Budget Friendly Tips to save money on your Wedding.
1. Save money on the flower girl dress by purchasing a pretty dress from a department store instead of a dress from a wedding boutique. You can also find a nice suit for the ring bearer on sale at a department store sometimes for less than the cost of a tux rental. This helps the parents of the children (who generally pay for the attire unless you offer to pick up the bill) save some money and an added bonus is they have a nice, usable dress/suit after the wedding.
2. Save money overall by choosing your wedding date carefully. Weddings during "off peak" times generally cost less. Having your wedding on a Friday (or other weekday) leaves you negotiating room with your vendors because they aren't in high-demand during the week. Often venues will waive the additional fee for renting the location for the rehearsal if it is held on a Thursday rather than a Friday or Saturday. Spring weddings will cost you more. Having your wedding during the winter or late summer can often leave you a little negotiating room with your vendors because wedding business is slow during these times of the year.
3. Save money on food by choosing the time of day very carefully. Weddings/receptions that occur during a meal time will cost you more because you are obligated to feed your guests either a sit-down meal or substantial finger foods (enough for each guest to make a meal out of). Having your wedding at 10:00am, 2:00pm, 4:00pm or 7:00pm can save on your food bill because you can serve cheese and crackers platters, fruit trays, nuts and punch. Choose a 10:00am or 4:00pm start time if you are planning on a very short, simple service followed by a short reception to allow your guests to leave to get lunch/dinner. Choosing 2:00pm gives you the ability to have more time for your ceremony and reception without having to feed your guests dinner. A 7:00pm wedding technically occurs after traditional dinner time but this may vary in different regions.
4. Consider your wedding party. You are responsible for their flowers, transportation and lodging if necessary, and a gift. Do you really need 9 bridesmaids? If possible, keep your wedding party down to 3 or 4 on each side. It will cut your expenses.
5. Save on flowers by using silk flowers. Either for all the arrangements or just some. You may choose use silks for the altar (which guests only see from a distance) and use real for the reception. You may choose to use silk for the wedding party bouquets and boutonierres and use real for the bride and groom's flowers. Or you could save more by using silk flowers for it all. It could cut your flower bill in half. Another tip: scatter a few strongly scented blooms throughout your silk arrangements. This will still give you the smell of fresh flowers but the savings of silk.
6. Dreaming of a large wedding cake on a small budget? Truth is, if you only have 100 guests you don't need a cake that feeds 250. But large wedding cakes a beautiful. If you want a 5-tier cake on a 2-tier budget or you just have your heart set on a certain cake that is more than you need, ask your baker to use "dummy tiers". They can be decorated just like regular take tiers but cost much less and your not left with a ton of leftover cake. Under all the icing and decorations, your guest will not be able to tell that the extra tiers aren't real cake!
I hope these tips help you save money on your special day