Wedding Tips That Can Save You a Fortune

Planning a wedding on a budget doesn't mean you have to compromise on the beauty or significance of your special day. Here are 50 creative and practical ideas to help you save money on your wedding:

Venue and Date

1. **Get married off-season** to avoid peak prices.

2. **Choose a weekday** for your wedding as venues often charge less.

3. **Have the wedding in one location, getting ready, ceremony, and reception. This will reduce the hours needed for your photo & video team and may save on additional transportation and running late issues due to traffic & weather conditions.

4. **Some venues allow you to bring your own alcohol which you can buy in bulk and place on the tables for the guests to enjoy.

5. **Limit your guest list** to reduce venue and catering costs. If your guest count is 20-50, many times you can rent a Villa or mansion to host your event. The venue cost will be cheaper but you will have additional rental costs. Talk with your planner if this is an option and they can do a price comparison.

Invitations and Stationery

6. **Go digital** with your invitations to save on printing and postage.

7. **Design your own invitations** using free graphic design tools.

8. **Use postcards for RSVPs** to reduce postage costs for return envelopes.

9. **Print at home** if you prefer physical invitations. You can use an online service to design and print the invitations that specialize in wedding invites.

Decor

10. **Use more greenery and fewer flowers** for decor.

11. **Shop around for dance floors even if the venue can supply them.

12. **Hire a wedding planner. Even if the planner is 5-10k, they can negotiate on your behalf and have deals with their vendors. They can easily pay for the their services in discounts from vendors. $1k savings from each vendor x 10 vendors pays for their service alone.

13. **Use candles** to add a romantic vibe at a lower cost than flowers.

14. **Repurpose ceremony decorations** for the reception.

15. **Choose a naturally beautiful venue** to minimize the need for additional decor. Many venues boast lush gardens for outdoor receptions which can improve the overall asthetic.

Flowers

16. **Opt for in-season flowers** to cut costs.

17. **Make your own bouquets** and boutonnieres.

18. **Use single-stem flowers** or simple arrangements for centerpieces, then purchase the vases from Alibaba or AliExpress.

19. **Buy wholesale flowers** and arrange them yourself.

Food and Drink

20. **Have a buffet or family-style meal** instead of a plated dinner. Many Halls in Glendale serve courses family style. There are little rental expenses and the food is impressive.

21. **Limit the menu options** to reduce catering costs.

22. **Opt for a cocktail reception** with appetizers instead of a full meal. This usually works for smaller weddings that end prior to 6pm.

23. **Skip the caterer** and order from your favorite restaurant.

24. **Host a potluck-style meal** if your venue allows.

25. **Serve beer, wine, and a signature cocktail** instead of a full bar.

Cake and Desserts

26. **Order a small display cake or rent an artificial cake that looks stunning** and supplement it with a larger sheet cake.

27. **Hors d'oeuvres can add-up. Many time $9 per item with a 6 min per person can add-up. Consider buffet styled cocktail hour food.

28. **Opt for cupcakes or a dessert bar** instead of a traditional wedding cake.

29. **Use fresh flowers** instead of elaborate cake decorations.

Attire

30. **Consider looking at a designer dress pre-owned or trunk sale. We had a bride that purchased a $15,000 Beta gown that was in perfect condition for $7k then sold it for 9k after the wedding. Yes, she made $2k on her wedding dress. There may be alterations that have to be done so something to consider.

31. **Choose less formal attire** which tends to be less expensive.

32. **Do your own makeup** or have a skilled friend help.

33. **Skip the veil** or make your own.

Photography and Music

34. **Do not include products in your photography collection. They are an additional expense and you can always order them after the wedding with gift money you receive. You can also just pay for the RAW video with no edit, then order the edit after the wedding with gift funds.

35. **Create a playlist and use your own sound system** for music.

36. **Go with a DJ your planner recommends. DJ’s a really make a difference and you need to someone that can really build the party. Your planner will have plenty of good contacts that fit your budget.

Favors and Extras

37. **Skip favors** for your guests. They are not expecting a gift and when you are purchasing 100 - 150 items, they add up.

38. **Forget costly extras** like photo booths or fireworks.

39. **Use digital apps** for planning instead of hiring a planner. Keep in mind, this is far more work and may not save you money in the long run if your planner can save you thousands in discounts from their list of contacts. They can also help cut costs.

Rings and Invitations

40. **Choose simpler bands** which are often less expensive.

41. **Engrave your wedding bands** at a later anniversary as a special gift to each other.

Transportation

42. **Use your own vehicle** or borrow a luxury car from a friend instead of renting. This can save you $1250-$2500

43. **Limit the rental time for limousines** or special transport.

Accommodations

44. **Negotiate group rates for hotel rooms** if many guests are coming from out of town.

45. **Use Airbnb** for more affordable options for yourself and guests.

Ceremony Specifics

46. **Have a friend officiate** the ceremony to save on officiant fees. Officiants can run $500-2500 depending on the culture. A friend always brings a more intimate and humorous ceremony.

47. **Keep the ceremony simple** with minimal readings or performances that might increase costs.

Planning and Coordination

48. **Be your own wedding planner** by using checklists and timelines available online however keep in mind the right planner can negotiate on your behalf and save you thousands with their preferred contacts.

49. **Barter services with friends** — decorations, transportation, hair & make-up, music, etc.

50. **Plan well in advance** to spread costs and snag early booking discounts.

Implementing even a few of these strategies can help you maintain your budget without sacrificing the joy and beauty of your big day. Remember, the key to a memorable wedding isn't how much you spend, but the love and creativity you put into it!