Saving money

If you haven’t sent save the dates I would cut the guest list as that is the best way to save money. Also if your venue allows you to bring in your own caterer Mexican/bbq/Italian restaurants are usually cheapest. Have minimal decor, skip paper products, buy a dress off the rack or pre-owned, hire a photographer for only a few hours, and have a playlist instead of a DJ. Also for the shower that isn’t something that should be hosted by you so you don’t need to purchase things for it. As far as your budget that should be how much money you have currently or can realistically save not just a number you choose.

Your budget should be based on how much you can save, not vice versa. We figured up our budget by calculating how much we could realistically save each month, then multiplying it by the number of months until the wedding. Kelly provided some great money saving tips, but I think you should be more realistic about your budget.

Ann’s bridal bargains has good invitations/save the dates. I did my save the dates using a template from wedding chicks and printed during a $.01 print sale at Walgreens. Something Borrowed Blooms has rentable faux florals. Check out amazon for veils rather than paying bridal salon prices.

This may not be the advice you want to hear and the unpopular opinion, but I recommend you save for a house instead or an actual investment. Have a courthouse wedding instead or simply a mini wedding with no more than 20 guests.

I’ve seen countless women admit that they regret having a $10,000 to $30,000 wedding, I have not met a couple who told me that they regret a courthouse wedding.
I’ve even met people who tell me they are still paying debt off that they accumulated from a wedding and they are already divorced!

I recommend checking out a budgeting program called YNAB (you need a budget). Their website is YNAB.com. It’s amazing how much you can save when you start giving every dollar a job.

I took on a side job and the money from thst was exclusively for the wedding

Cut guest list down to whoever you won't be upset if you didn't see them on your night. i set up an automatic withdrawl of money into a bank account when i got paid so i didn't miss the money. when you see sales, get stuff you want when you see it, don't wait. join FB wedding buy, sale, trade sites. i found a lot of decorations for cheap on there. make your flowers part real/fake. saves a ton! get you cake from costco, etc. cheaper but still so good! etsy has cheap paper invites, etc.