We’ve all heard stories or watched tv shows about weddings that cost as much as a house. Now that it’s your turn to get married, you know that’s not an option for you. But, that definitely doesn’t mean you can’t have the gorgeous wedding of your dreams. You just have to go about it differently. Here are some tips for getting the perfect wedding day for less mula.
1. Shop Around- Even if you love the first thing you see, it’s wise to shop around for venues and other vendors you’ll use. Some venues charge more because you have to use their caterer, bar tender, decorations, cake, and invitations. Although this makes it convenient, you can usually get cheaper prices if you hire all the vendors separately. Some venues allow you to bring your own food, drinks, decorations, etc, whereas some do not. This can also make a big difference in the price. For example, you can buy flowers in bulk for cheaper than going with a florist that the reception center has a contract with. Remember to shop around for your dress, the bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen attire, and decorations. You may be able to find a cheaper price for the item you love elsewhere.
2. Use Your Peeps- Using every connection possible will really help with cost. Some people know someone who is a DJ, photographer, videographer, bartender, etc, but even if you don’t, there’s always a way that your friends and family members can help you out. Even if he or she is not a professional, have them practice, and if you like what you see, take advantage of their services for a smaller fee or as a wedding present. Know someone who’s an excellent cook or cake maker? Seen someone edit pictures for fun? Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Now days, anyone can become certified to marry you through an online program that registers you as a minister. If it’s not something you can do yourself, but you don’t want to pay a ton for a pro, you might be surprised what asking around and posting on craigslist or facebook can do.
3. DIY- Look into making your own center pieces, decorations, arranging your own flowers, making a play list instead of hiring a DJ, or making your own cake. There are tutorials online for pretty much anything you want to make. You can have your friends and family members pass around a video camera all night and then edit the footage yourself instead of hiring a videographer. Or you can buy frames from DI and spray paint them to match each other instead of buying expensive frames. It’s important to add up the cost of every part involved in what you’re making. Sometimes, “doing it yourself” is cheaper, and sometimes it’s not. Because some projects involve lots of different parts, it’s sometimes more expensive to try and make the cute favors you saw on pinterest than to just buy mints online in bulk. Do your research before starting a project.
4. Time and Place- The wedding “season” is usually April through September. So if you get married anytime between October and March, vendor pricing is significantly cheaper. Fridays and Saturdays are the most popular days, so some brides save thousands by choosing to get married during the week or on Sunday. The location also has a big impact on cost. You can save money by choosing to have your wedding and reception at a park, church, restaurant, home, or cabin instead of pricey reception centers. Other brides have saved money by taking their wedding to a close-by destination that might have cheaper pricing.
Like I mentioned before, you can save a lot of money by shopping around with your vendors, and that includes the rings as well! Click here to visit a jeweler that gives you more bang for your buck. Have fun with planning your wedding while saving money!
