Weddings seem to get more expensive every year, with brides and grooms pulling out all the stops—and feeling the burn after the Honeymoon ends. Instead of digging yourself into debt for the big day, use these cost-cutting tips and still pull off the wedding of your dreams.
DIY Doesn’t Always Mean Cheap
While you might be inclined to try out the DIY feats you find on Pinterest, watch your spending on materials for these new projects. Unfortunately, sometimes the elegant items highlighted as “do it yourself” should also have the caveat “costs an arm and a leg.” While some DIY projects can save you tons, you have to be discerning about which you choose. Sometimes it’s easier on your wallet and your time to simply purchase premade items that you need for the ceremony or reception.
Use Your Network
Don’t outsource your wedding; that is to say, look into your social network to find the skills needed and use the talents of the people you know to make your big day go off without a hitch. Do you have a friend who always sports flawless makeup? Ask her if she would be interested in helping you get ready the morning of. Does your dad’s best friend own a restaurant? You might just cut yourself a sweet deal for some yummy wedding fare. Put out an all call on Facebook for any of your wedding essentials—you’ll save tons of money, and you’re likely to have friends and family who will love playing a part in your special day.
Sample Sales
Instead of dropping ludicrous amounts of money on a dress you’ll only wear one day, consider inexpensive wedding dress options. Perhaps you could tailor a relative’s dress (sentimental and practical), or maybe purchase an alternative outside of the wedding dress venue. You can also consider attending a dress sample sale, but take heed—many of these dresses may have wound up in this sale because of small tears, stains, and odors—and you can bet they’ll be tried on multiple times that day alone.
Keep the Menu Informal
There’s no wedding rule that states you have to serve filet mignon or salmon. Instead of spending a fortune on the “expected” formal wedding fare, do an “all you can eat” style buffet of cheaper food items—it’s surprisingly much less expensive and even more delicious. From mini burger sliders to decadent mac and cheese, it’s all about what tastes good, and your guests will remember your delicious downhome style long after they forget about the tired chicken or fish fare they are served at other weddings.
Borrowed Accessories
Don’t throw thousands of dollars into wedding outfit accessories, and focus on the “Something Borrowed” aspect of your big day instead. Borrow everything you can; from jewelry to accent your dress to the veil that is only worn for the ceremony, look to the women who came before you and peruse their wedding day offerings.
Take a Different Dessert Route
Raise your hand if you truly like the taste of wedding cake. No one? That’s what I figured. While gorgeous wedding cakes are a traditional part of the ceremonies, extravagant sweets can quickly wreak havoc on your wedding bill. Avoid buying a cake that you’ll end up throwing away and stick instead to a dessert bar. You can enlist family members to bake up several dozen cookies or treats each, purchase cute cupcakes, throw in some chocolate covered berries, and grab a personal sized wedding cake for the cutting ceremonies. I promise the dessert bar will be the most visited spot at your reception venue throughout the night.
Repurpose Your Flowers
If you’re strapped for cash, consider repurposing your flowers from ceremony to reception. Turn aisle decorations into centerpieces and reuse garland at the wedding party table. Another hint? Keep your flowers in season. The more exotic and hard to get at the particular time of the year, the more you can expect to pay.
Pare Down Your Guest List
Back in 2012, the average cost per wedding guest was $204. Now consider a 100-person wedding—it adds up quickly, right? While you may feel obligated to invite all of your mom’s coworkers or your dad’s golf buddies (never mind you haven’t met half of them) remember that this is your day and in most cases your wallet, meaning you should only have to invite the people you truly want to celebrate the occasion with.
Flexible Dates
Avoid planning your wedding for a Saturday night. This is the most popular option, meaning it’s also the most expensive. If you’re still wanting a weekend wedding to make it easier for visiting wedding guests, consider Friday night or Sunday afternoon. You’ll often save thousands on the venue and rental essentials simply for choosing a day before or after your original chosen date.
Photo courtesy of www.popsugar.com.
[…] There are many small details relating to your wedding that you can easily improvise. You don’t need to sweat the small stuff because it really doesn’t matter that much. Do you really think that anyone cares all that much about the colour of the napkins on the table? That kind of thing can be organised quickly and easily. You can also create some handmade decorations to make the wedding reception area look great. Get your friends and family involved to keep the costs low! […]