it’s a great time to celebrate your love for your each other with your closest friends and family. It just shouldn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. You want your big day to be as stress-free as possible!
Here’s the breakdown:
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Venue
Getting married on a Friday or Sunday evening instead of a Saturday is going to cut overall costs. This saves you cash on the venue fee, but also helps with the cost of vendors as well. Most vendors get booked quickly on Saturdays, so they’re usually looking to book other days at a discounted price.
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Ceremony & Reception
Having your wedding ceremony and reception at the same venue lowers your costs by not having to pay two different places for rentals. It also cuts down on guests having to find transportation and getting the entire wedding party there quickly enough without making everyone wait.
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Rent a Home
If you’re looking to really save some money on the location of your wedding, using Airbnb or VRBO to find a home to rent could be the solution. This way, you still get your outside venue, along with a kitchen, a place to get ready, and even a place for you and your family to stay the night before.
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Keep It Simple
Another area to save money is the rehearsal dinner. Keeping it simple is a great way to get costs down. You can have a barbecue or have family members make dinner for your wedding party and family. I think you can have a fun party and still make this classy. You could add lawn games if it’s outside or even have karaoke set up. Maybe you’ll even get to hear your mom belt some Journey…or maybe you’ll be up there and it’ll be a duet!
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Cut Your Floral Cost
Whether they’re fresh or fake, flowers are a central part of the display at any wedding. Did you know that you can order your flowers from a local grocery store? They tend to work with your budget better than most florists. Sam’s Club is one example of a one-stop shop for flowers. If you’re really feeling inspired, you can also make your own bouquet! It’s a lot easier than you think and it will create more space in your budget for other important things for your big day.
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Waiting Game
As a wedding guest yourself, I’m sure you can empathize with your guests when they can only think about food right after the ceremony. Been there, right? Having appetizers for your guests to munch on while they wait for the wedding party is a win-win. They get some food in their bellies and you don’t have to feel rushed when taking your pictures. We all know that you don’t always get the money shot on the first try.
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Have Your Cake & Eat It Too
When you think about weddings, cake always comes to mind. Cake is another staple of any wedding reception! It’s also something to save on. Having a huge, decorated wedding cake is great in theory, but is it practical? You can have a beautiful smaller 6-inch cake that’s perfect for the cutting tradition. Then, you can have large sheet cakes in the kitchen cut and ready to serve your guests.
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Wine & Dine
Feeding your guests is an important cost for your reception. Serving a plated dinner is not always the most cost-efficient way to do that. One way to keep your guests full and happy is to have a buffet of simple foods. I think most guests will appreciate this option too, because they can go back for seconds—and if you’re serving alcohol, it’ll hopefully help them avoid getting too drunk. 😉 Speaking of, having an open bar is another high cost for your wedding and for some, it’s necessary for wanting to keep their guests entertained. Keeping it limited to wine and beer will help with the extra costs of liquor and having a certified bartender. You can even suggest friends bringing wine and beer to your shower as a gift for the wedding.
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Sharing is Caring
Did you know that you can share your rentals with another bride? When you rent items such as tents, a dance floor, tables, and chairs, it gets pricey. If your wedding is on a weekend, most rental companies don’t come to pick up rentals until Monday. That means you and another bride getting married that same weekend can share the cost of the rentals. That cuts your costs in half!
I hope that you’re encouraged in your wedding planning, and my hope is that these money-saving tips help lessen the stress of budgeting. Don’t forget that this is a happy time and everything will come together!
We have created an amazing tool to help you plan your big day and build your relationship in the process. Check out our wedding planner here.
We wanna hear from you…Tell us about your wedding money saving tips in the comments below!
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