Where to save??

Skip STD's and cut back on the flowers to wearable/carrying flowers for the bridal party (afterall, they will die)

Skip favors or do something very small.

You can save a ton by buying stuff from other brides on Facebook Marketplace! Our venue supplies a lot of decorations, but I got other signs and all our centerpieces for the tables from brides that were getting rid of them for a fraction of the cost. Greenery can be a lot less expensive than flowers a lot of times. I'm having some flowers but am only doing greenery for the centerpieces. Look on Groupon for things too! I'm doing my STD from a site off Groupon & only paid $27.99 for 175 of them + $9.99 in shipping, which came out way cheaper than other places!

We saved over $200 by doing online RSVP’s through our website instead of printed RSVP’s. We are also not doing programs or providing transportation for guests to & from the hotels.

For us we are doing a weekday wedding (Friday), one bridesmaid, one best-me, adults only wedding, a lot of diy. For us photographer and videographer they are very important vendors because honestly we are going to relive our wedding day through pictures and the video so we went with people that we loved their work but also we didn’t want anything crazy expensive, it took me awhile to find them but it was worth it, also talk them about your budget and see if they can work something out for you!

We're not doing a videographer, and let me tell you, we met at work, which was a photography studio. We're getting a great photographer--having connections is honestly GREAT in this scenario, or we'd be screwed with that too. I know a lot of people try to say that you "have to" get a videographer or you'll be missing out, but to be honest, I've only known 1 couple who used a videographer, and after all that, they only really watched it once. There are just so many more ways you can use your photography.

I haven't been able to cut costs tremendously due to the fact that I've just accepted that this day is going to be the most expensive day of my life. Lol. One thing I am doing, however, is buying all of my flowers wholesale and making all bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces myself. They're SUPER easy to do and there's plenty of tutorials on YouTube to help. The ladies and I are also just going to do our own hair and makeup as well.

Also, Zazzle for save the dates, invitations, RSVPs, enclosure cards, etc. They're always having 50% off sales, so I just stalk the website (and my email) until they're doing a sale.

We spent WAY more on photographer than we anticipated and we are happy with our decision but did have to save elsewhere. We decided to forgo favors and programs and spent less on invitations, center pieces, and invitations than we planned.

I chose a venue that was a packaged deal. It included centerpieces, open bar, ceremony and reception etc.

You don't have to use the photographer from sun up to sun down, that is way major way to save money. Same for the videographer and shop around. I refused to spend thousands of dollars on those two and I am getting both for about $650. Sams club cake. No favors as others have said. Online invites might be risky. But Friday night ceremony or Sunday brunch. Or just brunch all together so the endless night of alcohol is not expected. LOL

Cut out on invitations and save the dates along with Décor. Search goodwill stores and look for as much used décor as you can! I am doing the same thing.. my wedding is this august and I'm looking at my budget wanting to die for how much i've spent lol

My FH wanted a photographer and a videographer. I just wanted a photographer because I didn't think we would sit through watching the wedding more than once. We were going to hire a photographer who also had someone to be a videographer. He was going to charge us an amount that was reasonable (after thinking about it his price was way too cheap for everything). Anyway we had problems with him communicating with us, and we never got a detailed estimate and/or signed a contract, so we decided not to go with him. My FH lives next door to a photographer so he talked to him, and he said he would give us a good deal. This photographer travels around the world to take photos and his photos are amazing. This photographer is going to charge us slightly more than the other photographer (plus videographer), but he only does photos. My FH and I talked about it and decided to just have a photographer. We know that we are going to have great photos to remember the day, so a videographer isn't necessary. We did take some time to look around for a videographer, but couldn't rationalize spending a few thousand on one.

No favors, one board for menu/program/seating chart, no save the dates or DIY'd, small to no cocktail hour? Find deals and take your time selecting as you may find a good black friday deal or so.

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So true! I think photographer is very important because it;s your memories. That's what will live on forever. Everything else will come and go

Cut down on guests, consider not getting programs.

Get a photographer who does it on the side, because they love taking pictures. You can look for them on FB marketplace or just on FB.

I love people's responses about favors; they mostly start out with "no one takes the favor" and end with "so I'm doing this, it's so cute and/or practical" like that's probably what other people thought when they bought their favors that no one took lol