21 Easy ways to cut back wedding expenses
1. Do your research. Give yourself plenty of time to research wedding expenses in your area. Be aware of costs before you set a budget so that (a) your budget is realistic which aids you in not overspending and (b) helps you be a better bargain shopper.
2. Comparison shop. Take time to interview as many wedding vendors as you can. Ask about any specials or discounts they may have available. You'd be surprised at how much you can save simply by asking for discounts but always remember the lowest price is not always the best service. Compare prices with service and reputation before you make your final decision.
3. Avoid impulse buys and pressured purchases. Don't fall prey to pushy salespeople and don't make hasty purchases without evaluating how the item or service fits into your budget and overall wedding scheme. Even if you’re on a tight time schedule, give yourself a days cooling off period to really think about the purchase.
4. Be flexible. Your ability to save money is directly related to your ability to be flexible. Prioritize which things you are willing to negotiate and which are absolutes. For example, do you absolutely have to have a June wedding? Are willing to get married on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon to get a cheaper venue rental rate. Do you really need those expensive chair covers and sashes ?
5. Streamline your guest list. The more people you invite to your wedding, the more invitations, postage, favors, drinks, meals, table settings, etc., you”ll need. By eliminating only 5 - 10 people from your guest list, you”ll save significant amounts of money from the very beginning. Example, by cutting back 10 guests:
- 10 x $40 per person catering = $400
- 10 x $8.00 per person beverages = $80
- 10 x $4.00 for invite & postage = $40
- 1 x $45 for 1 table, 10 chair & linen rentals = $45
- 10 x $1.50 for favors = $15.00
Total Saved = $580.00
6. Buy a white bridesmaid’s dress - many bridesmaid designers offer their gowns in white or ivory. For around $250 or less you can find gorgeous gowns in a multitude of sizes and styles.
7. Shop around for the best alterations pricing - though your bridal salon may offer an alterations service, they may not offer the best deals.
8. The Internet is your pal - shop online for your gown. You may be surprised at the discounts online shops can give you.
9. Hire a wedding planner! While it might seem like an unnecessary expense or an expense you just can't afford keep in mind they are expert price and contract negotiators and can often get you steep discounts and freebies in addition to peace of mind on your big day (which in it's self can be priceless).
10. Skip the favors. While they’re a lovely way to give a little thanks to your guests, they're totally unnecessary. Few people will notice or care that they are missing and (Gasp!) most get thrown away.
11. Forgo buying special bride & groom toasting flutes. Simply use the same champagne flutes your guests use. Have the caterer tie a simple ribbon around the stem of each if you want to dress it up a bit.
12. Fancy ink pens for your guest book can be pricey. Simple, regular ink pens are just fine - and better guaranteed to work. And, really, no one cares what your pen looks like. (Put a few of them in a pretty container in case people walk away with them.
13. Take Advantage of Your Season. By using “in season” items, you save money by not buying harder-to-find items. This is especially true for flowers and food. Tulips, for example, are a spring crop and are cheaper from February through April. You can still get them in August, but you pay a premium price. The same is true for vegetables. If your heart is set for asparagus in December, you’ll generally pay more than you would in May, at the height of asparagus season.
14. Cut bar costs - Champagne toasts, wine with dinner and an open bar can ratchet up the reception costs. A champagne-punch fountain is considerably cheaper than glasses of champagne all around. Limiting the alcohol choices to beer and wine can also save money.
15. A DJ can be a less-expensive alternative to a band, which can cost $3000 to $10,000 for a Saturday night.
16. Transportation costs can be cut by renting a limousine for the bridal couple only and having the rest of the bridal party use their own cars.
17. Cut decorating costs by using candles instead of floral arrangements on the tables, but first check be sure to check with your venue to make sure candles are okay or if additional insurance is required.
18. Let your floral arrangements do double duty and move them from ceremony to reception instead of purchasing arrangements for both sites. Also have bridesmaids flowers do double duty by putting them in pretty vases on the head table.
19. Don’t assume you’ll save on wait staff if you choose stationary hors d’oeuvres like crudites and cheese and crackers. Talk with your caterer about cost differences between stationary and passed hors d’oeuvres, and more affordable ingredients.
20. Limit the number of attendants you have. This will reduce your flower bill (bridesmaid's bouquets can be very expensive), the number of attendant gifts that you’ll have to purchase, the of cost of the rehearsal dinner, transportation costs, etc.
21. Don’t get into debt for this day. Though you’re looking for ways to save money now, this will save you money for the rest of your married life. While using credit cards is a great idea for deposits, using them to pay for all of your expenses and not paying the total balance each month is the wrong way to begin your married life. If you put $25,000 on your credit card with the average 14 percent interest rate and only pay the minimum payment of 1.5 percent required each month, it will take you 100 years to pay it off!
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