Lower wedding budgets are today’s reality. Given a smaller budget, can a bride- or groom–to-be still have the wedding of their dreams? Absolutely. The secrets are prioritizing and being conscientious about what you spend. The ebook Dream Wedding on a Dime; 7 Secrets for the Budget-Savvy Bride goes into detail. Here are a few related thoughts:
- Prioritize wedding expenses. When dreaming of the perfect wedding, there are likely two or three elements you see vividly. What are they? The gown? Decor? Location? The people? Whatever the aspects, these are where you should put your priorities.
Take a minute and decide what, exactly, are the pieces of the wedding day of most important to you. Now, decide to make these your planning focus. With this mindset, you will be able to concentrate on the few elements that make the dream a dream, and you will soon forget the more insignificant portions that did not happen as originally anticipated.
Be Both “Penny Wise” and “Pound Wise”
Most of us have heard the phrase “penny wise and pound foolish” as a description for someone who watches every little cent but is wasteful when it comes to larger expense decisions. You can be wise on both fronts! Consistently saving dollars on the smaller expenditures adds up, as does making wise decisions on larger costs.
Here are some ways to go about doing this:
- Pick and choose personalized service providers. The top areas for hiring personalized services are (a) aspects of your wedding most important to you and (b) those that involve projects you do not have the time or available talent to do yourself. Cut costs in areas where you have the resources to DIY (in terms of time and friends or family to help you) and those that are outside the top priority list you made above, in #1.
Before making final decisions, however, evaluate what quality you will give up by having your cousin do the videography or Uncle Walt running an MP3 and speakers. Expertise and experience do matter, so scrimp here with your eyes wide open.
Venue & Catering Costs
There are two approaches to saving money here: guest count and cost for space.
- Choose a nonconventional venue. In recent years, as nontraditional weddings have become more popular, more couples have begun having their receptions in spaces like empty buildings, barns, or the outdoors and many are using the space for both the ceremony and wedding. (For ideas, see 76 Unexpected Wedding Reception Venues.) Depending on the location, this can save on rental fees. Be sure, however, to consider any additional costs for remote locations. Electricity, bathrooms, and a food preparation space are essential. Providing missing amenities can eat into your savings.
- Scrutinize guest count. If you have been researching wedding budgets for long, you have already seen this piece of advice many times. There is a good reason. The number of guests determines many wedding reception costs—the size of the space; the number of table rentals and accompanying decorations; and the required amount of food and drink. Inviting a more intimate group of family and friends allows you to spend more per person on food, favors, and ambiance. Conversely, a larger event requires that you choose less spendy options to stay within budget.
- Choose lower cost food options. Serve a generally lower cost buffet, for example, or have only the entrees catered. Another idea is to ask each person in your family cook their specialty for your wedding. Some choose to skip a sit-down meal and serve drinks and hors-d’oeuvres only. I even read of one wedding that had an all-dessert reception. Whatever your approach, be sure to note it on the invitation so your guests can plan accordingly.
The Visual Details
There are so many options today you no longer have to rely on a single source for all your wedding products (unless you want to).
- Do it yourself (DIY). Make some items yourself and buy supplies wherever it makes sense. Creating your own easy centerpieces or veil, for example, is perfectly acceptable, as is giving handcrafted and personally meaningful gifts to the wedding party.
- Harness the power of the Internet to keep costs down. Shop online sales, discounts, and low-cost websites. Not only is the selection much larger than what you find locally, but lower priced options are often more plentiful as well.
Pay for you honeymoon first! To many people wait untill they just don’t have it in the budget then opt out, which is sad because it’s so important to have that extended private time together.
Possibly reuse someone’s wedding dress! I know every bride wants her own PERFECT dress but not with todays pricing. My mother is letting me use her wedding dress and making any alterations that I want. I’m sure you can get a good cheaper dress online at ebay or some other website. Making alterations to make it the dress of your dreams is still cheaper than a $3,000 dress.
Great tip, Kara. Thanks for the comment!
Have an afternoon reception. You will save 30-50 per person by feeding them lunch instead.
Thanks for adding to the ideas, Lindsey!
We are having a brunch reception with muffins and danishes & coffee
Consider having a family potluck or carry-in. Assign different food groups to the different sides of the family. Any of the bride’s family can bring Entrees, groom’s family bring desserts, and friends bring finger foods. Put the assignments on your invitations. Families are more than willing to help and it is infinitely cheaper than a caterer. It isn’t as fancy but you definitely have more food!
If you’re religious, your church/synagogue/mosque/whathaveyou should let you have your wedding there for free, maybe asking for a donation to cover utility costs, and you can use the lawn or fellowship hall for the reception. Saves time and money. Also, instead of favors, have a dessert buffet and have little baggies for people to take home a few treats – they get fed at the wedding and a favor, but you only shell out for one thing.
working in catering a lovely bride had a very small budget decided to do a breakfast wedding with the photos at sunrise alternatively the food was a lot cheaper and no one touched the booze! huge savings and was a lovely country style wedding 🙂
Booking your wedding on a weekday is significantly cheaper than weekend. One place I looked at was ALMOST half off when doing the wedding on a weekday versus a weekend. It also cuts back on the guest count because not everyone will be available during the week. Also consider just inviting closest family and a few friends to the ceremony and then you can invite more to the reception. Consider dollar store decor like in doilies, fake flowers, mirrors, glasses, colored stones etc. you can find many things there that you would at the party store. Also maybe see what thrift shops have. I always find some pretty cool things there like an old suitcase for $10.
Don’t write off traditional venues without looking at the big picture. I found a gorgous hotel that waived the rental fee for a food and beverage min. The non tradtional venues that I looked at once I figured in rental fees, catering, bar services, table and chair rentals, decor, and the security officers that they required me to hire I had way surpassed the food and berverage min at the traditional venue that already had the over all look that we wanted. Plus without the added stress of trying to cordinate all the outside vendors.