Affordable Weddings: Tips To Save Money On Your Big Day

Planning a wedding can be an expensive and daunting task. In the US, the average wedding costs just under $34,000, but there are ways to make it more affordable. Here are some tips to help you plan a memorable celebration without breaking the bank:

- Know your budget and where the money is coming from: Figure out how much you and your partner can contribute, and if any family members or loved ones are willing to help financially.

- Prioritize: Decide what aspects of the wedding are most important to you and allocate your budget accordingly.

- Minimize the guest list: A smaller guest list can significantly reduce costs, including venue, food, beverages, and invitations.

- Choose an affordable venue: Opt for a venue close to home or consider a town hall ceremony followed by dinner at a restaurant.

- Time it right: Wedding costs vary by season, with January to March being the most affordable months in most locations. Fridays, Sundays, and weekdays are also typically cheaper than Saturdays.

- DIY and thrift: Look for second-hand wedding dresses or suits at thrift stores, and explore affordable options for decorations, such as dollar stores or buying decor items in bulk.

- Simplify catering: Opt for a food truck, ask friends or family to help with food, or choose a favourite family-owned restaurant instead of a traditional wedding caterer.

- Cut back on alcohol: Provide champagne for a toast, but consider making the bar cash-only or skipping hard liquor.

- Get creative with desserts and favours: Explore affordable options like cupcakes, pies, or homemade cookies instead of an expensive wedding cake.

Venue, catering and rentals

Venue, Catering, and Rentals

The venue, catering, and rentals will likely take up a large chunk of your wedding budget, so it's important to be mindful of costs when planning these aspects of your wedding. Here are some tips to keep costs down:

Venue

• Consider a non-traditional venue: Instead of a hotel ballroom or banquet hall, opt for a community centre, park, barn, historical site, city hall, library, museum, cafe, restaurant, bar, or even your own backyard. These venues often have lower rental fees.
• Choose an affordable location: Wedding venues in major cities tend to be more expensive than those in rural areas. Opting for a venue outside the city can help you save money.
• Pick an off-peak date: Saturday nights during peak season are the most expensive. Consider a weekday wedding during the off-peak season to get better rates.
• Combine ceremony and reception venue: Using the same venue for both can save you money on transportation and rental costs.
• Negotiate: Don't be afraid to negotiate with the venue. Ask about potential discounts and be open about your budget.
• Trim the guest list: Larger venues that accommodate more people will cost more. Inviting fewer guests can help you save.
• Choose a venue with in-house catering and rentals: Using the venue's in-house services can sometimes be more affordable than hiring external vendors.

Catering

• Opt for a food truck: Food trucks are a great way to save on catering costs. They are typically cheaper than traditional caterers, and you won't have to pay extra for kitchen infrastructure.
• Choose a less formal service style: Plated meals are the most expensive service style. Consider more affordable options like buffets, family-style service, or cocktail-style receptions with bite-sized hors d'oeuvres.
• Limit the bar offerings: A full open bar is the most expensive option. Consider offering only beer and wine, or a limited selection of signature cocktails.
• Cut the guest list: Catering costs are typically calculated per person, so reducing the number of guests will help you save.
• Shop around for caterers: Get quotes from multiple vendors and negotiate to get the best price.

Rentals

• Choose a venue with included rentals: Some venues include tables, chairs, china, flatware, and linens in their package. Opting for such a venue can save you the cost of hiring an external rental company.
• Be mindful of hidden costs: Ask the venue coordinator about any additional fees, such as cake-cutting fees, corkage costs, service charges, and outside vendor fees.
• Compare rental companies: If you need to hire an external rental company, compare prices from different vendors to get the best deal.

Wedding planner/coordinator

A wedding planner or coordinator can be an invaluable asset in helping you to create a realistic budget and stick to it. They can also help you to identify areas where you can save money and still achieve your desired aesthetic.

When it comes to creating a budget, a wedding planner will first ask you to identify the sources of your wedding funds. This includes your savings, current income, and any contributions from family or loved ones. It is important to be realistic about these numbers and not to assume that others will contribute.

Next, a wedding planner will help you to establish your priorities and create a spending plan. They will work with you to decide how much to allocate to each category, such as venue, attire, flowers and decor, entertainment, transportation, and hair and makeup. For example, if having a large celebration with many guests is a priority, you may need to allocate less money to other areas, such as decor or attire.

A wedding planner can also help you to track your payments and balances and make a plan for handling any budget changes. They will keep you organised and ensure that you don't exceed your budget.

In addition to budget management, a wedding planner can also suggest ways to reduce costs without sacrificing style. For example, they may recommend choosing a venue with serious aesthetic appeal, such as a garden or gallery, which will require less additional decor. They can also suggest ways to repurpose design elements, such as using the same chairs for the ceremony and reception, or using your bridesmaids' bouquets as centrepieces for the reception tables.

Finally, a wedding planner can help you to navigate the often complex world of vendor contracts and pricing. They can explain any hidden costs or fees that you may not have considered, such as setup and breakdown fees or service fees and taxes. With their expertise, a wedding planner can help you to make informed decisions and stay within your budget.

Photography and videography

• Tap into your network: Ask friends and family if they know any professional or qualified amateur photographers and videographers. You may be able to get a discount, especially if they are a friend or former classmate. Recent film or visual arts graduates may also be willing to work for less to build their profile.
• Get multiple quotes: Research photographers and videographers in your area and request quotes. Compare packages and pricing to find the best deal. Attending a wedding fair is a great way to meet multiple providers and see what they offer.
• Look for custom packages: Preset packages often include unnecessary add-ons. Look for providers that offer custom packages where you can choose the services you want, such as the number of hours of coverage, specific shoot locations, or types of shots.
• Book a package deal: Some vendors offer combined photography and videography services at a discounted rate. This can save you hundreds of dollars compared to booking separate jobs.
• Choose local talent: Avoid non-local photographers and videographers, as they may charge extra for travel. Opt for local providers to save on these additional costs.
• Work with venue-preferred vendors: Wedding venues often have preferred or recommended photographers and videographers. These vendors may offer discounted services or special packages, and they will be familiar with the venue and the best spots for shots.
• Limit the hours of coverage: Determine how long you need the photographer and videographer to be present. You may not need full-day coverage, and shorter packages can save you money.
• Reduce staff size: For smaller weddings, you may only need a lead photographer or videographer without assistants. Ask about reducing the staff size to lower your costs.
• Choose digital files: Physical prints and albums can be expensive. Opt for digital files and online galleries instead, which are usually included in the package price.
• Crowdsourcing: Encourage guests to take photos and videos with their smartphones and share them on social media or a dedicated app. This can supplement professional photography and videography, giving you additional memories at no extra cost.

By following these tips, you can make your wedding photography and videography more affordable without compromising on quality or missing out on capturing those special moments.

Reception music and entertainment

When it comes to wedding entertainment, there are many options to choose from that won't break the bank. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Live Music

Live music is a traditional choice for wedding entertainment, and there are several affordable options to consider. Instead of hiring a large band, opt for a solo musician or a small ensemble. A pianist, saxophonist, harpist, or even a mariachi band can provide a unique and memorable performance for your guests. If you're set on having a larger band, consider hiring a group of local musicians, which can be more affordable than a well-known act.

DJs

DJs are another popular choice for wedding entertainment and can be more cost-effective than live bands. If you have a friend who is a DJ or has an extensive music collection, consider asking them to create a playlist or perform at your wedding. This personal touch can make your wedding more special, and it will likely cost less than hiring a professional.

Alternative Entertainment

If you want to stray from the traditional choices, there are plenty of unique entertainment options that can be tailored to your interests and budget. Consider hiring a caricature artist, magician, or even a photo booth for your guests to enjoy. Interactive activities like lawn games, a bouncy castle, or a vintage carousel can also be a fun and affordable way to keep your guests entertained.

Streamlined Music

If you want to focus your budget on other aspects of your wedding, you can streamline your music choices without sacrificing the celebration. Create a personalised playlist of your favourite songs and use a portable speaker system to play them throughout the reception. This option eliminates the need for a live performer or DJ, and you can even take song requests from your guests!

Timing and Location

The timing and location of your wedding can also impact the cost of entertainment. Consider having your ceremony and reception in the same place to save on transportation costs. Additionally, choosing an off-peak day of the week or time of year for your wedding can result in lower rates for entertainment and other services.

Wedding attire and beauty

The average cost of a wedding dress in the US is somewhere between $1,800 and $2,400, but prices can fluctuate depending on the designer, fabric, craftsmanship, style, construction, and any individual customisations.

To save money, consider buying a ready-to-wear dress, or one from an online retailer such as Anthropologie Weddings, Lulus, Shopbop, Revolve, or Bridal by Eloquii. These options offer stylish and on-trend dresses for a fraction of the price. You could also attend a sample sale or trunk show, or buy a dress from a previous season.

If you have a specific designer in mind, you could save money by buying a dress from a previous season, or attending a sample sale or trunk show. You could also opt for a simple gown and add your own embellishments, or accessories such as earrings or a statement necklace.

Don't forget to budget for accessories, such as jewellery, shoes, lingerie, and a veil or headpiece, which can cost between $250 and $400. You will also need to budget for alterations, which can cost between $75 and $900.

For the groom, there are several options to keep costs down. You could rent a tux, or buy a suit from a high-street retailer. If you're buying, remember to budget for accessories such as a shirt, tie, shoes, belt, and cufflinks.

You can also save money on beauty. If you're hiring a makeup artist or hairdresser, you could save money by having them do either hair or makeup, rather than both. You could also ask about package deals or service bundles.

Frequently asked questions