How to save money on a wedding

Ask yourself: what are my top three dream elements? Is the food most important? The wedding photos? The wedding dress and accessories? Craft your budget around what you know you want, to splurge there and cut back on some things that aren’t as important. The answers are going to be completely different for everyone, so there is no one size fits all here.

Here is a list of suggestions that may help. Feel free to take what suggestions work for you and boo hoo the rest.

The venue

Booking on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon or evening can be a big savings over the heftier Saturday night costs. Also consider a weekday or Thursday night wedding, which can shave up to 35% off your budget, and you and your guests get to enjoy a three-day weekend. (just make sure to send out save- the-dates first!).

Prices can be lower during the winter months and can add up to 25% off peek time. If doing all the photos at the venue this will save time and cost of hiring other areas. There are fees to take wedding pictures in most venues and parks these days so you could save a few hundred dollars here alone. Also see what’s included. Professional wedding venues will have centre piece options, chair options etc. This can save a pretty penny in hiring fees.

How to save money on a wedding flowers and decor

Flowers and arrangements are huge at the moment with many a bride loving floral walls. But there are so many ways to create a great affect while spending less. Put your money where guests spend time and are going to appreciate it. If you aren’t having a sit-down dinner, don’t use your flower budget on expensive table centrepieces. If you’re having a cocktail reception and everyone will be lined up at the bar, have your designer create a ‘wow’ floral piece in that area so guests enjoy it all night! If you concentrate the decor in one area instead of spreading it out around the room, this could easily save you 20% on your decor budget,” Let your floral pro suggest fabulous fillers. Grass and greenery gives a striking architectural look to centrepieces and costs 60 to 70% less than some flowers. Tall centrepieces on average start at approximately $150. You can easily save 50 to 60% by eliminating height, and adding an intimate feel with more candlelight or decor piece. Check out Kmart home wares department. There range is so up to date with fashion trends and are often seen in table decor settings.

Drinks

You don’t need to do a full open bar. Just provide a few signature drinks, and house wines and beers. Hard liquor is not a necessity at a wedding and can often drive up the cost. Plan a cocktail hour where you pass champagne or offer one signature cocktail, but then switch to just beer and wine at your reception. That will easily save a good 30% or more on your bar tab. We all love champagne, but limiting the reception toast to just the bride and groom can save a chunk of cash. With an average guest list of 140, you would save approximately $420 by not having a reception- wide toast.

How to save money on a wedding music

A DJ is often going to be a lot cheaper than a full band, and would probably save you 60% or so.
Check out local bands that haven’t made it big yet. Go out for drinks with the girls and scope out some local talent at the bars you frequent. If you have your heart set on one act, talk to them and see if a cash negotiation is possible.
Rather than have your DJ work the cocktail hour, ask the venue if they can stream in music from an iPod. Or, if you have a friend or family member who is a musician, try asking them to perform during cocktail hour. It adds a nice personal touch. Cutting out the DJ’s extra time can save good money per hour

How to save money on a wedding photography

Although this is really important cost there are a few things to consider.
Consult with photographers about your planned timeline. You may only need coverage through to the cake cutting and bouquet toss. (Or do a pretend cutting of the cake before the reception starts). After that point, many of your shots will be repetitive dancing shots. If everything is occurring in one location, a few hours less coverage might save you hundreds of dollars over a longer time frame.
Set up a Polaroid camera and book. What better way to get candid shots of your guests. Keep in mind those who have drunk too much may go crazy, so pass that camera on.