A Grand Wedding Reception On A Small Budget

Planning a wedding reception can be expensive, but there are ways to make it awesome without breaking the bank. Here are some money-saving tips:

- Choose a non-traditional venue like a public park, back garden, village hall, or art gallery.

- Opt for an off-peak season like winter, and avoid Saturdays which are the most common and expensive days for weddings.

- Keep the guest list small to reduce costs on food, drinks, and seating.

- Instead of a sit-down dinner, serve cake, drinks, and finger foods, or make it a potluck and ask family and friends to bring a dish.

- Buy or rent a second-hand wedding dress or suit from thrift stores, or opt for affordable options from retailers like ASOS, Zara, or Nordstrom.

- DIY your wedding decorations, invitations, and favours, or buy from dollar stores and craft stores.

- Hire a DJ instead of a band, or create your own playlist.

- Provide your own alcohol and only serve beer and wine, or make it a cash bar.

- Keep the reception short and sweet to save on costs.

With a bit of creativity and planning, you can have an awesome wedding reception without spending a fortune.

Choose a non-traditional venue

The venue is often the most significant expense when planning a wedding. If you're looking to save money, it's a good idea to consider a non-traditional venue. Here are some suggestions and tips to help you find the perfect spot for your special day:

• Backyard or garden weddings: If you, your parents, or close friends have a decent-sized backyard or garden, this can be a great option. Make sure you have enough space for your guest list and consider renting a tent, chairs, and tables if needed.
• Public spaces: Parks, beaches, and other public spaces can be beautiful and affordable options for your wedding ceremony and reception. Keep in mind that you may need permits or reservations for certain locations.
• Warehouses and village halls: These spaces often don't host weddings, so they may be more affordable. Look for unique warehouses or village halls in your area that can accommodate your guest list.
• Bars and pubs: Some bars and pubs may let you use their function rooms for free if you spend a certain amount on drinks. This can be a great option if you're looking for a more casual and intimate setting.
• Vacation rentals: If you live near a popular vacation spot, consider renting a home for your wedding during the offseason. This can be a great way to find a beautiful location with both indoor and outdoor space.
• Art galleries, bed and breakfasts: These non-traditional venues may be more affordable than typical wedding venues. Reach out and inquire about their rates and availability.
• Local breweries: Ask your local brewery if they'd be open to hosting your wedding. It could be a unique and fun setting, and they might be willing to offer a good deal.
• Restaurants: Instead of renting a separate venue for the reception, consider having your ceremony at a town hall or a small space and then heading to your favourite restaurant for a celebratory meal.

When choosing a non-traditional venue, don't be afraid to think outside the box and explore options beyond the typical wedding spaces. By choosing a unique and affordable venue, you'll be able to allocate more of your budget to other aspects of your special day.

Opt for a potluck

Potlucks are a great way to save money on catering costs. Ask your family members or bridal party to bring a dish to the reception. This can be a fun and interactive way to involve your loved ones in the wedding preparations. It also adds a personal touch to the celebration.

If you have a small guest list, you could also consider asking your foodie friends or family members who are talented cooks to contribute a dish. Many people are happy to help in this way, and it can be a fun way for them to show their love and support.

To make it easier for your contributors, you could suggest a theme or type of dish for them to prepare. For example, you could have a buffet-style meal with dishes from different cultures or a particular type of cuisine that you and your partner enjoy.

Another idea is to ask each guest to bring a dish that has a special meaning to them. This could be a family recipe, a dish from their cultural heritage, or simply something that they love to make and share.

If you want to ensure a variety of dishes, you can create a sign-up sheet or online document where guests can indicate what they plan to bring. This will help to avoid ending up with multiple versions of the same dish.

To add a special touch, you could provide decorative serving dishes, platters, or chafing dishes to elevate the presentation of the potluck items.

By opting for a potluck, you can significantly reduce the cost of catering and create a warm and intimate atmosphere at your wedding reception. It's a wonderful way to celebrate with your loved ones while staying within your budget.

Make it a cash bar

One way to save money on your wedding day is to have a cash bar. This is where guests pay for their drinks themselves, but you can also have a limited or ticketed version.

The pros

The stand-out advantage of a cash bar is that it saves money. If you aren't paying to stock a bar with liquor, wine, and beer, you're cutting out a significant expense from your catering budget. It also allows couples who don't drink to stay true to their values while still giving their guests the option to imbibe.

The cons

The biggest disadvantage of a cash bar is that it goes against the core tenets of hospitality. As the host, you should be prepared to cover the cost of your guests' drinks. Cash bars can also interrupt the flow of the evening, as bartenders mixing drinks and running cards will result in long lines.

Tips and etiquette

• Inform your guests in advance – It's important to be upfront with your attendees so they can determine how much alcohol they want to drink and prepare in advance. It's also a good idea to include this information on your wedding website and invitations.
• Skip the tip jar – Gratuity is usually included in the final reception bar bill, so asking guests to tip is unnecessary and inconvenient.
• Designate a cut-off person – Even with a cash bar, designate someone to cut off guests who are drinking too much.
• Provide other options – If you don't want to serve spirits, you can offer beer and wine, or only your signature drink.

Invitation wording

• "We're beyond excited to celebrate with you on our special day! We're hosting a delicious dinner but unfortunately, will not be able to host the bar. So, please bring cash or a credit card for the cash bar if you want to indulge in any alcoholic beverages."
• "Dinner's on us. Drinks are on you. So, if you want to consume, bring a buck or two (or a credit card)."
• "Our wedding will be beautiful and our reception fun. With drinks, bring cash if you want more than one."

Choose a non-traditional wedding cake

If you're looking to make your wedding reception awesome without breaking the bank, one way to do it is by choosing a non-traditional wedding cake. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Cupcakes: Instead of a large tiered cake, opt for cupcakes. You can display them creatively, like on a custom stand or in an ombré pattern.
• Cake Pops: These are a great choice if you want something portable and they can be crafted to match any colour scheme.
• Macaron Towers: Macarons are a crowd-pleasing French pastry that can be displayed beautifully. Consider a custom stand to turn them on edge and stack them in a unique pattern.
• Donut Walls: Donuts are a popular choice for weddings, and you can display them in a pyramid shape to resemble a traditional wedding cake while still being unique.
• Oreo Cookie Confections: Offer your guests a treat made with your favourite cookie, like Oreo cookies.
• Rice Krispie Treats: These can be made in advance and decorated to look like a traditional wedding cake, or you can get creative and add mix-ins like Fruity Pebbles.
• Cheesecake: A versatile option that can be filled with just about anything. For a unique twist, try a blueberry cheesecake.
• Ice Cream Sandwiches: Perfect for a summer wedding, serve up a few flavours of ice cream sandwiches from your favourite parlor.
• Mini Pies: Whether you choose fruit-filled or custard-filled, mini pies are a great way to offer a variety of flavours that your guests will love.
• Pancakes: For a unique twist on the traditional cake, stack pancakes of different sizes and have the couple pour syrup together for a photo-worthy moment.
• Cheese Wheels: A unique option for couples who prefer savoury over sweet. Stack cheese wheels to create a "cake" that anchors your charcuterie-inspired display.

DIY your wedding favours

Wedding favours are a great way to thank your guests for attending your wedding. Here are some DIY ideas for wedding favours that won't break the bank:

• Personalised cake pops: Bake cake pops from scratch or use a boxed cake mix, then dip them in coloured chocolate or roll them in sprinkles.
• 'Lucky in Love' scratch cards: A cheap and cheerful option that your guests will surely enjoy.
• Homemade bath bombs: Get creative and add glitter, colours, and your favourite scents.
• 'Choose Your Own Cookies' station: Set up a station with different types of cookies so guests can choose their favourites.
• Homemade seed packets: Include seeds from your bridal bouquet or plants that represent your marriage.
• Wine stopper stamps: Clean and save corks from wine bottles, then carve personalised designs into the softer part of the cork.
• Personalised chocolate bars: Get creative and add names, colours, or yummy extras to the chocolate bars.
• 'Happy Tears' tissue packets: Help your guests avoid runny mascara and blotchy noses during the ceremony and reception.
• Mini personalised candles: Melt soy wax and add colours, scents, and decorative bits to small tins, mason jars, or tea light moulds.
• 'His and Her' mini spirit bottles: Buy small bottles and fill them with your favourite spirits. You can add personalised labels or leave them as they are.
• Homemade jam: Make a big batch of your favourite flavour jam and fill small glass jars for your guests to enjoy.
• Wedding favour coasters: Use cardboard or soft plastics to design coasters that fit the style of your wedding.
• 'His and Her' favourite cocktail kits: Buy small cans of mixers and tie small bottles of spirits to them, so guests can make their own drinks.
• Homemade confetti cones: Make your own confetti from dried flowers, leaves, ribbon, or cotton, and put them in small handmade cones or a large bucket for guests to take a handful.
• Birdseed hearts: Bind leftover birdseed with honey and an egg white, spread the mixture onto a baking sheet and cut out heart shapes. Poke a hole in each heart so your guests can hang them up.
• 'His and Her' favourite sweet bags: Fill small bags with your favourite sweets and place them on a sweet table or on each seat for your guests.
• Kid's colouring books and crayons: Keep the kids entertained during the wedding with small colouring books and crayons. You can even decorate a table specifically for the kids to bunch together and have fun.

Remember, it's your unique wedding, so feel free to get creative and choose DIY projects that reflect your personality and style!

Frequently asked questions