Money saving tips!

The best, and most obvious, way to save is keeping your guest list to a minimum. Friday and Sunday weddings are cheaper than Saturdays. Many venues and vendors have peak season pricing that’s higher than the rest of the year. Keeping your wedding party small can save on gifts and the rehearsal dinner. Italian and BBQ are typically the most inexpensive catering options. Skip optional things like signage, favors, photo booths, etc. You can find great secondhand deals on wedding decor on Facebook marketplace. If you’re doing any DIY, sign up for email alerts from michael’s and hobby lobby. Definitely take advantage of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals coming up. Speaking of DIY, really donors prices before committing to projects. Some things really are cheaper to buy than to make. Some things (like napkins) are cheaper to buy than to rent.

I borrowed a lot of things from people aha. That way I didn't have to buy certain things.

I have an Amazon credit card and I use it for grocery shopping and whatnot. I used the points on Amazon to buy things like a guest book and pen, cake topper, bridesmaid gifts, etc. It makes those items essentially free. I used my other credit card rewards for gift cards to buy other items at Burlington like cocktail dresses (for engagement party, and rehearsal dinner), I could have also gotten gift cards to Michaels for DIYs.

We also took advantage of 4 year no interest financing from our jeweler when we bought our rings. It doesn't necessarily save money but you don't have to spend it all at once.

I bought a ton of things from other brides on FB Marketplace and local wedding FB groups! That saved a ton of money! I got everything from my centerpieces, to wooden signs, chargers, and even my wedding dress (it was brand new without alterations -- the bride just decided to wear another dress) on there. tableclothsfactory.com has great prices on linens if you need to get any (and they'll give you 10% off your first order when you sign up for their email list). We're using hard plastic plates, cups, and utensils (Amazon & Webstraunt have a ton). I, also, bought some decorations from Etsy sellers while they had sales! I, also, did a TON of research into different companies before I booked a vendor to make sure I was getting a great deal (while still getting great quality services).

See if any friends have things like table linens or decor items. My bridesmaids aunt (I've known bridesmaid since age 11) is a wedding extraordinaire and LOVES to decorate and plan weddings. She is going to be doing the decorating and is letting me borrow a majority of what I'd need decor wise. Saving us a ton!

Enlist friends and family to help.

a shuttle from hotel to venue was very expensive. We rented two vans and hired family friends to drive guests back and forth. More flexibility and much cheaper.

we are having a pig roast and buying bulk side dishes from a local market. My future nieces will be supervising the buffet line.

we are buying our own alcohol and only having beer and wine.

small guest list.

I had a very pretty wedding for under $1,500

-Kept guest list to 30 people

-Friday Wedding

-Minimal decor. For our ceremony we didn't even do pew bows just bouquets, bouts, and corsages. We utilized the natural ambiance of the sanctuary.

-Hit up Michaels door buster sale for the flowers we did have.

-Second hand is my best friend.

- Held our reception in a restaurant. This also saved on decor because we didn't need any. the restaurant provided linens and centerpieces.

-Brunch food, heavy on the cake.

-Did not have a traditional wedding cake. We had one large cake, one pie, and a small decorated cake with an edible topper.

- I went to Great Clips, which is a chain salon, to get my and my daughter's hair done.

-Skipped all printable items. No paper invites, programs, menus, etc.

-Skipped alcohol

-Skipped DJ/ Dancing. My mom brought her large Bluetooth speaker so we had music. Our reception was mid-day so it wasn't a huge blown out affair.

-Our photographer was running a special the month prior on her services. She's just starting out and building a portfolio. We utilized her services for just the ceremony and formal family photos.

-My dress came from the Wish app. So did my daughter's.

Limit floral arrangements/decorations.

Serve only beer/wine, or don't have alcohol (just no cash bar!!!!!)

limit guest list

have wedding at a non-meal time (like 2pm, or 8pm) so you dont' have to serve a full meal

Dont be afraid to shop the dollar tree for decor pieces (vases, glasses, plates etc) they have some good finds!

View Quoted Comment This is a great one that I missed mentioning. Thanks.

I'm saving money by buying most of my decor either at Dollar Tree, or second hand from Facebook Marketplace. If items (candles, vases, lights, greenery) were only used once at someone else's wedding, they may as well be brand new. So, I'm snapping up all the deals I can find.

1. Fake flowers

2. Dress from a pop-up sample sale

3. Videographer was a friend/coworker who is a filmmaker and wanted to try wedding videos as a side gig

4. Got some referrals on the DJ and photographer from previous clients/friends in the industry. Apparently this gave us some discounts? MUA was also a friend who gave me a discount

5. Vigorously refused to have anything at the wedding that we didn't remember/adore from other people's weddings (photo booth, fancy linens, signature drinks, etc.)

6. Michael's/DIY stuff

I'm doing DIY florals from Fifty Flowers. I originally had a budget of $1500 for my dress and $1400 for flowers. I ended up finding my dream dress at $1800, had another consultation with Fifty Flowers, and they helped me shave a few hundred off by choosing more cost efficient flowers. My florals are now costing around $1000 for 7 bouquets, brides bouquet, 14 boutonnieres, 4 corsages, 22 centerpieces, 25 ft garland, cake flowers, and two large arrangements for wine barrels. We'll have a flower arranging party the evening before the wedding. I've also gotten lots of used decor off FB marketplace. I spent $100 on 75 high end cylinder vases. The bartending service we hired allows you to bring in your own alcohol so we're buying in bulk and getting a steal. Also opting to do wine, beer, and two signature drinks instead of a full bar.