Savings Secret #7 in Dream Wedding on a Dime; 7 Secrets for the Budget-Savvy Bride is “Stack and Save.” What you ultimately pay from your budget shrinks proportionately when you find multiple ways to lower the cost of items or services—shopping for the best value plus getting an added discount, having others pitch in on the cost of a purchase, or finding ways to use less. Here are 33 money saving ideas for your wedding that take this approach.
- Look for ways multiple parties can contribute to the cost of the same item or service, such as both getting a discount from the vendor and receiving partial payment for the service as a gift from a relative.
- Save by both spending less for and using less of an item.
- Consider using multiple services from a vendor or her associates, which often results in savings versus going with two unassociated vendors.
- Combine savings by using sparkling wine (as opposed to champagne, which can only be from Champagne, France) and giving guests the choice of using their own drinks for the toast or taking only a token amount of sparkling wine.
- Have a potluck meal, where the guests bring the food. (Only at very informal receptions, though!)
- Limit the liquor to a signature drink, then buy the alcohol at a discount.
- Purchase liquor at a warehouse club store, then control the alcohol content by mixing the drinks in bulk ahead of time and having guests serve themselves from a dispenser at a drink station.
- Buy used fancier display stands, and then resell them (a current selection of decorative used stands and plates are at MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/used-stands).
- Buy apothecaries or other glass containers in bulk at wholesale prices, and then resell them on eBay after the wedding. Shop at MyOnlineWeddingHelp.com/apothecary.
- Combine centerpieces and dessert by assembling mini-towers of cupcakes, cookies, or brownies and displaying them on guest tables.
- Make desserts the favors by setting up a candy or dessert bar with take-home bags, boxes, and seals for guests to help themselves.
- Use flowers from the ceremony to decorate the cake and/or cake table at the reception.
- Buy bulk flowers and materials for DIY.
- Discuss with your pros what they may already have in excess or can otherwise supply at a cheaper rate than the standard options.
- Have the bride and bridesmaids’ bouquets act as guest-table decorations at the reception.
- Move the altar flowers to the head table.
- Reuse pew decorations as centerpieces.
- Utilize the same live plants at both the wedding and reception.
- Look for products that will serve double or triple purposes.
- Use coupon codes on sale items whenever possible.
- Always shop with a cash-back credit card.
- Sell old jewelry to raise ring money.
- Choose the bridesmaids’ handbags ahead of time and then wait for sales at the already low-priced stores.
- Buy one of a kind or non-matching clutches from multiple sources.
- Look for faux fur or other special-occasion coats during cool-weather clearance, usually January or February.
- Use the same decorations at both the ceremony and reception.
- Incorporate table numbers into the centerpieces.
- Combine favors and name tags or escort cards.
- Combine centerpieces with desserts and/or favors.
- Buy new or used tablecloths and napkins online and resell them. (Tablecloths are here.)
- Make overlays or runners and resell them after the wedding. Inspiration tip: Organza, satin, taffeta, and burlap each have a unique look.
- Put names on your favors and use them as escort or place cards.
- Construct the centerpieces or other decorations so they are appropriate for guests to take as favors.
The above is based on content from the ebook Dream Wedding on a Dime; 7 Secrets for the Budget-Savvy Bride.