10 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding
We all know that anything “wedding” costs money. But by looking at your priorities you can easily save big bucks on your big day. Here are 10 very doable ways to have the best day ever and not pay for it for the rest of your life.
10 easy ways to save money on your wedding
PLAN, PLAN, PLAN
Set your wedding date so you give yourself plenty of time to put your wedding plans in place. By having extra time up your sleeve you will give yourself the best chance of getting your choice of venue and vendors, which are the big costs. Having to settle for second or third choice could mean settling for the pricier option, so this is up there in the priorities of good planning. Allowing yourself a good timeframe (even up to 2 years) can also give you more time to shop around for other big-ticket items like the dress.
WEDDING DRESS
Is there such a thing as a bargain wedding dress? Well of course. And cheaper doesn’t always mean cheap... Sign up for e-newsletters at your favorite wedding dress boutiques to keep up with the latest sales and special offers. Keeping your eye on the latest from your favorite stores might even mean you get to snag the dress you’ve always wanted at below the usual cost. Or buy secondhand. There are some gorgeous secondhand dresses out there just waiting for another trip down the aisle and you can find them in online stores. Okay, before you rule it out, just think – if a dress has already been chosen by someone it’s probably a gorgeous dress and let’s face it it’s probably only been worn once!
DO A DEAL ON DRINKS?
Buying your alcohol, yourself and getting it when there are shop specials can save you big bucks. If you over purchase (better to think over than under) some of the bigger stores will take returns (unlikely to need this but it’s just a sobering thought). Plus talk to your seller about the amount you plan to buy, and you might be able to haggle for a discount. Another little drinks dollar saver idea is to serve a signature drink in cocktail hour and beer and wine for the rest of the night.
WHAT WEDDING CAKE?
Hahaha no I don’t mean skip the wedding cake. There are plenty of cute alternative ideas to the traditional wedding cake. You could serve lamingtons, cupcakes or doughnuts, all wedding decorated of course. Or you could make the wedding cake yourself – decorate it yourself, leave it nude of icing (a sponge with cream would suit this) and just decorate it with icing sugar and wedding themed decorations. And no matter what you choose, if you make or order enough, you can have that to serve as dessert and save there as well.
More Victoria Wedding Inspiration & Resources
Want even more fun Bendigo wedding inspiration & helpful resources for your own wedding?! Check out a few of my most popular blog posts here:
SHARE THE BURDEN
If you know other couples that are getting married – share the costs. The more you rent and often the longer you rent items for the cheaper they can be. So, by planning wedding days back-to-back you could save on things like marquees and furniture. This one takes that special planning effort, but it could pay off big time.
A WEEKDAY WEDDING
Okay so you can skimp on stationery and DIY where you can – if you want to save dollars, but did you know that having your wedding during the week or on a Sunday can mean savings of hundreds, even thousands – of dollars? Vendors are often booked up on Saturdays so by having a Wedding Wednesday or Friday you can have a better choice of dates and sometimes a significant difference in price. This might not suit everyone but using this alternative could make a big difference to the budget.
GO MICRO
Catering and reception costs are often among the biggest costs you’ll encounter for your big day. So having a smaller guest list might just save heaps. By cutting your guest list you could also cut costs on things like stationary, favors and alcohol. Your wedding will be a more intimate occasion with less people by eliminating those guests who are not top of importance. Let’s face it, you can probably do without anyone you haven’t seen for years, or that person you don’t see yourself knowing in years to come either.
UP THE GREENERY IN YOUR FLORALS
Cut flowers are a costly component in your wedding plan budget. But by choosing carefully and by using local and in-season cuts you could bring your budget down. You can also feel good about supporting local business. By bulking up your bouquet with more green foliage you will not only save money, but you can also feel better about the impact your florals have on the environment (production of cut flowers require large amounts of water). Green foliage is more readily available, has a natural beauty and costs less. So go greener to save both the environment and your dollars.
DIY MAKEUP
Okay, you want to look gorgeous on your wedding day, we all know that. And the idea of doing your own makeup sounds a little cheap, but when you look at the average makeup bill for weddings being $743, doing it yourself actually looks like a gorgeous and smarter option. Anyway, I’m guessing you’ve worn makeup before, and you know what looks best on you. So go for it and save those dollars. But if you want that pampered bride feeling, ask your makeup creative bridesmaid to do yours and get the other bridesmaids to do their own. What better excuse to get together for a girls’ weekend in the lead up to the big day for a few drinks and your own makeup trial?
CREATE YOUR OWN VENUE
There’s nothing better than natural surrounds for your ceremony. Holding your wedding in the back paddock or at a relative’s much-loved garden will give your big day that special personal edge (not to mention the magnificent photos natural venues like these provide). Now, partner that place in your heart with some DIY decorations. Think rustic, ribbons, timber and lace, a little bit of Spotlight and a whole lotta landscape! Catering for an intimate occasion like this by hiring food vans, a catered buffet, a spit roast or even a picnic will not only be delicious, but it will also save you heaps. Just think, you will probably be the only couple that will get married in that location – can’t get more unique than that!
So, by making some careful choices you can make your wedding day, a day to remember, for all the right reasons. And you can always save money in one area and spend more in another, it just depends on what means the most to you. No matter what you choose, this is your special day and if you can save money at the end of it that’s a bonus. But most of all, remember that it’s all yours to enjoy, so smile and love it up!
xx Peta
