Seeing the final cost of your dream wedding can be overwhelming. If you’re thinking about ways to save, you’ve probably already heard the usual tips, such as reducing your guest list or getting married on a weekday.
The good news is that there are lots of little tweaks you can make that’ll help you save more than you think. Explore six easy but powerful changes to your plan.
Choose a Venue With Natural Beauty
Centerpieces, floral arches and aisle decor add character to your wedding venue. However, the costs can quickly add up. Wedding experts say decor may account for 10%-45% of a couple’s budget due to extra costs for weekend deliveries. Choosing a venue with built-in, breathtaking backdrops can reduce the need for decor.
Botanical gardens have lush greenery and vibrant flowers. A beach venue offers calming views of the sea and the sky. Forests provide a rustic and intimate feel. The possibilities are endless, so choose a setting that feels right for you and your partner.
Rethink Your Floral Strategy
Couples spend an average of $2,700 on a florist. This can even go higher if you want nonseasonal blooms for your wedding. This strategy doesn’t require you to give up your dream florals, but place them on the most photographed areas — your bridal bouquet, the ceremony altar and the head table. Flowers with high visual volume, like peonies and sunflowers, create a fuller look.
Move your flowers from the ceremony aisle and altar to the reception. For instance, you may use bridesmaids’ bouquets to decorate the guest book station. Transform arch florals as a backdrop for your head table. Add string lights and last-name neon lights to make it fit your reception.
Check Local Discount Racks
A wedding dress carries a sentimental value. Some dream of working with a designer, while others want to repurpose their mother’s dress. If you’re not super picky but still want to look stunning, visit local shops that offer affordable, off-the-rack options. You might be surprised to find gorgeous dresses priced from $100 to $500. That way, you can save cash for other parts of your big day that matter most to you.
If you want a reception dress, thrift shops and vintage boutiques are worth a look. You might also have relatives or friends willing to lend or sell theirs for a better price than buying new. When it comes from someone you know, you can feel confident it’s been well cared for.
Get Smart About Your Stationery
While formal invitations are still popular, digital save-the-dates are eco-friendly and cost-effective. An average wedding generates the same amount of carbon dioxide as five individuals would in a year, and this strategy can help you do your part for the planet. A template from Etsy or Canva could save you hours on your invitation design. Simply replace the details and tweak the design elements.
If you still want to print some, use foldable invitations that combine the invite, RSVP and envelope into one piece. You can also send one invitation per couple or family, rather than one per person.
Borrow Accessories
Borrowing a loved one’s earrings or necklace perfectly embodies the “something borrowed” tradition. Talk to your mother, grandmother, aunt or even your future mother-in-law. A family heirloom, like a pearl necklace, can be a beautiful and meaningful addition to your look. You can also ask recently married friends if they would be willing to lend an accessory they wore, like a bracelet.
Your groom can also borrow his accessories from family members and friends. Cufflinks made of mother-of-pearl or crystal are ideal for dressy occasions, such as your wedding. You and your partner don’t need to wear various jewelry. One stunning statement piece is enough.
Be Strategic With Food and Drink Options
Your food and drink options offer some of the biggest opportunities for subtle savings. For instance, instead of having a full open bar all night, suggest keeping it only during the cocktail hour and after dinner. Offer crowd-pleasing appetizers that don’t feature many premium ingredients, like fruit platters, bruschetta and mini quiches.
Another strategy is choosing a venue that allows you to bring your alcohol bottles. Buy in bulk from a warehouse store instead of paying per-person bar package prices. Then, hire a licensed bartender to serve the drinks.
Smart Savings for Your Big Day
Saving money on your wedding is about making choices that feel right to you, not about missing out. Try out some strategies to help you save and still keep your day unforgettable. Just pick the ones that feel right and focus your budget on what’s truly important to you.
This is a guest post.
