Weddings are arguably one of the most beautiful events one can attend, and that extravagance doesn’t come cheap. A bride’s dream wedding could cost a pretty penny and venues often require huge deposits and far in advanced notices. This doesn’t even include the price of catering services, floral arrangements, and photography. I used to watch the shows “Bridezillas” and “Say Yes to the Dress,” and one thing that made the couples the happiest was staying on budget.
If you’re newly engaged, congratulations and here’s our wedding present to you: 10 ways to save on your wedding. Tie in some of these tips into your planning! Research shows that an average American Wedding costs around $30,000, which is over half of what the average single American grosses yearly.
1. Hire a Seamstress.
There are popular chain boutiques that sell luxurious attire for the entire wedding party. This typically runs the average American bride around 2 grand. But it’s safe to say wedding dresses are probably the most expensive garment in the store. Hiring a seamstress can help alleviate some of the stress of picking out and paying for the wedding attire. You may have the option to create something custom, or alter sentimental hand-me down pieces with a local seamstress, for the alterations typically total under $1,000.
2. Invite Your Favorite Businesses to Your Wedding.
We’ve all seen the rave on social media where couples sends invitations to companies like catering businesses, to their wedding. If you’re lucky, some of these companies offer to sponsor certain aspects of the wedding or provide gifts or favors to your big day. I guess it’s true, closed mouths don’t get fed.
3. Intimate Wedding Party
Something that I believe every married couple can agree on is keeping the party as intimate. When the wedding party is intimate, it may be smaller, more valuable, less stressful, or a combination of all three.
4. Off-Season Wedding
Having a wedding off-season can be just as beautiful as the cliche bright, sunny wedding. It can give the engaged an opportunity to celebrate their union in a unique way by playing with different themes, cuisine, flavors, colors, and other options that different seasons have to offer. Along with that, it may be better to book venues and other wedding services off-season for a chance to have a better price if they are not it that big of a demand. Credit: Unsplash
5. Destination Wedding at All Inclusive Resort
Although this option may sound expensive, I have read many blogs and heard personal stories of how destination weddings have been cheaper than the traditional wedding. For one, if the destination wedding is at something such as an all inclusive resort, there are many benefits that the wedding party can obtain. There are even packages for destination weddings that include venues, catering, and other perks. Depending on where you go, you can even bundle in your honeymoon.
6. Elope
Court house weddings are becoming more popular as the price of living continues to grow more expensive. Depending on your state’s laws, eloping at the court house or just obtaining a marriage license is quite affordable, and couples can spend more money towards things they find more meaningful. Some couples may just elope and have an elaborate reception where their family and friends can celebrate the newly wedded.
7. Meaningful Wedding Favors
When a couple has a beautiful ceremony, the guests are thrilled to have been a witness. We understand that weddings are expensive, so there is no need for fancy wedding favors that are meaningless. I’ve been surprised by the smaller, less expensive favors that people tend to love such as a nice cocktail glass, themed souvenir, or even hand signed photographs.
8. Recyclable Bouquet
Floral arrangements tend to be more expensive than most people think. Once again, social media has struck an idea across the couples waiting to share a last name and the rest of their lives. People have been obsessing over recyclable bouquets made with artificial flowers. They last for years, can be DIY (do it yourself) or professionally made, and they can become the new family’s heirloom.
9. Outdoor Wedding
Outdoor ceremonies have always been valued as money savers when it comes to weddings. You often times do not need a venue, and the decor can be DIY or professional planned. Outdoor weddings are usually very beautiful and nature can enhance the beauty. I’ve seen gorgeous weddings on beaches, farm side, and even in the mountains.
10. Wedding & Reception in the Same Venue
Some couples have great luck when finding a venue stunning enough to have their ceremony and their reception. This saves a hassle for the newly wedded as far as transportation, time, and of course, money.
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