Great Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding

It is no secret that weddings are expensive. In fact, some couples go into debt to have the wedding of their dreams. Thankfully, you don’t have to be one of those couples. You can have a dream wedding without going over budget. Here are 10 ways to save money on your wedding.

Know Your Priorities

Before you sit down to make a budget, note down your priorities. What wedding elements are important to you? Splurge on the things you love, and you’ll feel ok about being frugal on the rest. Some of the things guests remember about a wedding include food, entertainment, and the venue. Make sure these are impressive.

Choose an Unusual Venue

Your venue can lower or raise the cost of your wedding. Instead of having your wedding in a country club or a dedicated wedding reception hall, select an unusual venue like a restaurant, a zoo, a local park, a forest preserve, a public garden, or a friend’s backyard. You can also choose a venue with extras like a wedding coordinator, food, cake, and decorations. Be sure to ask what’s included in the quoted price.

Shorten the Guest List

Doing this will significantly reduce your wedding expenses. Most wedding caterers charge per person so removing even 20 people from your guest list can make a big difference. Omit colleagues, children, and singles. Also reduce your wedding party as the more people you have, the more you’ll spend.

Pick Your Own Officiant

Wedding officiants charge between $225.00 to $500.00. This can be a pretty penny for wedding couples with limited budgets. Ask a friend or a relative to administer wedding vows. Some churches ordain laypersons so they can officiate weddings. Only a few states in the US require officiants to be active ministers. Ask the local clerk about state laws beforehand. 

Don’t Buy a Designer Wedding Gown

If you want to stretch the dollars, don’t buy your wedding dress at a bridal salon. Visit a department store and scour the special occasions section. You can also buy a vintage or gently used gown. Some wedding sites sell these dresses at very fair prices. Wedding designers also hold trunk shows and sample sales where you can find fairly priced gowns.

Cut Down on Food Costs

This is one of the best ways to save money on your wedding. Food can be the biggest wedding expense. Instead of serving a five-course meal, consider a buffet or a family-style meal. The food will serve as an icebreaker and help you to save on table décor. In addition, you can serve reasonably priced dishes like risotto, pizza, chicken and pasta, and salad.

Get Married on a Weekday

More and more couples are getting married on a weekday. When funds are limited, you have to think outside the box. Saturdays are popular hence most venues cost an arm and a leg. Inquire about rates for Friday or Sunday afternoon. Most of your guests will be able to attend your shindig and you won’t have to deal with many complaints.

Get a DJ 

The great thing about a DJ is he also doubles as an MC. Wedding guests love DJs because they keep them entertained. If you know someone who loves Djing and has a great music collection, ask them to DJ at your wedding. Most people would be honored to be your MC and might DJ for free. All you may need to pay for is the equipment.

Hire an Unknown Wedding Photographer

There are many wedding photographers still trying to make a name for themselves. Their low fees can help you to save a lot of money. But be sure to check the person’s work before you decide whether you’ll hire him. If you’ve fallen for a popular photographer, ask if they can refer you to a colleague who isn’t so expensive. Remember that every moment of your wedding is precious; get a great photographer and you’ll be happy every time you look at your wedding photos.

Hire a Wedding Planner

This seems contrary to perception, but hiring a wedding planner may be one of the best decisions you will ever make. Wedding planners know how to haggle and can get you great prices on everything – from the food to the decorations. They can work with tight budgets and know all the local vendors.  

If you want to save money on your wedding, these tips will come in handy. You don’t have to break the bank to have a memorable day. There are ways to get what you want without letting the budget spiral out of control.