Saving money on your wedding isn’t just a smart idea for your budget, but it is practical, too. There are many wedding “extras” that you don’t really need or even want, so it is helpful to know what they are before you buy them without even knowing the difference. If you want or need to cut costs, here’s how to save money on your wedding ceremony, reception, wedding flowers, favors, invitations, and more, all in one place. This blog post features one hundred of the best ways to save money on your wedding with clever alternatives including cutting your guest list, skipping wedding place cards, trimming costs on wedding invitation postage, how to save more by using postcards vs. traditional response cards, sending cheap save the dates, and more wedding “twists” you haven’t considered yet.

The best part of these money-saving tips: most of these are things your guests won’t even notice! And saving money on your wedding isn’t just about cutting costs or staying on a budget… it’s about having money to focus on the details that matter most to you to make your wedding as personalized as possible.

So, bookmark this blog post, pin it on Pinterest — whatever you have to do to keep it close-at-hand! — and read on for the most creative tips to save money on weddings. Enjoy!

When it comes to your wedding, the things you should spend the most money on are things that matter most to you. But always make sure you have these two things: good food (and plenty of it) and good music. These are two things your guests will remember most.

Two wedding services you should NEVER skimp on are photography (a cell phone with filters does not a photographer make) and a disc jockey (don’t replace a real DJ with a friend holding an iPod). The DJ does WAY more than just hit “play”: they are the master of ceremonies and keeps the entire party flowing! They also make announcements and keeps things running on schedule.

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO TIP YOUR VENDORS

Never skimp on giving tips to your service vendors, provided they have done a good job.

Now that you know where NOT to save money on your wedding, here are the ways you CAN save money on a wedding beginning with one of the easiest places to cut costs across the board: cutting your guest list.

1. Trim your guest list.

Wondering how to save money on a big wedding? That’s easy: trim your guest list. The greater the number of guests invited equals more favors, place settings, dinners, invitations, etc. Read: How to Cut Your Wedding Guest List WITHOUT Guilt.

You can also use our FREE guest list flow chart.

2. Get married on any day except Saturday.

Another easy way to save money on a wedding? Get married on a Friday or a Sunday. Saturdays are the most expensive days of the week to get married. Venues charge more because they can; Saturday is the most popular wedding day of the week. Guests secretly love Friday weddings, it’s like an extra extension of the weekend. As far as off-season and off-date goes, I got married on a Friday IN December. BOOM!

3. Consider a non-traditional wedding venue.

To save money on your wedding venue or upcharges, you can consider getting married at someplace other than a traditional banquet hall. Keep in mind, though, to factor in additional costs such as renting tables, chairs, decorations, utensils, glassware, and your caterer, just to name a few. To save money on wedding rentals, you rent online from Rent My Wedding, which offers a lot of rental options and free shipping both ways. Look up places locally for things like chairs and tables; table linens like these can be purchased online and you can re-sell them after your wedding or rent to couples you know getting married.

4. Have a longer engagement.

By adding more months to your timeline, it gives you more buying power to scope out deals, get discounts for early bookings, and more. Plus, you can take advantage of things like Black Friday wedding deals, discounts by wedding retailers during the year, and more. For instance, if you want to know how to save money on wedding favors, simply wait until the shop is having a sale; then, assuming there is free shipping for large bulk orders, buy at that time. You’ll get a hefty discount instead of buying them in the months or weeks leading up to your wedding (and worrying about the favors reaching you on time!)

5. Get married off-peak season.

Peak season is expensive. Even if you choose the first weekend AFTER peak season, you’ll still enjoy great weather at a lower cost. Many couples agree that you can save money easily on your wedding simply by getting married in a month that is not as popular, such as November, December, January, or February. Hey, I had a December wedding and it was awesome. :) And yes, we did save money on it versus getting married in June, but that’s not why we picked it. We didn’t want to wait that long, ha!

6. Seat more guests at larger tables.

Want to save money on wedding centerpieces? It’s simple: seat guests at longer or larger tables: you’ll seat more guests and require less centerpieces at each one.

7. Fit your ceremony program on one page.

And find one in a print-for-you or even a printable format so you can print at home. Just buy the design file! This one is by White and Kraft. ↓

8. Hire a DJ instead of a band.

One of the biggest costs for a wedding is a live band. To save money on a wedding band, hire a disc jockey instead. If you don’t want to compromise and your heart is set on having a band at your wedding, then decide to hire one anyway and cut costs elsewhere.

9. Opt for less expensive favors.

Favors are one of my favorite details (especially these. You could theoretically skip them if you really need to save money on your budget. However, favors don’t have to be expensive. For instance, favor bags like these from Mavora Art and Design are adorable and require no customization. This means you don’t have to pay for a custom design; just buy and fill. It couldn’t be any easier! Plus, who doesn’t love pretzels? Yum. Here’s how to make pretzel favors.

10. Buy your wedding dress on Etsy.

Want to save money on your wedding dress? Buy on Etsy! You may be surprised at what kinds of wedding dresses you can buy on Etsy — like any of these wedding dresses under $800, for instance, or these boho wedding dresses under $200 (yes, really!) In some cases, you can save money on your wedding dress online because the designer is having a sample sale, is offering a new collection and needs to discount last year’s styles (who will know the difference? nobody, I promise), or is simply offering a sale to attract new customers.

The added benefit? Besides the awesomeness of ordering a dress directly from its maker, you will be saving money on your wedding dress AND getting a custom dress made exactly as you want it, rather than limiting your choice to what is on the rack. And you can save time, too: no traveling to and from bridal shops and making appointments. You can shop in a comfy robe while sipping on coffee! It doesn’t get much better than that.

A few tips: find your own seamstress, as a perfect fit with any wedding gown is essential. And do your homework first: read reviews from past buyers before you buy. Reviews are a great way to gauge whether the shop is trustworthy (don’t worry, many of them are). Read: 7 Tips for Buying a Wedding Dress Online.

11. Save money on your wedding at an outdoor park or backyard.

If you want to save money on your wedding venue, planning a backyard wedding or park wedding is one option. You’ll probably need a permit and to pay a small rental fee, but it’s a beautifully landscaped area that makes for a beautiful ceremony backdrop. And you can add your own personal touches — like a custom ceremony arch or carved arbor — to make it feel like your own space. This arch is by Urban Home Gallery.

12. Buy your wedding veil online.

Looking for ways to save money on your wedding veil? Buy it online! Consult our wedding veil guide for tips. Sometimes, if you buy online from the same designer as your wedding gown (some designers offer both, and will know what style veil looks best with your wedding dress), you can cut costs, especially on shipping. You can also search for budget wedding veils online, check out The Marketplace here at Emmaline Bride, or look on Etsy. One example of a place to buy inexpensive wedding veils is Veils of Art, whose collection contains styles for every bride in every price range. You’ll also save money on veils at Bridals4Less.

To top it off, many brides will save money on their wedding veil simply buying online versus in a retail space, since there is less overhead so the costs are less. And you’re not as limited to what is available in-store, so you might be able to get less expensive options.

13. Send postcard style response cards with your invitations.

Save money on your wedding invitations with this little-known tip: send postcard RSVP cards INSTEAD of traditional response cards! You’ll save on postage (postcard stamps cost less) plus eliminate the cost of an extra envelope for each response card.

And for some reason, guests seem to RSVP sooner!

14. Send postcard-style save the dates.

You’ll save money on postage with a postcard style save the date card. And not everyone needs to receive a save the date. If you want to save money on your wedding by skimping on save the date cards, just send a handful to your immediate family members and close friends. And choose a postcard style to save even more! These are by Kaydi Bishop.

Wondering if save the date cards necessary? They’re something you don’t HAVE TO do, so you can skip them altogether if you need room in your budget. If you are planning to save money on your wedding by forgoing save the date cards, be sure to read: When to Send Invitations (If Skipping Save the Dates) for helpful info.

15. Choose escort cards that double as favors.

Save money on your wedding extras by using things that serve two purposes, like escort cards that also go home as wedding favors for guests. These are by Original Animal Magnet.

16. Save money on menus that also work as thank you cards for guests.

You can say thank you to guests for coming to your wedding and show them what’s on the menu with these thank you menus, as one example.

17. Display your menu on your table numbers.

Who needs table numbers AND wedding menus when you can have this 2-in-1 option? Save money on a wedding by using this clever wine bottle table number.

18. Save money on a wedding seating chart vs. individual escort cards.

A seating chart shows your guests where to be seated. Since one seating chart is displayed for all to see, rather than individual escort cards written out, alphabetized, and displayed for guests, it requires less time, takes up a small amount of space at your wedding venue, and will save money on your wedding seating. Plus, a seating chart means less waste!

19. Assign a table to guests and skip the place cards.

You can save money on your wedding by skipping place cards altogether. Here’s a little-known secret: you don’t really need place cards and escort cards at your wedding. If you have to choose just one to stay on your wedding budget, choose escort cards or a seating chart. Guests NEED to know what table to be seated at; they do NOT need to know which seat at the table to be seated. That part is optional and they may choose any seat at that particular table. This will definitely save you money on wedding place cards.

20. Choose a one or two tiered cake.

You can buy a very small wedding cake for the actual cake cutting, then serve larger sheet cake in back and no one will know the difference. Or, try the easiest way to save money on your wedding cake: GO FAKE! These fake wedding cakes actually look real; display one at your wedding, then hide a sheet cake in back to serve! Sneaky. And inexpensive. Who doesn’t like cake, no matter how it is served?! Plus, you CAN include a slice or two as part of the fake cake design, so you can still do the cake cutting for real. :)

This fake cake is one example by SimplySweetShopNOLA:

21. Choose a succulent bouquet.

To save money on a wedding bouquet, opt for something like succulents instead. It is cheaper than flowers and can be planted after the wedding! Alternative wedding bouquets are another brilliant way to save money on your wedding flowers.

22. Forego maps inside invitations.

For a little money savings on weddings, skip invitation maps altogether! With GPS so readily available, you really just need to provide an address. Guests can take it from there. We do recommend you include directions and map information on your wedding website though. Speaking of, do you have a wedding website yet? You can get one for free (that actually looks beautiful, too) here.

23. Offer beer and wine.

You can save money on your wedding bar by offering limited options, like only beer and wine instead of mixed drinks. Or cut costs on your wedding drinks even further by offering a signature drink. It will cut costs on an entire full-scale bar with liquor included.

24. Make your own inexpensive DIY wedding favors.

One of the easy ways to save money on your wedding is by offering less expensive favors. You can shop wedding favors under $5 for helpful options. Or spend less of your wedding budget by making your own DIY favors. For example, you can get a s’more love tag kit and assemble your own for a fraction of what you would pay for an entire set from Crossvine Designs.

Also… here are some of the best edible favors ever invented. These coffee favors are pretty great, too.

25. Borrow a veil.

You need something old, new, borrowed, and blue (and a sixpence in your shoe) anyway — why not borrow a veil from your mom, grandmother, or friend? I wore my mother’s veil and it was amazing. That is one of the easy ways to save money on your wedding veil: simply borrowing one!

26. Buy shoes you’ll actually wear again.

OK, listen up! If you want to save your wedding budget, avoid these wedding shoe mistakes and buy the most comfortable wedding shoes ever or wedding flats for the bride that you’ll actually wear again. You won’t regret it, I promise.

You can even wear shoes that are built like slippers (it feels like walking on a cloud). No one will know you’re secretly wearing slippers. ;)

27. Buy affordable (yet awesome) gifts for bridesmaids + groomsmen.

One BIG way to save money on a wedding? Buy less expensive — yet, totally awesome — bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts. Shop our guide for bridesmaid gifts and groomsmen gifts: both prove that quality wedding party gifts don’t need to cost an arm and a leg. And keep in mind that a gift is supposed to be a gesture of your thanks and appreciation — it’s not about how much it costs.

28. Consider a non-diamond engagement ring.

You’d be surprised how amazing moissanite really is!

You’ll also love these raw stone engagement rings, and one of our most popular posts to date is this round-up of 40 Most Beautiful Engagement Rings on Etsy. THEY ARE AMAZING!

29. Reserve a block of rooms at the hotel to save money.

One way to save money on a destination wedding is by reserving a block of hotel rooms. You’ll sometimes get a discount as the newlyweds, while your guests will get a discounted rate for booking at that particular hotel. Plus, most guests will be all heading back to the same hotel, which means less transportation costs. It’s really a win-win-win.

30. Hire a wedding planner.

You may think it is counter-intuitive to save money by hiring another person to help. However, you can sometimes save money on your wedding by hiring a professional wedding coordinator who knows how to make the most of your budget and can find creative ways to cut costs.

31. Skip fancy cake fillings.

You don’t need ’em.

32. Skip appetizers.

People will be filling up on dinner, anyway! You can offer small snacks at the bar, though. However, you will not want to skip appetizers if you plan to have a large break between the ceremony and dinner, where guests will be waiting on you (to take photos, change into a reception dress, bustle your gown, touch up your makeup, etc.) People get hungry, then hangry. ;)

33. Choose less pricey flowers in your bouquet.

Want to save money on your wedding flowers? Choose flowers that are in-season, less in-demand, and perhaps more “generic”. Roses are a beautiful alternative to peonies, which are in season for only a short window of time, as one example.

34. Have bridesmaids carry clutches instead of bouquets.

Save money on your wedding bouquets by skipping bridesmaid flowers altogether! Instead, give bridesmaids clutches to carry which double as their bridal party gifts. These beauties are by Eclu.

35. Skip fresh flower boutonnieres.

You can save more money on wedding flowers by skipping the flower boutonnieres and opting for a handmade version instead. See 21 Unique Alternative Boutonniere Ideas for inspiration. They are so much cheaper; in addition to saving money on your wedding flowers, they require no refrigeration, won’t wilt, won’t cause allergies, and they can be ordered very far in advance and stored until the wedding day. Plus, they last forever.

You can also use these boutonniere pocket inserts instead. No pinning! They’re faux, so they last forever.

36. Re-use decorations from the ceremony at the reception.

One secret way that most couples save money on a wedding is by using the same decorations from the ceremony carried over to the reception.

For instance, lanterns like these along the aisle can be re-used as part of your centerpiece design; floral arrangements on your altar can be used on your cake table and guest book table, etc.

37. Consider succulents for centerpieces and favors.

Succulents are modern, low-maintenance, and affordable. Tip: Buy succulents in bulk to save a ton of money. Read: 35 Best Ideas for Succulents in Weddings. These centerpieces are by Tobie Anne.

38. Pick a guest book alternative that doubles as decoration.

To save on your wedding guest book, choose one that can be used as a decorative piece at your wedding — and displayed at home after the big day!

A monogram letter, for instance, is inexpensive and can be displayed at home after the big day. This one is by Seaside Sass.

That is one of the easy tips to save money on your wedding and money well spent, we say!

39. Choose non-floral centerpieces you can re-use later.

Instead of floral centerpieces (that will wilt and be tossed away), save money on your wedding flowers by purchasing faux floral centerpieces. You can give them away to family and friends after the wedding and keep one for yourself. These gorgeous centerpieces are one amazing choice by PineandPetalWeddings.

You’ll also love these amazing geometric candle holders and these rustic wood slices.

40. Pick simple tablecloths.

Add a table runner — like this gauze table runner — to add texture and a pop of color. It covers just the center of the table, so you’ll save money on your wedding table linens by only using runners versus full-size tablecloths. Plus, these are very in-style right now. By DecorWeddingGifts.

41. Skip the chair sashes.

If your wedding chairs are in decent shape, you can save money on wedding chair sashes by skipping them altogether. The same applies to chair covers. You don’t always need them, so it’s an easy way to save your wedding budget.

42. Choose flowers that are in-season.

Are the flowers you want in-season right now? Find out and save money by buying blooms that are readily available. Here’s a handy guide for flowers to know if they’re available during the time of your wedding.

43. Offer guests three entrees to choose from.

A simple way to save money on wedding food is by offering less entree choices. For instance, offer two or three instead of four or five entrees. Typically it’s beef, chicken, and a vegetarian option. You can get place cards to take the guesswork out of it from Tiffzippy.

44. Skip the dessert table.

You don’t really need an extra dessert table, so that is an easy way to save money on your wedding right there. The cake is plenty, especially after a huge dinner feast.

45. Buy your wedding invitations and other paper goods from the same place…

Save money on wedding invitations by purchasing your invites and stationery all at one time and from the same vendor. You’ll save on custom design fees, shipping charges, and sometimes you can even save money with a wedding bundle discount. You might even score free shipping since your order may be rather large. Plus, you’ll get everything at once which means less stress for you. See 50 Best Wedding Invitationsfor a round-up of beautiful choices. To save even more money on wedding invites, here are the 9 Best Places to Buy Cheap Wedding Invitations.

46. Use faux flowers.

Choose any bouquet from this list and you won’t regret it, promise! Plus, you can save it years after the wedding, which is more than you can say about a fresh flower bouquet that goes in the trash.

47. Use coupons when buying items from craft stores.

Don’t go to Michaels without a coupon — same goes for that 40% off Hobby Lobby deal on wedding stuff that comes around every two weeks or so. (Check their website before you go!) If you want to save money on a wedding, don’t pay full price at craft stores, period.

48. Make your own photo booth backdrop.

You can save money on a wedding photo booth by making your own backdrop and inviting couples to use their own cameras to capture images and share them on social media. Since guests already have the cameras, why not? Here’s how to do it!

49. Give bridesmaids a break on the dress.

Saving money for your bridesmaids is just as important as saving money for yourself! Choose a dress that isn’t too expensive — particularly a convertible dress or a dress they’ll wear again — and you’ll pretty much be a happy bride from A to Z.

P.S. ↓ These convertible dresses are only $37 right now. That’s an awesome deal. Other colors available. By DivineBridalShop.

50. Make your own signage.

We love wedding signage: you can get creative and make it yourself to save money on signs at your wedding.

51. Opt for a diamond alternative for your engagement ring.

In addition to a diamond alternative being conflict-free and more ethical, it is also more economical. Check out these 40 Best Engagement Rings on Etsy and 21 Alternative Wedding Bands for Men, along with 19 Most Beautiful Raw Stone Engagement Rings — Under $100.

52. Make large purchases from the same shop to save on shipping.

This is an easy way to save money on a wedding, but people often overlook it! Prepare all your purchases at one time from the same shop and you’ll save big on shipping costs.

53. Skip square invitations.

Square invitations are fun and different, but the postage costs more. Can you believe it? Save a little money here by using traditional wedding invitation sizes instead.

54. Choose buttercream or frosting instead of fondant on your cake.

Fondant costs more. Or, skip frosting altogether and choose a naked wedding cake. “Naked cakes” are essentially cakes without frosting. See 6 Jaw-Dropping Naked Wedding Cakes for inspiration.

55. Choose an inexpensive cake topper.

You can save money on a wedding topper by buying a less expensive one. Check out cheap options here.

56. Or skip a topper and use a single flower instead.

Want to skip a wedding cake topper altogether? You can! Buy a single flower for the cake instead: shop beautiful options here.

57. Opt for no limousine if you don’t really need it.

You can skip it altogether or rent a town car (many limousine services offer them, as well) for just the two of you at the end of the night. You’ll get romantic transport back to your hotel at a fraction of the cost.

58. Skip the fancy custom or vintage postage stamps.

You can ask for wedding-themed or flower stamps at the post office. They’ll look beautiful and won’t cost any extra. Always buy “Forever” stamps when you buy them since they always use the same amount of postage and won’t be affected by wedding stamp price increases. You can shop wedding postage stamps here.

59. Use a chalkboard sign in lieu of a ceremony program.

You can save money on a wedding program by skipping it and using a sign to display the order of events instead. It looks beautiful and wastes less paper. You can buy a wedding program sign like this one by TimelessAccessoryInc. (25% off for a limited time.)

60. Proofread everything twice before ordering.

One ridiculously easy tip for saving money on your wedding? PROOFREAD! Wedding invitation mistakes cost a lot of money because you end up re-ordering. Can you imagine having to order your invitations twice? Save money by giving everything a once over (and then have someone else do a second check, just to be sure).

61. Order thank you cards when you order invitations.

It’s a wedding money-saver and convenient, too. No need to order them after the honeymoon and pay for shipping a second time!

62. Bundled services to save money.

Some wedding vendors partner with other vendors to bundle services together. For instance, a DJ might know a photo booth operator and offer a discount to referrals he sends. In this way, you can get an affordable rate by booking them together.

63. Buy flowers wholesale and find a florist who can make simple (yet elegant) arrangements.

You can buy wholesale wedding flowers from Blooms By The Box that look AMAZING. Plus, they offer very detailed DIY videos to walk you through the process of how to make your own wedding bouquets, bridesmaid bouquets, centerpieces, and so much more. They’ll even tell you EXACTLY what to buy, how much you’ll need, how to keep your flowers looking fresh, when to buy them for peak freshness, and so much more. Shop here.

As another option, consider renting your flowers. Read: How to Rent Wedding Flowers the Easy, Stress-Free Way.

64. Use more greenery and less blooms.

True! Use more greenery to save money on your wedding flowers. Greenery like eucalyptus and lamb’s ear are very on-trend right now anyway, so why not?

65. Use candles instead of flowers in your centerpiece design.

Lanterns with candles instead make stunning and romantic centerpieces. They cost way less than flowers, so you’ll save money on your wedding centerpieces, too. These lanterns by GFTWoodcraft are a beautiful choice.

66. Plan a local wedding instead of a destination wedding.

This one is obvious, but you wouldn’t believe how much money you can save on your wedding by getting married locally versus traveling all over the place.

67. Do a one-night bachelorette or bachelor party.

Save money on wedding per-festivities and parties, like your bachelorette party, simply by planning a one night party instead of an entire week or weekend. And keep it local to save even more. Read: How to Plan an Awesome Beach Bachelorette Party (find one close to home), How to Plan the Perfect Wine Tasting Bachelorette Party, and How to Throw a Spa Bachelorette Party at Home for ideas + fun inspiration.

68. Choose a restaurant for your rehearsal dinner.

Instead of a full-scale banquet hall, you can save money on your wedding rehearsal dinner by choosing a local restaurant or bar instead. Or do a casual backyard bbq or host a small party at home.

69. Choose standard white table linens.

They often cost an extra $1 per guest, which really adds up. Classic white is just as functional — and often free. Plus, guests use them for a very small amount of time during the wedding and probably wouldn’t even notice them if they were a different color.

70. Order printable invitations (+ stationery) and print them yourself.

Printable invitations are all the rage. Read: The Best Places to Get Wedding Invitations Printed for the ultimate guide.

71. Toss fake petals instead of real ones.

Fake petals are SO inexpensive. And who’s going to know the difference?! Nobody, that’s who! You can get a bunch here for cheap. Read: Top 10 Petal Tossing Alternatives.

72. Serve champagne to the head table only.

Guests will most likely have a drink from the bar by the time toasts are given. So, they’ll simply toast with whatever is already in their hand! Great cost-saver.

You can get these amazing flutes by YayPersonalizedGifts.

73. Have invitations with laser printing instead of more expensive letterpress.

74. Choose groomsmen attire with a deal.

Many tuxedo rental places offer deals where the groom’s rental is free when you rent a certain number of tuxes. Be on the lookout – it’s an easy way to get his rental for zero dollars. You can save money on your wedding attire easily this way.

The best place – and most affordable – to rent or buy suits and tuxes is The Black Tux. It’s the only place I recommend and have used myself (well, my husband has). And I’ve used dozens of places throughout the years as a wedding planner. You rent online. It’s so easy (and cheaper than most).

75. Attend wedding shows to get deals on local services.

Plus, it’s fun. :)

76. Enter giveaways to win free wedding stuff.

Especially here at Emmaline Bride! ;) We offer giveaways every single week. Sometimes even several times a week! Subscribe for FREE so you won’t miss any!

77. Buy your wedding favors in bulk.

You’ll save money by buying your wedding favors all at once — supplies included, if you’re planning to make DIY wedding favors. Also, read: 50 Best Wedding Favor (Under $5) for inspo.

78. Use re-purposed items as decor — like vases, antique books, candle holders, photo frames, etc.

This is one of the easiest ways to save money on your wedding. Search out garage sales, estate sales, ask on Facebook for particular items people can lend you, etc.

79. Shop Black Friday deals.

Craft stores always have deals, and so do many shops on Etsy for Cyber Monday. We do a special feature every year on Black Friday and Cyber Monday with TONS of wedding discounts and deals. (Join the list so you don’t miss it this year!)

80. Choose a ceremony venue and/or reception venue that requires little decoration.

Go on, let Mother Nature do the decorating for you. Read: How to Plan a Wedding in the Woods and check out these 16 Best Ceremony Arches for Weddings.

81. Get married around the holidays and save on decorations.

Most halls decorate early for the holidays, so everything will look beautifully decorated without any extra money!

82. Buy your own wedding tent.

Planning an outdoor wedding? You can save money on your wedding tent by buying it yourself and reselling it later or renting it out to local couples. Here is the best place to buy it cheap.

83. Schedule your fitting close to your big day.

This ensures you won’t need to pay for any last-minute alterations for your dress since many places incur a rush fee on last-minute orders.

84. Use an in-house tailor or seamstress.

You’ll often get a discounted rate (or it will already be factored into the cost of your gown).

85. Hire your photographer for a specific amount of time.

Make a very detailed list of photographs you’d like to get and have them taken early. Then, book the photographer for a certain amount of time and have them all taken during that period. This saves you money since they charge by the hour. (As a side-note, don’t forget to set a place for them and your at dinner!)

86. Skip the late night snack.

If people are really hungry, they’ll make their own late-night run to Taco Bell post-reception. :) I don’t know how late-night snacks became a thing but it’s definitely one of the easiest ways to save money on your wedding by nixing it all together.

87. Use your own (pretty) penmanship instead of a calligrapher.

Places like Minted offer free return address printing and it looks gorgeous. My friend used it for her wedding and I received the invite in the mail. It looked just as beautiful as hand calligraphy! Plus, having elegant type on your invitations is one of the important wedding invitation etiquette rules.

88. Enlist a friend for ceremony music.

If you have a musician friend, and you like their music, ask them to be a part of your ceremony by playing the music.

89. Choose short centerpieces.

To save money on your wedding centerpieces, choose shorter arrangements. And to be honest, shorter centerpieces are better for conversation across the table!

90. Use in-house table numbers.

Most venues have table numbers you can use. Use them if you don’t have a specific table number preference. It will save you money.

91. Hire a videographer for a limited block of time.

Hire a videographer for just the ceremony or the ceremony and part of the reception (such as the first dance or toasts). Many will charge you by the hour, so if you need to save money but want a videographer, compromise by picking a specific time to capture.

92. Buy your wedding rings at the same time.

To save money on your wedding rings, order them at the same time and from the same jeweler, if possible. Some places offer discounts for more than one order — shipping is usually less expensive, too. See: 12 Rustic Wedding Rings for Brides, Modern Wedding Rings for Men, 21 Alternative Wedding Bands for Men, and 40 Best Handmade Wedding Bands for some serious inspiration.

93. Choose buffet style dining.

Many couples don’t know this, but you can save money on wedding buffets vs. family-style dinners.

94. Let bridesmaids wear any dress they want.

You can pick a certain color and let them buy any dress in that shade. They’ll love you for it, btw. Read: The Best Places to Buy Bridesmaid Dresses Online to see how easy this is to do, really!

95. Skip the aisle runner.

If you skip the aisle runner, you’ll save money on wedding ceremony costs, and you don’t really *need* it unless you really want one.

96. Opt for an adult-only reception.

If kids aren’t invited to your wedding, your guest list may be smaller, which will save you money on wedding costs as a whole.

97. Use a photo booth as entertainment and favors.

Have these available for guests to take home and display the pictures on their refrigerators.

P.S. Props are really inexpensive and add so much fun. In the giant list of Things Guests Really Love at Weddings, photo booths are a consistent YES. :)

98. Hire a friend who is an excellent baker to make your wedding cake.

This is true only if they are VERY good at what they do, are happy to help, and you should still pay them.

99. Use these “Please don’t take my drink, I’m dancing!” coasters.

With coasters like these, your guests won’t find their drinks disappearing (being bussed) while they are dancing. This means they won’t go refill as often, so you aren’t wasting any drinks. Smart idea!

100. Crowd-source for more (+ free!) wedding photos.

Now, this isn’t as a replacement to a wedding photographer: you should DEFINITELY hire a wedding pro. But this is as a fun bonus: use a program like this to collect all the photos your guests take and share it in a gallery. Guests will snap photos and upload them with a QR code, which means tons of extra, candid photos from your wedding — all in one place! Don’t forget the sign! You can get one from Words and Confetti.

And there you have it: the one hundred best ways to save money on your wedding! Which tip is your favorite? What did we miss? Add something to our list by posting a comment in the box below. We’d love to hear the creative and easy ways to save money on a wedding that you’ve seen or tried yourself!

Happy Planning!

xo
Emma

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