Tips For A Budget-Friendly Wedding: A Guide

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to finances. Here are some tips to help you create a realistic wedding budget and save money on your big day:

- Take stock of your funds: Assess your savings and how much you can comfortably contribute to the wedding. Avoid taking out loans or dipping into retirement accounts, as these can hurt your financial health in the long run.

- Figure out who will contribute: Discuss financial contributions from family members and set clear parameters on decision-making involvement.

- Create a vision: With your budget in mind, create a shared vision for the wedding with your partner. Do you want a big celebration or something small and intimate?

- Brainstorm your guest list: The number of guests will impact your costs, especially for food and beverages. A smaller guest list can help reduce expenses.

- Make a spending plan: Break down your budget into categories like venue, attire, floral and decor, entertainment, transportation, and hair and makeup. A wedding planner can help you estimate costs for each element.

- Track your payments: Use a budget spreadsheet or a wedding planner's services to track your spending and keep your finances organized.

- Handle budget changes: Communicate any budget constraints to your vendors and be prepared to adjust your spending plan if needed.

- Discuss finances early: Money conversations can be tricky, but it's important to address potential budget issues early on to avoid conflicts later.

Choose an off-season date

Choosing an off-season date is a great way to save money on your wedding. The wedding off-season typically spans from December to March, and venues often run special rates during this time.

While not all vendors offer off-season rates, many are willing to be flexible on pricing during their downtime. Venues, in particular, may offer discounted rates during the winter, potentially giving you your dream space at a fraction of the price.

If you're willing to embrace the cold weather, choosing an off-season date for your wedding can be a great way to save money and increase vendor availability.

• Be courteous and respectful when discussing pricing with venues and vendors, rather than demanding discounts.
• Consider choosing a date around the holidays for elegant decor options and potentially lower vendor costs.
• Keep in mind that vendor costs may be slightly lower during the off-season due to reduced demand.
• If your wedding venue is a popular winter destination, such as a ski resort, you may experience higher demand and costs.
• The most popular wedding months are typically September, October, and June, so aim for a date outside of these peak months.
• Saturday is the most popular day of the week for weddings, so choosing a weekday can help you save money.
• Be prepared for potential inclement weather if you choose an off-season date, and have a contingency plan in place.

Opt for a weekday wedding

Opting for a weekday wedding is a great way to save money on your big day. Here are some tips and insights to help you plan a weekday wedding:

• Save on venue costs: Weekends, particularly Saturdays, are the most popular days for weddings and therefore tend to be the most expensive. By choosing a weekday wedding, you can take advantage of lower venue rental rates. Some venues may even offer discounts for non-weekend days. For example, a Thursday night wedding could cut your costs in half compared to a Saturday wedding. If you're open to a Sunday wedding, you can also benefit from lower rates and potentially have a relaxing brunch wedding.
• Give your guests a long weekend: If you pick a weekday for your wedding, consider giving your guests a heads-up so they can plan to take the day off and enjoy a long weekend. This can be a fun way to make your wedding a memorable mid-week getaway for your guests.
• Be mindful of your guest list: Keep in mind that a weekday wedding may result in a smaller guest list, as some guests may not be able to take time off work. If you have many guests who work traditional Monday-Friday jobs, you may want to consider a Friday wedding to make it more convenient for them.
• Compare venue prices: When choosing a venue, don't be afraid to shop around and compare prices. Some venues may be more flexible with their rates than others. Look for venues that offer all-inclusive packages or those that allow you to bring your own caterer, as this can help you save on costs.
• Consider the convenience for your wedding party: Keep in mind the convenience and availability of your wedding party when choosing a weekday. They may have work or other commitments that could make it challenging for them to participate fully in a weekday wedding.
• Plan ahead for transportation: If your wedding is during the workweek, be mindful of potential traffic or commute times that could affect your guests' arrival. Consider providing shuttle services or clear directions and parking instructions to ensure smooth transportation for your guests.
• Be mindful of your vendors: When booking vendors for a weekday wedding, be mindful of their availability, especially if they are in high demand. You may need to be flexible with your desired dates to accommodate their schedules.
• Embrace the unique benefits: Weekday weddings can offer a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere compared to busy weekend weddings. You may find that vendors and venues are more available and attentive to your needs, and you may have more flexibility with your desired dates.

Limit the guest list

The guest list is one of the most important factors when it comes to budgeting for a wedding. The number of people at your wedding is the multiplier in the wedding cost equation. Drinks? Multiply it. Food? Multiply it. Seats? Multiply it. Dinnerware? Multiply it.

The first step is to limit your guest list in order to have a cheap wedding, or at least limit the reception guest list. Save those people from the shame of turning you down or the pain of being at another wedding they really don’t want to be at. A smaller guest list cuts down on your food and drink costs and the size of the reception hall you need to rent (which also limits decoration expenses).

If you really want to have a low-cost wedding, you’re going to have to take it a step further. My wife and I kept our guest list to twenty-five. All remaining living grandparents, our closest friends and their significant others. That was it. No extended family. It was a difficult decision. Our costs would have almost quadrupled otherwise.

In the end, neither of us regret the choice we made to leave extended family out. It made for a much more enjoyable and intimate wedding in which we were able to deeply connect with everyone vs. being pulled in dozens of different directions at once.

This is definitely the hardest part of the cheap wedding equation, no doubt. And, maybe you don’t go as far as we did. But, at least you now know it’s possible. And, like I said – anyone offended will get over it – or they weren’t worth the bother in the first place.

Find a flexible venue

The venue is often the biggest chunk of your wedding budget, so finding a flexible venue is key to keeping costs down. Here are some tips to find a flexible venue and save money on your wedding:

• Consider off-peak dates and times: The day of the week and time of year you choose for your wedding can have a big impact on venue costs. Saturdays are usually the most expensive, followed by Sundays, Fridays, and weekdays. Consider having your wedding on a weekday or during the off-season (typically November to March) to take advantage of lower venue rates.
• Look beyond traditional wedding venues: Country clubs and hotels are popular choices, but they can be expensive. Think outside the box and consider alternative venues such as restaurants, museums, city parks, libraries, or even boats. These unique venues can be more affordable and still offer a memorable experience for you and your guests.
• Choose a venue that allows external caterers: Many venues require you to use their in-house catering services or charge a fee to bring in an external caterer. By choosing a venue that allows external caterers, you can shop around for more affordable options or even DIY your catering to save money.
• Opt for an all-inclusive venue: Venues with all-inclusive packages can provide amenities and services such as on-site coordination, catering, alcohol, staff, rentals, and more. By bundling these services, you may be able to save money and have a one-stop shop for your wedding needs.
• Negotiate with the venue: Don't be afraid to negotiate with the venue to get a better deal. Ask about any discounts or promotions they may be offering, especially if you are flexible with dates. You may also be able to negotiate on certain package inclusions or customize a package to suit your needs and budget.
• Choose a venue that suits your guest list: The size of your guest list will impact the venue you choose and the overall cost. A smaller guest list means you can consider more intimate venues, which can be more affordable. Additionally, having your ceremony and reception at the same venue can save on transportation costs.
• Prioritize what's important to you: Not all venues are created equal, and some may include more amenities or services than others. Decide on your must-haves and be willing to compromise on less important elements. For example, if having a beautiful outdoor setting is a priority, you may be able to save on decor.

Get creative with the catering

Catering is often the second-largest expense for a wedding, so it's a great place to save money. Here are some ideas for how to get creative with your wedding catering:

• Opt for a plated meal instead of a buffet. While this may seem counterintuitive, buffets require more food to be prepared, and guests often take more food than they would be served at a plated meal.
• Choose seasonal and local ingredients. Food that is in season and locally sourced will be cheaper than food that has to be shipped in from elsewhere.
• Go for a vegetarian menu. Meat is often the most expensive part of a meal, so opting for a vegetarian menu can save you money.
• Choose a less expensive cut of meat. If you want to include meat in your menu, consider choosing a cheaper cut, like flank steak or chicken, instead of pricier options like filet mignon.
• Limit the number of options. Instead of offering a full bar, consider offering a few signature cocktails, beer, and wine. This will save you money on alcohol, and it will also reduce the number of bartenders you need to hire.
• Get creative with your venue. Some venues require you to use their catering services, which can be expensive. Look for a venue that allows you to bring in your own caterer, or choose a unique venue like a restaurant, museum, or city park that may be more affordable.
• DIY your catering. If you're feeling adventurous, you can cater your own wedding. This could be as simple as ordering food from your favorite local restaurant or as elaborate as cooking the food yourself. Just be sure to factor in the cost of cleanup and any necessary rentals, like tables and chairs.
• Ask family and friends for help. If you have family members or friends who are good cooks, consider asking them to help with the catering. This could be a great way to save money and involve your loved ones in your special day.

Frequently asked questions