In this post, we share 10 ways to decrease wedding costs. There is almost always a set amount a couple is able to spend or the wedding causes them to accrue debt. Staying in budget can be difficult to do. However, it is possible! Couples don’t have to enter marriage with payments for the wedding looming over their heads.

There are many ways to achieve the beautiful event you want and keep your budget on track. Here are some of the most useful ones we’ve found:

 

1. Hire a wedding planner.

Hiring a planner is increasingly necessary these days. Besides helping you with the myriad details attending a modern wedding and relieving stress, wedding planners have a lot of connections. They can often point you to good deals on your purchases. Vendor referrals may lead to discounts. Wedding planners can also advise you on the best way to focus your resources on the aspects of your wedding that are most important to you. In addition, if hired on early enough, a wedding planner’s assistance with the timeline can help you avoid finding yourself in a situation where you spend extra money because you are down to the wire.

2. Go to bridal shows and open houses.

This is a good place to become acquainted with vendors in your area. Many of the vendors offer discounts for their services if you engage them within a certain time frame of the show. You will want to have certain aspects of your wedding, such as the date, budget, and level of formality, settled before you go so that you have the ability to take advantage of the opportunities the show offers.

3. Work out package deals with vendors.

If vendors offer multiple services you need, see if you can negotiate a package deal that includes everything you want. Since the vendor is gaining more business for the same evening, you may be able to score a price that is much better than contracting separately with several businesses.

4. Choose a venue that includes many of the rentals you will need.

Some examples of these are tables, chairs, and linen. If the venue includes them in their pricing, it can be much more cost effective than choosing them separately from a rental company. However, most venue have simple black or white linens so if you want specialty options, you’ll probably need to get those elsewhere. Going with a venue that has most of your rentals will make planning easier for you AND decrease wedding costs. Double win!

5. If you give favors at your wedding, choose them wisely.

It’s sad to say, but a majority of favors are taken home (and sometimes not) and sit collecting dust or are thrown away. Why spend money on a gift that is not meaningful? Find something that will get your guests interacting at the wedding and give them a memento at the same time. A popular option is a photo booth.

6. When choosing florals, opt for in-season blooms.

They are often significantly less in price than out of season specialty flowers. Your florist may also be able to suggest some pretty, inexpensive fillers. This one change alone will really decrease wedding costs in purchasing florals.

7. Look for bridesmaid dresses in department stores.

This is even better to do during off-seasons when the dresses are marked down. If you are feeling especially brave, look online. There are some unique dresses for excellent prices. Simply make sure to confirm they are returnable in case they don’t fit and order extra early.

 8. Hold the wedding during the week.

We know this is not for everyone, but many vendors will reduce their rates to book a day that is not prime time. Be aware that Fridays and Sundays used to be booked at lower prices, but these days are quickly being considered as normal wedding days. Look to other days of the week, like Wednesday, to decrease wedding costs by securing your vendors at special rates.

 9. Get married in the afternoon and provide hors d’oeuvres at the reception.

The reception time is a big indicator of the level of formality of a wedding. It also determines what guests should expect regarding food. If the reception starts between 5:30-8:00 PM, guests will anticipate being served dinner. However, if it begins earlier than this, guests will know that refreshments will be light. Along with serving light refreshments, limiting your guest count is one of the best ways to decrease wedding costs. Check out this post by The Knot for an average per guest cost.

 10. If serving alcohol, make sure unopened bottles can be returned.

Many times, if you buy bottles of wine or cases of beer, you can return them to the store if they are unopened. If the venue is providing the alcohol, ask them what their policy is and try to negotiate returning the excess.

 

     Best of planning to you! Follow our blog or social media channels for more wedding planning tips and real wedding inspiration.

Always,

The Wedding Ladies

Cheryl and Kate