Ways to Save Money While Planning Your Wedding

A budget is integral to planning a wedding. However, it’s only once you start selecting venues and vendors that you realize just how expensive a wedding can get. The good news is there are ways to save on wedding costs, ensuring you can stick to your budget and avoid unnecessary debt.

I’ve put together a few tips that will help you plan your dream wedding at a cost that works for you.

ProTip! When you are searching for vendors and asking your community for their suggestions, avoid using vague language like “won’t break the bank” or “doesn’t cost an arm and a leg”. Everyone’s idea of what is affordable is different so your best plan is to just say what your budget is so that vendors who can and will work with you can chime in and you won’t be bombarded with messages and comments from vendors well out of your budget. 

ProTip! Do some research first to find out what vendors actually cost so you can create a realistic budget. Don’t make up numbers based on what you think services and physical products are worth. Many couples are shocked to find that vendors are valued for their experience, expertise, skills, ability to work under pressure, and the commitment to show up at your wedding rather than an hourly rate just for your wedding day.

Consider an Off-Peak Wedding

Many venues and vendors drop their cost during off-peak periods, so you may want to consider an off-peak date for your big day. Weddings are less popular in winter, so decide if you could see yourself getting hitched during the colder months. Another option is to have your wedding on a weekday, which generally also results in lower venue and vendor costs.

Get Rid of the Nice-to-Haves

When planning a wedding, there is always going to be a list of must-haves and a list of things you would like to have. If you’re finding that you’re quickly reaching your budget limits, it’s time to start getting rid of those nice-to-haves. Even though this isn’t ideal, try and bring your focus back to the significance of the day and what truly matters.

One Entrée is Enough

You might love the idea of providing your guests with a selection of entrees, but one really is enough. Food costs can skyrocket really quickly, so if you want to stick to your budget, rather choose one delicious entrée instead of a few. The only time you need to consider more than one is if some of your guests have food allergies or are vegetarian.

Opt for In-Season Flowers

It can be tricky to decide on flowers for your big day, but if you’re on a tight budget, rather stick to blooms that are in season all year round. This includes lilies, roses, baby’s breath, greenery, gardenias, and carnations. This might also mean that you’ll need to be open to new wedding décor ideas and styles.

Keep the Guest List Small

You may already have a much smaller guest list due to the pandemic, but if your budget seems to be shrinking at a rapid pace, you may want to cut down even further. It’s not ideal to have to cut guests out of your wedding, but if it means staying out of debt, it’s well worth it.

Limit the Bar

Alcohol can be one of the biggest wedding expenses, so keep an eye on how generous your bar tab is. For couples on a budget, why not stick to one signature cocktail as well as some wine and beer. This way, your guests can still enjoy alcohol and your budget remains in place.

When it comes to planning a wedding, try not to sweat the small stuff. It is possible to have a beautiful wedding, regardless of how big (or small) your budget is. 

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