camillepearl23@gmail.com Weddings are expensive! Having a great wedding is probably important to you, but you don’t need to be in debt for a one day party. There are so many ways to cut corners and save money on your wedding, but since you probably don’t want to read every single tip on the internet to save money, I’ve asked couples currently planning their wedding what their top tips are for saving money on your wedding. I’ve compiled the top 10 tips for saving money on your wedding. Make sure you check out the post “Order of Planning a Wedding” to see when you should have your budget finalized.
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Tip #1
Limit Your Guest List
I know this sounds harsh, but you don’t need to invite everyone and their mother to your wedding, especially if you’re having a budget-friendly wedding. Limit your guest list to your closest friends and family. You might consider setting up zoom to include others virtually. Join my email list to get a free guest list template to use to keep track of your guests!
Tip #2
Have Your Wedding at “Off” Times
By “off” times, I mean consider having your wedding on a weekday or in the off season. Check out my post on how to have a gorgeous winter wedding. You can have a cheap wedding and have the perfect wedding together! DressAfford allows you to shop wedding dresses by season so you find the dress that works for your wedding time and place!
Tip #3
Choose a Casual Menu
Everyone wants to know how to save money on wedding food. Reduce the cost of your wedding by having a casual menu. Consider a brunch wedding or having a dinner buffet instead of servers. You might even ask your family to bring a dish to share. They would love to help and it will considerably cheapen your wedding!
Tip #4
Cut Down On Cake
I’m not a cake person to begin with, so this seems an obvious choice for me. Consider other desserts such as cupcakes, cookies, pie, cheesecake, etc. Order coffee in bulk from 1st in Coffee to have with your dessert. This is also a time to ask those family bakers if they’re willing to help out!
Tip #5
Find an All-Inclusive Venue
Find a venue that not only provides a space to have your wedding (ceremony and reception), but also provides common rentals such as tables, chairs, decorations, table linens, or even catering or a bar service. It might cost more up front for an all-inclusive venue, but you’ll save so much money (and headaches) on the other things you’ll need! Check out an online wedding budget calculator to see what you’ll save.
Tip #6
Put Your DIY Hat On
You’re already on Pinterest anyway for inspiration, and a lot of what you’ll find is either already DIY or DIY-able! Break out that Cricut (or get one here) and make your own table centerpieces, signs, flower arrangements and more! Evermine also has a whole section of FREE DIY printables. All you need is some paper and a printer!
Tip #7
Use Fake Flowers
If it seems like a waste to you to buy lots of beautiful flowers to use for one day and then get rid of, this could be the wedding saving trick for you! Michaels has tons of fake flower options. I love these paper flower creations from Sunflower Summer Co! Plus you can keep them forever!
Tip #8
Find Used Decor
I see people on Facebook selling their used wedding items all the time! Why buy new when someone already has what you want? It’ll be cheaper than buying new and you’ll use unused items that others are looking to get rid of. Search for wedding groups in your area.
Tip #9
Have a Wine and Beer Only Bar
If your venue and state allow it, you can get your own temporary liquor license and purchase your own wedding alcohol. Buy in bulk and don’t worry about expensive liquors or signature cocktails. Just make sure you are doing this legally! The California Wine Club has delicious wine that you can purchase in bulk.
Tip #10
Focus On a Specific Area For Decorating
You might consider a detailed focus wall instead of getting elaborate decorations for all over the venue and on all the tables. Your guests will be drawn to the focus wall and won’t even notice that there aren’t more decorations.
There are so many more ways and tips for saving money on your wedding. I hope these help you reduce the cost and financial burden of planning a wedding! What are your top 10 tips for saving money on your wedding? Leave it in the comments and don’t forget to join my email newsletter!
These are great tips! I didn’t know flowers were so expensive, so using fake ones is a genius idea!
These are such great tips! I limited my guest list AND just got delicious sheet cake that the servers brought out to the guests. None of the guests care about the cake-cutting photos (if they can even see them being taken in the corner) so if you don’t care about those photos (I certainly didn’t) it saves money AND precious fun/dancing/mingling time on your special day.
That’s what I think! Plus I don’t even like cake
I’m not getting married anytime soon (kind of have to have a boyfriend for that lol) but I know people that have used some of these tips and saved a lot!!
It’s good to think about for the future!
Loved this article to bits. Wedding planning has just been made easier!
Yay I’m so glad! That’s my goal!
I’m not getting married any time soon but I’ll be saving this article for when I do! Great tips!
The biggest day for so many! Great advice on saving money! Let’s start the marriage without worrying about finances so better to save!
Great list! I did a few of these for my own wedding in 2019, and it definitely saved money. Thanks for sharing!
My husband and I literally used all of these tips for our wedding in addition to only spending $200 on my dress. Those decisions to be frugal then have continued to bless us now, 7 years later. Thanks for the post!
LOVE these tips! I had my wedding on a tight budget and I remember that fake flowers saved me like $3000 – absolutely worth it.
Great tips, finding and all-inclusive venue definitely helps!
I love these tips!!! If I could do it again, I’d cut our guest list in half and have a smaller gathering. I would’ve also used fake flowers too!
Great tips! I had mine on a Friday (super off day to have a wedding), and it saved SO MUCH MONEY!
Yes and you still have the whole weekend!
I take pleasure in, cause I found exactly what I was having a look for.
You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless
you man. Have a great day. Bye