How to Save Money on a Wedding

*This post has been reviewed by an Illinois Registered CPA. However, when making important financial decisions, it's best to speak with your financial advisor.

Last Updated on May 12, 2022

Learn How To Save Money On Your Dream Wedding

Organizing your wedding is no easy task. It takes a lot of planning to make sure everything turns out the way you want. In addition, a wedding costs money, no matter how simple you want to keep things. There are many things to consider, from food and beverages to venue and entertainment. All these can drain your budget.

The dilemma is how to save money on a wedding while still making it elegant, fun, and memorable for your guests. Careful budgeting and choosing where and when to organize your wedding are critical. It’s also essential to research well before choosing your vendors. This way, you’ll get the best prices. Here are some crucial tips for organizing your dream wedding while saving money.

Save Money on a Wedding by Budgeting

Budgeting is an essential step when organizing a great wedding. It will prevent you from feeling financial regret in the aftermath. Start by setting a maximum budget you and your future spouse agree on and can afford. Then, adjust the budget if your in-laws or anyone else wants to help with extra cash or donations. Here are the basic steps of budgeting for a wedding:

1. Calculate the available budget.
2. List all the wedding-related expenses and the anticipated cost (venue, food, music, etc.).
3. After you have everything on paper, study the list to see if and where you can cut costs.

There are different ways to save money. Cutting costs doesn’t mean giving up on Prosecco or dropping the white flower arrangements your partner has always wanted. Instead, it means finding affordable solutions.

Being more careful with your expenses overall will also help you save more for the big day. For example, you can rely on the half-payment method to better handle your bills if that is an area where you struggle.

Always Have a Buffer

If you’re wondering how to save money on a wedding while sticking to a fixed budget, you should also have a buffer. A buffer is extra cash that will give you peace of mind if something unexpected comes up and you need more. Here are a few advantages of having a buffer of at least 10% of your entire wedding budget:

• It allows you to afford extras.
• It helps you cover last-minute expenses.
• It makes you feel more at ease.
• It enables you to avoid loans.

Are You Planning Alone or With a Professional?

The answer can make a difference of thousands of dollars in your bank account. A wedding planner can handle everything for you, from choosing the venue to purchasing the invitations. They take care of the menu, entertainment, and guests’ lodging and transportation needs. These professionals cover all wedding-related tasks for a price.

If you can’t afford the time to organize your wedding, use a wedding planner. Otherwise, planning it alone or with a partner will be the most cost-effective solution. Bear in mind the tasks you’ll have to complete yourself and their order:

1. Looking for and booking a venue
2. Establishing the menu
3. Looking for someone to officiate the ceremony, and for a photographer
4. Decorating the venue
5. Booking a band and establishing the entertainment schedule

These are some of the main steps you have to consider. Wedding planners might also be able to cut better deals because they have the contacts, experience, and knowledge. Ponder both options before deciding.

How to Save Money on a Wedding by Planning Ahead

Careful planning is key to a successful wedding that doesn’t leave your bank account empty. There are a few basic things to consider when organizing your wedding:

1. How many people will you invite?
2. Where do you want to organize the event?
3. What will be your wedding style (elegant, laid-back, etc.)?

The cost of the wedding will largely depend on it. Write down all the names of the people you plan to invite, ask for RSVPs on your invitation, and update your list regularly. Then you can start calculating how much you’ll have to pay for food, beverages, and anything else of importance. Doing this will help you have as little waste as possible, saving you money in the long run.

Choose a Less Expensive Season and Day

You’ve probably pictured your wedding dozens of times by now. You may have imagined saying the “yes” of your life on a beautiful summer day. Summer is the wedding season, by definition. Saturdays are the most popular days for these events. Yet, this also makes them the most expensive ones.

Booking a venue on any other day except Saturday can cost far less. Sunday and Friday are more affordable options, and the other weekdays can also prove relatively cheap. A spring, autumn, or winter wedding may cost less than a wedding during the crowded summer season. If you and your guests are flexible, be open to different seasons, dates, and times to get the most bang for your buck.

Make a Wise Venue Choice

One of the most significant wedding expenses is finding a venue. A venue is also where you may be able to save the most. Of course, you should still pick a setting you like, not just one that’s cheaper.

To find an excellent and affordable place, you need to do your research. Don’t limit your options to the locations closest to your home or that are the most popular. If you live in a big city, those can be pretty expensive.

Explore other avenues too—for example, small-town venues or options located in the countryside. You can organize a fantastic wedding at a laid-back winery, country club, public event space, or even a campground. These can cost significantly less than typical wedding venues.

Bring in Beverages or Food (or Both!)

After the venue, food and drinks are usually the most significant wedding expenses. Pay less for this by negotiating with the venue. Ask if it’s possible to bring anything in from outside. Drinks are the best option. Serving alcohol, the wedding venue provides is far more expensive than serving alcohol you purchased at a big box store.

The same goes for food. Some venues don’t ask you to use their catering service or restaurant. If they do, make sure it will fit into your budget before finalizing the decision.

Negotiate with Suppliers

Don’t be afraid to reach out and negotiate with vendors to cut down on wedding expenses and get the best prices. Negotiate for any services possible. Ask politely and, if necessary, include the number of people on your guest list. A longer list may receive more significant discounts.

For entertainment or photography services, scrutinize the market and pick out the professionals who appeal to you. Then contact them and see who is ready to negotiate their fee. Of course, asking won’t cause harm, and they’ll turn down your offer in the worst-case scenario.

Negotiating might not mean getting a discount; it might mean getting some extras. Some examples are a free photo album from your photographer or a complimentary makeup session for your bridesmaids from the makeup artist. Contact as many professionals as you need to until you find the service and fees that suit your needs.

If a venue doesn’t allow you to bring in outside vendors, compare prices before agreeing to use them.

Save Money on Entertainment

If you wonder why you can’t save money, the answer might be that you’re living beyond your means. Entertainment is another expense that can drive up your wedding’s cost. If you can’t afford a popular band that charges thousands of dollars for a 2-hour gig, why not try a local one? It could cost much less. The artists might even perform for more hours.

Plus, you’ll be helping someone in your community gain a larger audience. You could even drop the band idea altogether by preparing an engaging playlist or booking a DJ. These are some of the more affordable music solutions.

Save Money on Flowers

Wedding flowers alone can lead to costs of more than $2,000. The average bride’s bouquet costs around $250. The price increases if you want fancy or exotic flowers. Those are often unavailable at local florists. The cost of finding and bringing them to your location can be hefty.

There are also certain flowers that enjoy a special status thanks to their reputation. One example is tulips from Holland. Tulips are beautiful and unique, but for this reason, they also have a high price tag.

Some people are willing to pay for this, but is it worth it? Think about it from a practical perspective. You are investing money in something you will throw away. Let’s say you let the bridal bouquet flowers dry to keep them as a memory. But that is about everything you will save from your wedding flowers.

Is it worth spending a lot of money on this? The answer is probably no. You can have beautiful and stylish floral arrangements without spending a lot.

Here are a few practical steps to help you save money on wedding flowers:

Action plan	Approach
Step 1	Find the color choice and type of floral arrangement you like
Step 2	Look for price ranges based on your preferences
Step 3	Explore more affordable alternatives that look similar
Step 4	Buy flowers from both price ranges and combine them in your arrangements to save money

Other tips you might want to consider to save money on wedding flowers include

• Not using a bridal bouquet (many brides do this nowadays).
• Prioritizing greenery to pay less for flowers.
• Using more affordable dried flowers that can later be repurposed.
• Combining flowers with less expensive items such as candles.

How to Save Money on a Wedding Dress and Still Look Stunning

The wedding dress can be a sensitive wedding subject. No bride wants to make compromises when it comes to her look. But how to save money for a wedding dress and still look fabulous? The easiest way is to buy a pre-loved wedding gown. There is no shame in doing that, and it could cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars less. As for the groom, renting a suit is a good and affordable alternative to buying one.

Do Everything You Can Yourself

If you have any abilities you can leverage, don’t think twice. Do it and avoid paying extra fees. For example, you can:

• Do your make-up.
• Be your hairdresser.
• Write the invitations yourself.
• Use DIY decorations.
• Make your wedding bouquet.

You could do many things yourself. This will save you significant money.

FAQs

How to Save Money on a Wedding Venue?

To save money on your wedding venue, look for different locations and compare the prices. Search both locally and regionally.

How to Save Money on Your Wedding Flowers?

If possible, do it yourself. If not, choose in-season flowers or more rustic decorations. Try to avoid out-of-season and costly bouquets.

What Budgeting Strategies Help You Save Money on Weddings?

Here are two popular budgeting methods to help you set and follow a strict wedding budget.

Try the 50-30-20 method. Every month before your wedding, set aside money according to this formula. You put aside 20% of your budget in a savings account. Then, split the remaining amount into needs (50%) and wants (30%).

Another option is the budgeting envelope system. First, allocate your budget to distinct expenses using real or digital envelopes. Then, use the respective money for each category. Here is an example:

Envelope	Budget
Wedding venue	$12,000
Wedding dress	$1,700
Guest accommodation	$3,000

Should I Take Out a Loan to Afford a Dream Wedding?

You can resort to a loan to be able to organize your dream wedding. First, calculate how fast and easy it will be to pay off that debt. Also, you might need to fix your credit as fast as you can to get a new personal loan. Still, the best option is to have cash.

Avoiding debt is key to a sound financial life. If you take a loan, you’ll need to cut expenses to repay it. Instead, you could wait longer to save money for your wedding.

How to Save Money on a Wedding Without Compromising Style?

These are affordable solutions to help you save money. Choose a low-key venue, organize your wedding on a weekday, rent a wedding suit or buy a pre-loved wedding dress. These will still help you maintain the stylish look and atmosphere you want at a lower cost.