A Guide to Saving Money on Your Wedding

Your wedding should be the happiest day of your life; you shouldn’t have to worry about large amounts of debt that can quickly pile up. There are some simple things you can do to save costs and have a beautiful wedding. Let’s learn some of the most effective ways to save money without sacrificing quality on your wedding day.

Color Scheme

Use neutrals in your color scheme. Okay, we know that white and off-white are still used in most weddings, but if you are using 3 colors, choose another neutral, such as taupe or gray and a more vibrant color, such as peach. Neutrals are not considered specialty colors, and thus, are easy to find when it comes to decor, tablecloths and other wedding accessories. The more you use neutrals in your color scheme, the less likely you are to have to special order other colors, which costs more money – neutrals are easier to match.

Venue

Wedding Venues can be expensive. Some weddings could have as many as 3 separate venues: one for the ceremony, one for wedding photos, and another for the wedding reception. Keep it simple by keeping the venues close together or consider a facility with separate space for a ceremony and reception, such as a church. This will not only save you money, as most community centers and churches have one flat fee for use of the facility, but it will also save you time and hassle, as you and your wedding party won’t have to worry about running back and forth between two or more separate wedding venues.

If you know someone with access to a venue, ask them if you can obtain a reduced rate. Some of the prettiest weddings are in a family member’s back yard. Don’t be afraid to be creative!

Wedding Dress

Let’s face it, you want to look unforgettably beautiful on your wedding day, but you don’t want to spend most of your budget on a dress, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Fall and winter are the best times to shop for a wedding dress, as last season’s dresses will a lot of times be reduced in price. Finding a well established bridal shop with caring employees can save you time and money as well.

If you are going for a traditional white or off-white dress, chances are, no one will know that you didn’t pay a ton of money. There are so many styles of wedding gowns available now, that there is a lot of cross-over between formal and bridal styles.

Wedding Planning

Wedding planning can be overwhelming and exhausting. Consider paying for a planning session with a wedding planner, to discuss local venues in your price range, budget, and reception costs. They can help eliminate a lot of non-essential items that will waste your budget and save you and your finance a lot of stress, and that is one thing that is worth spending money on.

Refreshments for your wedding reception can be costly and time-consuming. There are several ways to approach this aspect of your wedding without breaking the bank. If you’re not having a reception where people will be formally seated, then consider light refreshments. If you have family members with a talent for creating excellent cuisine, enlist them in helping create large batches of quiches and mini cheesecakes, some can be frozen a month in advance. They will taste amazing, and provide a great refreshment in addition to fruit and vegetable trays and of course, the wedding cake.

If you are planning to serve a full meal at your reception, keep the options simple. Grilled chicken, green beans, salads, and potatoes are less costly for caterers to prepare and a great option for many guests with dietary restrictions. Or choose a buffet style caterer where guests can serve themselves. This is a less costly alternative, as it requires less staffing.

Having a beautiful wedding doesn’t have to push your budget to the breaking point. By prioritizing where your money will go, and simplifying your venues and reception. You can still have a great wedding and reception that you and your guests will fondly remember for years to come!

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