1. Try to avoid the words "wedding" and "bride".
Obviously that doesn't work when hiring your photographer or officiant, but with things like
bridal shoes and the
wedding cake. The latter can be extremely expensive, order a birthday or anniversary cake instead.
We paid $16 for our cake, the same baker gave us a price quote of almost $200 for a similar "
wedding cake" of the same size. Insane! I admit our cake wasn't an eye candy, but i rather have an ugly yet delicious cake than a dry and inedible stunner.
2. Do you really need all those lovely handmade embellishments and sugar flowers on your cake?
The more complex the more expensive. Decorate it with paper flowers instead. Crepe paper flowers are easy to make and look gorgeous! See the how-to
here.
3. Speaking about cake again, why not buy it from a grocery store or ask a talented friend or relative to make one instead of a gift?
4. Think twice before you saddle yourself with thousands of DIY projects.
While they make your wedding look more personal and unique they can turnout as pricey or even more expensive than store-bought items. Always calculate the total costs of the materials and tools
before you start a project and don't forget to consider the time factor. Time is money, so ask yourself if it's really worth the effort?
5. Buy preowned.
Most couples want to get rid of their stuff right after the wedding. Regularly check sites like Craigslist, Ebay classifieds and the Weddingbee classifieds for decorative items, and
POWD,
Oncewed,
Encore Bridal,
Bravobride and
Recycled Bride for dresses, veils, accesories, rings etc.
Most items have only been used for a couple of hours and are still in perfect condition.
6. Sell your stuff on the websites mentioned above after your wedding to get back at least some of your expenses.
7. Visit trunk shows if you don't feel comfortable wearing a used dress. You might be able to get a discount on your dream dress. Most designers and bridal salons publish a list of upcoming events on their website. Moreover, stores often sell their sample dresses at reduced prices, especially those of discontinued styles or with seasonal collection changes.
8. Skip Save-the-Dates, read my arguments
here9. Buy seasonal and local flowers only. You really don't need tulips from the Netherlands in your november wedding bouquet.
10. Also try growing your own flowers in your garden or on the balcony.
11. Skip unneccesary stuff. All those "oh, it doesn't cost a lot, let's do it"-ideas sum up quickly and combined they can blow your budget.
Always ask yourself if you really
must have it. Don't think as a bride but take a look at each idea from a guest's more distant point of view: Will you ( as a guest) care about it? Will you even notice it? Will you still have a great time at the wedding regardless of this certain idea?
Here are three examples:
12. Bathroom baskets.
Yes, they are indeed adorable and represent attentive and thoughtful hosts. And yes, they don't cost a fortune. But as a female i always have at least one tampon in every purse as well as a pocket sized deodorant. I know i can survive a few more hours without creaming my hands and what the heck am i supposed to do with a Q-tip at a wedding?
13. Personalized and monogrammed items
People just don't care if a napkin is imprinted with your names and absolutely nobody wants to keep a favor that has
your monogram on it, so don't waste time and extra money on that. Something edible makes your guests happier.
14. Customized Water Bottle Labels
Nice, for sure. But thirsty people are only interested in what's inside the bottle and empty bottles will be thrown away, no matter how cute the label is. In other words: Your money will be thrown away. Save that money. Buy a regional product instead and help supporting your local economy.
15. Rent a tux/suit instead of buying.
16. A large portion of the wedding budget goes into the venue. Consider having a backyard wedding at a friend's or relative's house, get married in a public park or hold your ceremony in a local museum, library or a church's community center. Most public beaches are free as well and from what i have seen so far botanical gardens offer relatively low rates and most of them have a stunning greenhouse or lovely gazebo. Saying "I Do" between tropical plants, birds and butterflies sounds amazing!
If you want to get married in a hotel stay away from major chains.
Unfortunately brand chains don't really need you. If it's not your wedding they are hosting than it is someone else's event. They don't care.
Small and independent hotels are usually more affordable than those with a famous name and need your business. They still depend on establishing a good reputation, hence they are probably more willing to work with your budget and wishes.
17. Consider the option of an out-of-town wedding. You don't need to have a destination wedding in a foreign country, but if you live in a quite pricey region like a large city it might make sense to accept a one or two hour drive and tie the knot in a rural and less expensive area, e.g. rent the barn of a secluded farm.
18. Plan and buy anti-seasonal: Get married in winter or early spring. Rates are lower than during the peak months ( May through October) and chances are higher that your dream vendors are still available in off-season months. Having a christmas wedding next year? Buy the decoration after this year's christmas.
Easter blowout sales are perfect to buy pastel colored items like ribbons and silk flowers.
In general, end-of-season sales are the best way to save tons of money- prices are reduced drastically because stores
must get rid of these goods.
Constantly keep your eyes open for reduced items and become a regular visitor of thrift stores. But only buy an item when it's a real bargain and you know exactly that you need and are going to use it.
19. Borrow glassware, vases, cutlery and china from family and friends. Mismatched table decoration looks charming and doesn't cost you anything.
20. Be patient!
I know getting proposed to is extremely excited and you are dying to go shopping for the wedding when you see all those "Ooooh, soooo pretty" and "Awwww, must have this" bridal items in magazines and blogs.
But don't rush things, especially when you have a long engagement and lots of time to plan your event. I can almost guarantee that you are going to change your mind about colors, themes, your attire and accessories at least once before the wedding. ( Unless you are one of those brides who have been planning everything since kindergarten).
Shop in a logical order. Don't buy a veil before you go dress shopping, just because it is "goooorgeous and such a steal" and you can't wait to feel like a bride. It will most certainly clash with your dress and you will need to buy another one.
I bought almost everything twice. I bought a few dresses, two veils, two pairs of shoes and also two hair flowers but then decided to make a third one. All those multiple items weren't expensive but like i mentioned above, small sums add up and in the end i spent more than originally intended. I wasted money because i did not have a clear vision of what i wanted.
Wait until you have set a date, found a venue and determined a certain style to avoid senseless " i
might be able to use it" impulse buying.
P.S. One more aspect to think about:
Always keep in mind the real meaning of a wedding.
You are not entering an “event of the year” contest and it’s not your top priority to be featured on an awesome blog.
Don’t pressure yourself with the thought of having to have an extraordinary event.
Don’t overrun your budget because you feel like you must include never-seen-before elements.
Guests are there to celebrate with you and simply want to have a good time.
You are there to be married to the love of your life!
