We know that most couples would like to save money on their wedding, and that’s why we’ve tried so hard to keep our prices down. But, there are plenty of other ways to save money and still have a beautiful wedding. Here are a few:
1.Cut out the favors. You’d be shocked at the large number of left over favors we see at every single wedding, especially if they are non edible items like cookie cutters, bells, or coasters. Just buy some bags of Hershey Kisses and sprinkle them on all the tables. It’s quick, pretty, and guests love them!
2. Only print enough wedding programs for ½ of the guests. Many guests don’t take them, and if a married couple is invited, they often only take one.
3. For bubble exits, only have enough bubbles for ½ of the guests. Think about it, ½ of the guests will have left by then anyway (and yes, that is normal!). Just put them in a basket stored under the sign in table, and pull them out before the exit.
4. Don’t get personalized napkins. Just buy some plain napkins in your wedding colors at any party store.
5. Cut out a few of the fancy appetizers. Cheese and crackers are plenty to tide the guests over until meal time.
6. Alcohol. You really don’t need to offer your guests alcohol. But, there are ways to save if you choose to serve it. Offer only beer and wine. This is the most popular option that we see quite often. A cash bar is another choice, but one that many people are not fond of. And, many people these days don’t carry cash, so they won’t have the money to pay for a drink. To many couples on a budget, offering only beer and wine is the easiest way to go.
7. Cut down on the cake. I’ve heard it said that instead of having a large wedding cake to serve all your guests, have a smaller wedding cake with cheaper sheet cakes in the kitchen to serve the guests. I don’t know if this really saves a lot of money, but it’s worth looking in to.
8. Pare down the guest list. Each additional guest costs a lot of money, from invitations, to food, to drinks, to table linens. Do you really need to invite your old neighbor, whom you haven’t seen in 25 years, who changed your diaper when you were two years old? Eliminating children is becoming a more popular way to cut down the guest list as well. It makes sense, as kids often don’t enjoy a wedding like adults. They’re constantly being told to sit down, be quiet, don’t touch the cake, stop running, get off the dance floor, you name it. How much fun is that for a child? Other ways to trim the list are to not invite relatives you haven’t seen in 10 years, or only invite coworkers in your division: not the whole office.
9. Ask your vendors for ways to save. This is the easiest way to save money, but the most often overlooked. Your wedding vendor is there for you, to help you have the wedding of your dreams on a budget you can afford. We’re your friends! Ask your florist if there’s a way to get a similar look for less. Ask your caterer if there is a different food that will help you save money. Now, if you’re thinking of saving money by hiring a friend, let my say from the start that I’m a firm believer in hiring professional vendors (not Uncle Joe with a camera, or Aunt Mary who likes to play around with flowers, or Cousin Billy who likes to make barbecue). Trust me when I say that we’ve seen problems occur at weddings, and 99% of them occurred when a non-professional was asked to do the job of a professional. Hire a professional and ask for money saving advice.
10. Hit the sales! Keep your eyes open, watch for sales, and stock up when you find them. You can buy all kinds of items for your ceremony or reception on sale and save 50% and more.
11. Don’t have a candy buffet, dessert bar, or cookie buffet. Yes, they look cool, and yes, guests love them, but yes, they cost money! These types of unnecessary expenses are lots of fun, but just not feasible if you’re on a tight budget. Your guests are there to celebrate your marriage, and the lack of a candy buffet won’t make them enjoy the wedding day any less!
And, as always, happy planning!
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