10 TIPS TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR WEDDING
Decided to tie the knot? Congratulations! While planning your wedding is exciting, we all know getting married isn’t cheap. From finding the perfect venue, to selecting flowers to choosing the right bridal earrings, there are a million things to consider when planning your big day, especially if you are on a tight budget If you are about start planning and don’t want cost to spiral, read on for 10 tips to save money on your wedding without compromising your day.
1. Borrow Accessories
Bridal jewellery can be quite pricey, especially if you have exquisite taste. Instead of investing in new and expensive pieces, take the affordable route (or, in this case, the free route). Borrowing your adornments can help you save money and bring a little family legacy to your day. Ask your grandma if she would lend you her vintage pearl bridal jewelry or your bestie for her twinkling chandelier earrings. We guarantee that they’ll say yes.
2. Choose a Non-Traditional Venue
There are plenty of beach hotels and fancy country houses that cater to extravagant weddings, but these venues can often break your wedding budget. Instead of opting for a classic and expensive venue for your big day, take the non-traditional route by choosing a more uncommon type of venue. Think chic Airbnb with a large garden, an intimate and elegant restaurant, or even a museum or art gallery. These are all great options for your wedding venue. Besides giving your ceremony and reception a unique feel, picking a place that doesn’t usually cater to weddings can help you save a lot of money. If you decide on renting an Airbnb for the weekend, go for something with a large garden or even a pool. You only have to pay the accommodation costs for yourself and your new spouse, as guests won’t spend the night there, especially if the place you choose is near your hometown.
3. Rent the Wedding Attire
Ah, that designer lace dress, with that vintage embellished veil and pricey shoes. But let’s be realistic. If you choose to purchase a brand new designer dress with all its accessories, you will most probably not be able to save money on your wedding. Instead of paying many thousands on something that you will only wear once, try renting a beautiful designer gown and a slick and modern tux. There are plenty of wedding rental services like Bridal Reloved, My Wardrobe HQ or Something Borrowed. These have variety of styles to choose from. Even premium bridal boutiques might offer this option, so don’t be afraid to ask. Besides being an amazing money-saving opportunity, renting your wedding attire can give you the chance to snag the dress of your dreams from a high-end designer. Moreover, it’s sustainable and you won’t have to worry about what to do with the dress after the wedding, as the rental company takes care of everything for you.
4. Get Married on a Week Day
We all know that Saturday is the most popular day for getting married. If you opt for a traditional wedding venue, you may have to compromise on either your dream location, or your preferred date to get the place that you want and stick to your budget. Instead of breaking the bank on a Saturday, consider a week day wedding. Most wedding venues will offer a reduced rate for Monday – Thursdays.
5. Look For Up-And-Coming Photographers
Chances are there’s a photographer out there that ticks all your boxes but costs half your entire budget. Sure, they might have an amazing portfolio, but if you are trying to save money on your wedding budget, you should opt for a more affordable alternative. The rates for professional wedding photographers can be very high, so try seeking out new talent on social media. There are plenty of very talented photographers out there that are trying to build a business in a very competitive market. Check out Sam and Yaz, Harmit Kambo (the Snapper) and others for pricing and portfolios. Try local colleges or scour social media for new talent looking to build their portfolios.
6. Go Paperless
We all have those tech savvy friends who know everything about computers, so ask them for a favour instead of a gift. Create a wedding website with all the information your guests will need: invites, RSVPs, venue, gift registry, ceremony and reception timings, menu choices etc. It will make your wedding planning more manageable and keeps the information you will need in one place. Moreover, you will be able to save money on traditional invitations and other printed information. Besides making your life easier and saving you some money, your guests will also benefit from your wedding website. They will be able to send RSVPs easily, they will know what food you are planning so can inform you about any allergies, and they won’t spend time choosing a gift as you can include a gift list.
7. Downsize Your Cake
Let’s face it, you don’t have to order a three-tiered cake, decorated with expensive sugar flowers and gold leaf from a prestigious bakery. Go for a simpler version and ask your local baker to use less expensive embellishments like ribbons or your favourite chocolates. Keep in mind that more elaborate cake designs come with big price tags, so keep it simple and your costs will reduce significantly. If you really want to save a few hundred pounds, you can buy a simple cake from your favourite small bakery rather than a bespoke designed cake. Decorate yourself with fresh flowers for a budget-friendly alternative that will look stunning and make your cake romantic and wedding-worthy.
8. Limit Your Guest List
It goes without saying that a shorter guest list is the easiest way to save money on your wedding budget. Cutting down on guests means spending less on food and drinks, which of course leads to saving money. If you are not sure on how to reduce your list from 200 people to 100, start by deciding on the non-negotiables like parents, the wedding party and close friends. For the rest of the names on your list, just ask yourself when is the last time you met (or spoke) with that person. If your answer is over 6 months before, cross off the name and move on. After all, the main priority is having your closest friends and family there to share the special moments, so keep your reception small and intimate.
9. Embrace Minimalism
From flowers and décor to cake and food, there are plenty of things you can adjust to keep costs down. Instead of a 5-tier wedding cake and a flower wall, keep it simple and replace expensive items with affordable alternatives. If we are talking about décor, simple. Non-scented candles are a perfect choice as they are not pricey and can fill the room with romance. You could also replace your seasonal flowers with greenery like eucalyptus leaves or olive branches. They are inexpensive and will stay fresh for longer than delicate flowers.
10. Ditch the Formal Meal
One of the biggest expenses you will have when planning your wedding is the food. Instead of paying a lot of money to fancy caterers, opt for alternative ways of serving food. A great alternative is to hire a food truck. This works especially well if you are hosting a more ‘outdoor’ reception. It’s unique, fun and the perfect complement to a bohemian wedding theme. If a food truck is not your style, you can opt for a buffet. Choose a variety of delicious dishes from your favourite family-owned restaurant, or a less-expensive suburban caterer. Crisp bars, ice-cream vans, popcorn and candy floss can also help to fill your guests up without breaking your wedding budget.
Thanks to Olivia Mitchell for this Blog. Images from Unsplash
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