Zak & I are getting married!
We’re super excited, but I’d really prefer to NOT spend a million dollars.
I asked on Stories recently about tips for saving $$ on a wedding – here they are! I’m also including some tips I’ve already figured out. Thank you all so much for your recommendations – leave me a comment below if I missed anything!
General
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Prioritize what’s important to you and ditch the extras
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Look up questions to ask your potential vendors ahead of time so you know exactly what you’re getting e.g. this article from TheKnot – Questions to Ask the Band
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Get married on a weekday, Friday, or Sunday
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Enter all the contests e.g. at bridal showcases – you can win for example free makeup for the bridal party
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Collect your change throughout your engagement in a big jar & use it on the honeymoon
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Try to not use the words “wedding” and “bridal” for purchases
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Facebook groups sell many once used items e.g. tablecloths, centerpieces, wedding dresses even!
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Be smart with this one please! Try to pay for things with credit cards where you get good points – then use the points for your honeymoon
Planners, Coordinators
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Make sure to get a day-of coordinator, but so much is free online that a wedding planner may not be needed
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However! Hiring a wedding planner can also help you save money throughout the process because they’ll be able to look at contracts and help you spend money wisely
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Wedding planners sometimes have a “preferred vendors” list available (for free) on their websites – you can search for these lists to see which vendors many planners recommend
Venue, Guest List, Table Settings
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Invite only your closest friends & family – guest list increases the price quickly
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DIY as much as you can – place cards, table #s, centerpieces, vases etc. – you can get many things on Amazon and the dollar store that look very nice
Flowers
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Check out CostCo, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, florist wholesalers, or other large grocers for flowers and greenery
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Rent wedding bouquets and boutonnieres (woah did not know you could do this!) e.g. Something Borrowed Blooms
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Artificial flowers save lots of $
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Try Bloomerent for using flowers from another wedding the day/night before – which also reduces flower waste!!
Photographers & Photos
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Don’t skimp on a photographer – photos are what you’re really left with at the end of the day
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Get your photos as high res images and then print your own album later
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Many photographers do “mini” sessions for the holidays (Christmas time) – use this for your engagement photos
Invites & Save the Dates
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Email save the dates instead of snail mail
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Try Minted – they have big sales all the time
Food & Alcohol
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If possible, bring in your own alcohol – buy wholesale & you can often return bottles you don’t open
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Limit alcohol to beer, wine, and signature cocktails instead of having an open bar
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Use a restaurant caterer instead of a catering company
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Buffet style is often cheaper than sit-down
Cake
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Get donuts or cupcakes – cheaper than a cake
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Get your cake at a grocery store – much cheaper than a bakery and can look very nice (specific recommendation for Whole Foods)
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Have a small cake for display, and then use a sheet cake to serve your guests
The Dress & Accessories
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Ask to see wedding dresses from last season or “off the rail” at the boutiques – they’re often much cheaper
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Look on StillWhite for gently used wedding dresses
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Get a veil and accessories on e.g. Amazon as bridal stories increase the price a lot
Wedding Party (Bridesmaids et
c)
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Have your bridesmaids rent their dresses
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Have a smaller wedding party or no wedding party
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To help with alteration costs, try something like Union Station (flat fee for dress – $150 – based on person’s specific measurements)
Gifts for Your Guests
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Instead of serving your wedding cake at dessert time, have a piece ready to go as your “favor”
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No wedding favors! No one cares or remembers
