Note: This is not my work. Credit goes to “kathanknows” at ehow.com
Nearly every engaged couple has a picture of their “dream wedding” in mind. But trying to create it is very expensive and NOT necessary. The size and drama of the wedding does not equal the happiness a marriage will have.
As a wedding coordinator, I have found a few ways to save money onweddings. You really can have a wedding for under $5,000 and not serve your guests pizza at the reception. But you must have a spending plan (some people use that ugly word, “budget”)! Creating a spending plan together and sticking to it is a great exercise for an engaged couple and is the perfect preparation for your marriage.
The bonus is you get to actually keep the money you get in gifts from your guests!
Step 1
It starts with the guest list. The NUMBER ONE way to save money is to have fewer guests. If you’re committed to a smaller wedding, you can save big bucks on your wedding overall and splurge on some of the things that will really make your day memorable.
Step 2
You don’t need 12 bridesmaids. A large bridal party drives up costs of flowers, wedding party gifts, and rehearsal dinner costs. Ask your friends to participate in another way, such as reading at the ceremony or being your personal attendant.
Step 3
Have a friend take your pre-wedding photos. If you feel you need an engagement photo, have a friend or family member who is good at taking pictures snap a few shots of you together outdoors.
Step 4
Save on printing costs. Some ways to save on invitation are to include the reception info on the main invite (omitting the reception card) and/or to ask people to RSVP on a website. Sending an Evite for your wedding is tacky, so don’t do it.
Programs are a good idea if you’re having a church ceremony. But if your ceremony is a ten-minute outdoor recitation of your vows, it’s an expense and hassle you can do without.
Step 5
Spend money on your own beauty, not the whole wedding party. As the bride, it is usually wise to have your hair done by a professional, but buying services for hair, nails and makeup for all your bridesmaids is not necessary or expected. Also, you can do your makeup on your own if you know how. Another way to save on makeup application is to pay to have a makeup session before your wedding (don’t tell them it’s bridal or they may charge more). Take notes and do it yourself. Remember to buy the lipstick you like so you can reapply throughout the day!
Step 6
Don’t spend big on a ceremony site. Nearly every location will charge to use their site. However, if you are open to having your ceremony outside a church, you may be able to get a deal by having your ceremony at your reception site.
Note: If you have your ceremony and reception at the same location, you can omit paying for transportation.
Step 7
Skip the excessive ceremony décor. Many brides purchase expensive floral packages for their ceremony, and it’s simply not necessary. All eyes will be on you and your bridal party, so save money and have nothing, or if it’s evening and your site allows, decorate with candles.
Step 8
Hire a professional to do your bridal flowers. It’s usually best to hire a professional and get a contract if you want it done right. However, you can save money by getting small bouquets for you and your bridesmaids, and by ordering your boutonnières and corsages from the local grocery store. Someone will have to pick them up and keep them refrigerated, but it will save you money.
Also, some specialty grocers do beautiful non-traditional bouquets. Again, someone will need to pick them up, but you might save over half of your floral costs.
Step 9
Spend on the photography. Of all the areas of your wedding, this is the one you should spend and get the best you can afford. You can’t redo your wedding, so get a good photographer. One way to save is to ask for digital photography, order the prints you want and put together your own album. Some photographers will even give you a CD of your photos so you can print them yourself.
Step 10
A video is nice, but not required. It’s nice to have a video of your ceremony, but it’s not necessary to pay for a professional to do it. If you can, have a friend do the job. This may be easier in a non-church setting (you can’t exactly have you friend standing on the altar with you). If you are having a church ceremony, ask if there’s someone on the audio-visual team who can do it for a less.
Step 11
Be flexible with your gown. If you are looking to save, this is definitely as place you can do it. Low-cost retailers have nice selection and gowns have definitely gone down in price in the last ten years. Some people are comfortable buying a non-used gown on eBay. Also, if you are having a non-church wedding you can definitely have a less formal gown.
Step 12
Be on the lookout for deals on bridal accessories. White non-bridal shoes can be bought off season. A veil can be expensive, so consider jewels or flowers in your hair as an option. You may know someone who can make a veil for you; but bear in mind, a cheap-looking veil may look worse than none at all. Don’t skimp on undergarments. They need to feel good and enhance the look of your gown.
Step 13
Spend on the reception, not the rehearsal dinner. A friend may be open to hosting a party (at your expense) in their home and you could have sandwiches catered there. Or go to a pizza place or some other location that is special to you as a couple. Also, restrict the amount of alcohol served. The wedding is the next day, anyway, and it’s better if the alcohol consumption is limited.
Note: The rehearsal dinner should never be “nicer” than the wedding reception. If you’re having a dessert reception at a low-key restaurant, don’t offer a full sit-down at an upscale French restaurant.
Step 14
Thank your friends…on a budget. Consider something personal for those in your wedding party: if your bridesmaid loves coffee, give her a basket with a pound of coffee and a coffee shop gift card; or if your best man likes to cook, give him a nice knife. It’s much more original than earrings or cuff links.
Step 15
Consider alternates to a Saturday evening sit-down reception. An alternative time is the number one way to save here. A brunch may be perfect for you. But for those who would only consider an evening reception, have your ceremony after dinner (after 6pm) and have a dessert or cocktail reception at an upscale restaurant. This is a very elegant option and will set your wedding apart from others your guests will have attended.
Step 16
Limit the alcohol. Limit the alcohol choices to save money. Offer only a few wines, beer and one or two cocktails (give them fun names!).
Step 17
Make your reception glow. To save money decorate with candles. This really only works for an evening reception, but it’s absolutely the most inexpensive and stunning way to decorate. Just be sure to get enough of them. If you have a day reception, try decorating with seasonal items, like rose petals in the summer, pumpkins in the fall or evergreen at the holidays.
Note: Large round tables are the most difficult and most expensive to decorate. Ask if you can have square tables or be seated at long tables.
Step 18
Don’t hire a wedding band. If you have an elegant cocktail reception, dancing isn’t really necessary. You can hire a 3 piece orchestra to stroll your reception. Or if you have a brunch, try a small jazz band.
Note: If you don’t serve alcohol or you have a daytime reception, people will NOT dance. Save your money and find an alternative option to a full wedding band or DJ.
Step 19
Forget the favors. These things, along with monogrammed matchbooks and CD’s of your favorite music are simply are usually tossed by the guests after the reception. If you have the money in your spending plan, consider something fun like a “candy bar” at your reception so guests can fill a bag of their own candy to take with them.
