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Your wedding is your special day, and you want it to be the best day of your life. Everyone dreams of a beautiful, fairytale wedding, but the costs can dampen the fun.
Wedding expenses can add up quickly, but there are many ways to save costs without taking anything away from the day.
Asking friends and family for help, choosing a different date, marrying abroad, or saving money on the wedding dress can save you thousands of dollars and may help you have an even better honeymoon. We have 17 hacks that most couples find helpful and will save you money without sacrificing your dream day.
1. Pick a Date
Many couples want to get married during the summer to take advantage of warmer days. However, opting for an autumn wedding can save several thousand dollars.
Save costs by avoiding a Saturday date and opting for a weekday or Sunday or waiting for a cancellation. These changes could mean lower prices from the perfect location that charges higher fees during peak summer periods.
2. Cut the Guest List
Most venues charge per head for the wedding reception meal, so reducing the guest list could significantly reduce the costs of your perfect day.
As the guest list gets bigger, planning a wedding can become more stressful as you struggle to keep everyone happy. Remember, this is your special day, and it’s essential you enjoy every moment of it.
3. Choose a Unique Wedding Venue
Having your wedding reception in a fancy hotel or country club is not mandatory, but these venues charge a premium price. Consider hiring a holiday property with accommodations so guests can enjoy letting their hair down, knowing they don’t have to drive home afterward.
Think creatively. Hiring a local hall, pub, or sports club could cut costs by thousands of dollars.
4. Consider Lower-Priced Wedding Packages
Most wedding venues offer packages that include several items, such as a three-course meal, a glass of champagne, wine on the table, a DJ, and table decorations.
It’s worthwhile adding up the cost of organizing everything yourself, including a caterer, to decide if the venue package is cheaper.
5. Save Money on Your Dress
The most expensive option is to buy a wedding dress from a specialist shop. If you want a traditional white wedding dress, check out the sales. Alternatively, consider a beautiful evening dress from a department store. That could save a fortune, plus you can get the bridesmaids’ dresses there, too.
Another way to save money is to buy a second-hand dress. The dress is worn once, so it’s like buying a new one without the high cost.
6. Get Crafty and Creative
Wedding invitations can be costly, but you have alternatives. Consider designing and printing your own, or browse Etsy, which has many choices for beautiful, personalized wedding invites you can download and print.
Buy low-cost, pretty items and gather friends and family to create wedding favors. Instead of expensive table decorations, use rose petals or tealights in decorated jars.
7. Negotiate Prices for Everything
In the excitement of planning your big day, you might forget to ask for a discount. However, negotiating a better deal can shave money off the final costs. If you choose an off-peak date, ask the venue for a price reduction.
Negotiate prices for flowers, catering, dress, table decorations, invites, and anything else where possible.
8. Consider Getting Married Abroad
There are several price bonuses to getting married abroad. First, your guest list will be smaller, with just close friends and family and not your aunt Doris, whom you haven’t seen for 15 years.
Secondly, choose a country with a lower cost of living, such as Mauritius. You could save thousands of dollars, even considering the costs of flights, hotels, legal fees, and the ceremony.
9. Buy Your Own Alcohol
Venues charge a premium price for alcohol, especially champagne. If it’s possible, consider buying your own from a supermarket or wholesaler. The venue may charge a “corkage” fee, but it will be considerably less than buying their house wines and champagne.
Another bonus is you might negotiate a discount buying in bulk from a wholesaler.
10. Save Money on Cake
If you plan to have a traditional, multi-tiered wedding cake, anticipate it costing hundreds of dollars. One alternative is to buy your own. Create layers, top the cake with icing, and decorate it yourself.
Ask a gifted friend or family member to help. Another option is to use cardboard to layer the bottom of the cake.
11. Reduce Hair and Makeup Costs
Invite a local hairdresser to do your hair. Have a few practice runs so you are happy with the results. If you have a friend whose makeup always looks impeccable, ask if she would be willing to do your makeup on the big day.
Alternatively, research whether there’s a local beauty therapy training school. They often need people for students to practice their skills.
12. Find a Skilled Photographer in Your Circle
Photography is a popular hobby, and there’s bound to be someone with camera or video skills in your circle. Ask to see their portfolio and choose someone who does portrait, pet, or wildlife photography. They’ll have a better eye for the type of photos best for a wedding.
Instead of paying hundreds of dollars or more, you can save a lot of money with a hobbyist.
13. Skip the Three-Course Meal
Image Credit: Shutterstock.[/caption]
It’s easy to get caught up in thinking you have to have a traditional wedding reception with a three-course meal in a fancy hotel. There are much cheaper options, such as a themed BBQ.
You can hire a food bar or choose a buffet, and your guests will still have as much fun as at a posh sit-down dinner, perhaps more so.
14. Choose Your Priorities
You and your loved one can have a fabulous wedding on a budget if you prioritize what’s important to you on the big day. Discuss with your partner what matters to you both, and devise a plan to include these essential elements.
Often, excited couples get swept up by what their parents want, and wedding costs can spiral out of control. Focus on what will create the best memories for you both.
15. Consider Starting a Crowdfunding Page
Do you really need a new toaster, saucepans, or electrical gadget? Newlyweds often end up with useless wedding gifts that never leave the box.
It’s not unusual these days for couples to start a crowdfunding campaign, requesting donations from family and friends to help with the costs of setting up a home or honeymoon.
16. Ask Friends and Family for Help
Your friends and family are excited to share your big day, but they might be helpful by offering their time before the wedding. They may have the skills to make wedding planning cheaper or easier.
Maybe they know someone such as a DJ, hairdresser, baker, or florist who they can recommend.
17. Earn Cashback on Wedding Bills
If you plan to lean on credit cards to cover some of the wedding costs, put it on a credit card offering cashback on purchases. However, you must remember to pay the bill before it incurs interest charges.
Another bonus is in the unlikely event that one of your suppliers goes bust or messes up a service, you have some chance of getting your money back.
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