Trying to keep my wedding affordable!

Keep your guest count as low as possible. This is probably the #1 tip I keep seeing over and over.

I agree with Alyssa. That guest list can grow quickly, I had absolutely no intention of reaching anywhere near 100 people (I'm surprised I know that many!) along with a whole 30-40 we had to cut! In my area, "all-inclusive" venues are usually more expensive because they require the use of certain vendors that are generally more pricey. For that reason I'm always team blank slate venue, just a place for the event. Buffet style is almost always cheaper than sit down. I would definitely budget in a day-of-coordinator if you don't plan on getting a full wedding planner. We're also stocking our own bar (beer and wine only) and it's saving us close to $1,000!

We are having our ceremony in a park and that's saved us a ton of money ($20/hr). We are also stocking our own bar and have invited max 70 people. We are also doing BBQ for dinner which is pretty cheap.

My FH and I are also paying for this ourselves too, so far my corners that I have cut have been cash bar, ONLY doing flowers we NEED (my bouquet, my bridal party flowers, thr grooms bouitiner etc). Making my center pieces. Also like everyone elses is saying keep in small!

Don't do flowers. Limit the alcohol. Don't do favors. Borrow things from people so you don't have to buy it.

I'd definitely limit your guests to 50 if possible. Once it hits 75 it's very expensive and venues jump up In price. Look for a Sunday brunch wedding or a Thursday night for half priced venues. Don't have a full open bar unless you can find a venue that let's you bring the alcohol. Find a venue that let's you bring the food in. Consider cheaper cake options like rice krispy treat cakes, sheet cakes, cupcakes (I personally hate these, but that's just me), buy individual desserts from a bakery like image attached, brownies or a cookie bar. Skip favors or do something cheap. We bought 60 glass jars with cork lids on Amazon for $17 and we'll fill them with sixlets candy for favors. I found that ordering flowers off wholesale sites is even cheaper than fake flowers. Fabulous florals, Sam's club, or grocery store are good flower options. Try to repurpose decor. My bridesmaids bouquets will be plopped in vases for reception decor. My centerpieces are minimal, votive candles and flower petals.

You can do email save the dates and you could print or make your own invitations.

Basically limit everything you do LOL

Figure out what's going to be the most important part of the day and go from there. Our focus was faith, food, family, and photos.

Thrift stores have been my best friends.

Our wedding is going to cost $1,500.

We limited decor to basically nothing, just bouquets, bouts, and corsages.

Bought our day of outfits at the thrift store.

Negotiated with vendors for a free ceremony space.

Are having a restaurant reception without dancing.

We found a photographer who is building her portfolio.

Limited our guest list to 30 people

Keep guest count low. Catering eats up most of the budget so the lower you keep the guest list the cheaper it is. Also look for sample sales for your dress, you can save hundreds or even thousands on a dress. Also if you can ditch hiring transportation and instead have your wedding party carpool in a couple cars, that help save us about $1000

Skip save-the-dates. they are an un-needed budget waste. If most people you know are online, you can do a Wedding event page on Facebook. I did and it was a huge hit. You get a guest count, people seem to like to be kept updated to.

Get your invites online at a site like Ann's Bridal bargains. I got 75 invites, 75 RSVP's, & 75 inner and outer envelopes for around 60 bucks.

Use Amazon. I got my bouquet, MOH and bridesmaid bouquets, flowers for the guys and my groom and a toss bouquet for all for under 70. I also got all my plates, cups, silverware and napkins on there. I also got my belt, hair clip, necklace for my MOH, my shoes, her shoes, some gems for the centerpieces, flameless candles, sweetheart table tablecloth, aisle runner, guest book, and other stuff

Consider community centers. We got ours for 275 for 10 hours. We have to set up and take down ourselves, but can't beat that price! We bring in out own food and drinks too and that helps.

My cousin just had BYOB reception. City owned buildings have lower rental rates but no perks usually. Find a venue that lets you bring your own food if caterer and same with alcohol. If you are okay having a very small event, do just aunts uncles etc but no cousins. You can limit the guest list. Or say just a small family wedding. I’ve seen people do succulents for the flowers or the local grocery store does affordable florals. You can buy a gently used or like new wedding dress. Something that is helping me out personally is to have a no interest credit card to help pay down some larger bills. Someone once got very upset I suggested a credit card. It’s working for me and I’m not telling anyone you have to get a credit card. I’m not in debt I’m borrowing from myself slowly with no interest fees so I can pay at my own pace. Back to venues, There’s a free chapel near where I live so I’m sure some exist. You might could find a family member with a yard or a place you wouldn’t have to pay for.
My last advice is book on a off day in an off season. You might get a discount from photographer or other vendors for this. My photo and makeup people are both offering me a discount for an “off day” wedding. Some venues offer incentives based on season or even time of day. I’ve seen brunch weddings on a Sunday. You could feed them coffee, breakfast etc.

Hi date twin!! One thing I know to save money on for wedding cake is to get a small tier cake to cut and have the rest as cupcakes or sheet cakes cut which can easily shave off a couple hundred dollars if not more.

I am also realizing floral centerpieces, even faux, are expensive. You can keep it very simple with a couple flowers or baby breaths or non floral centerpieces to save hundreds. Am I going this route though? Not sure yet because I just love how flowers look lol. I might do something simple with a single flower...

Consider Friday weddings with a late ceremony or a Sunday brunch wedding if you’re not big drinkers. Smaller guest lists are also a huge factor in cost.

Talk to other brides and see where they got their stuff and compare prices. See if anyone has things to borrow.

Search for your wedding dress at discounted/gently used shops or at stillwhite.com

Thats all I have. I’m learning as I go. I realize I kind of have expensive taste lol

Also, consider candy buffet or something edible as favors or forego them. No one really cares lol

If you still want flowers but don't want to spend a ton on them, I've noticed that buying dried flowers in bulk is cheaper than fresh flowers. It also gives you a better variety as they last longer and you don't have to pay more depending on what's in season.

Doing your own hair/makeup or having a friend do it is also a good way to save money.

Having just a photographer instead of a videographer saves as well.

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If you're willing to have dried flowers for decorations instead of fresh ones you can save money by bulk ordering those, plus you don't have to worry about keeping them fresh and can store them for longer.