Weddings are a time of joy, but they can also be painfully expensive. From venue costs to the wedding attire, the expenses can add up in a snap, and one could fret over how to manage all that without having to go deeply in debt. Fortunately, it is possible to have a dream wedding with some strategic planning and intelligent decisions. In this article, we take you through 20 easy ways of saving on your wedding while still pulling some lifelong memories. Additionally, we show you how settling for the silicone rings from Maui Rings saves you some bucks meant for expensive wedding bands and gives you access to a free wedding checklist!
How to Save Money on a Wedding: 20 Simple Tips
1. Set a Realistic Budget
Sit down with your partner and, before the planning begins, create a budget. Decide how much you’re willing to spend on each aspect of the wedding. This will help you avoid overspending, and you’ll know exactly where your money is going.
2. Prioritize Your Must-Haves
Identify what exactly is important to you. Whether it be the venue, photographer, or even the food, knowing what exactly is most important to you will help in the proper allotment of your budget.
3. Consider an Off-Season Wedding
It goes without saying that wedding venues are always cheaper in the off-season, which may be during the winter or at least the early spring. You could save literally thousands of dollars by picking a date not within the peak months.
4. Keep the Guest List Small
It goes without saying, the less the guests, the less the money it requires to cater to their eatery needs and invitations, among other things. Make sure to consider only people who mean much to you on your special day to keep the costs manageable.
5. Create Your Invitations
The invitations you can do yourself will help you save a lot. There are so many free or very inexpensive templates online, which you can modify to fit your wedding theme.
6. Nix Traditional Wedding Favors
Wedding favors often get lost or thrown away once the guest gets home. Consider making a donation to charity in honor of your guests or skip them altogether.
7. Borrow or Rent Decorations
There’s no need to buy all of your wedding decor. You can borrow from friends or rent linens, vases, or lighting at a fraction of the costs while still having great looks.
8. Choose a Non-Traditional Venue
Hold your wedding at a local park, garden, or even someone’s backyard. These kinds of venues can be much less expensive and allow for more personal touches.
9. Simplify the Menu
Opt for a simpler menu with fewer courses or go for buffet-style dining instead of a formal plated dinner. You can also save by choosing seasonal, local ingredients.
10. Go for a Fake Cake
A display cake for cutting photos can be made of foam, and guests can be served a sheet cake from the kitchen. This gives you the look without the high cost of a custom cake.
11. Consider Used Dresses
Many gorgeous used wedding gowns are available online that one may settle on. This is the most appropriate way to wear a designer wedding gown at half the price.
12. Do Without Expensive Wedding Bands
Just because they are symbolic doesn’t mean wedding rings have to be expensive. The Maui Rings silicone wedding bands are fashionable, comfortable, and a small fraction of the cost compared to traditional gold or diamond wedding rings.
13. DIY Flowers
Create your wedding flowers instead of hiring a florist. Buy fresh flowers in bulk from a wholesaler or even artificial flowers for a budget-friendly option.
14. Hire a Photographer for Less Number of Hours
It costs a great deal to hire a photographer for a whole day. Consider booking them just for the key moments, like the ceremony and the first part of the reception, to save on costs.
15. Go Digital with Your RSVP
Save on postage and printing costs by utilizing digital RSVP services. Online platforms such as WeddingWire or even Google Forms make it easy for guests to RSVP online.
16. Limit the Bar
A full open bar will see your wedding costs shoot through the roof in no time. Instead, limit the bar to just beer and wine, with one signature cocktail offering.
17. Get Married on a Weekday
The most popular day to get married? A Saturday. Naturally, this means a big expensive bill. If you can be flexible with your date, you will find venues offering significant weekday wedding discounts.
18. Consider Local Musicians or DJs
Hiring a well-known band or DJ can be very expensive. Think about local musicians or just a playlist of your favorite songs to save on entertainment costs.
19. Plan a Minimalist Honeymoon
Instead of an extravagant honeymoon, consider a mini-moon-a shorter, less costly getaway-or take your honeymoon after time has passed, allowing you to save.
20. Download a Free Wedding Checklist
So it’s super overwhelming but again, nice to have something to check off. You can download the free 7-page wedding checklist here: Free Wedding Checklist.
FAQs
How can I reduce wedding costs without sacrificing quality?
Bring your focus to what matters most and find some DIY solutions or alternatives. That would include silicone rings from Maui Rings-save money, don’t lose quality.
What are some budget-friendly options that exist outside of traditional wedding bands?
Silicone rings are a good option. Inexpensive, durable and stylish, too. Check out some options from Maui Rings for some great designs.
Should I have a small or large wedding to save money?
A smaller wedding with fewer guests will be less expensive generally speaking. It saves you on catering, the size of the venue, and other per-person costs.
How to save on wedding invitations?
Try DIY invitation options or go paperless by using online RSVPs and digital invites to save on printing and postage.
What’s the best time of day to have a wedding to save money?
Having a weekday or off-season wedding can save your money on venues and vendors.
Budgeting for a wedding doesn’t always have to mean giving up on the dream. Plan wisely, be creative, and stick within your budget-you’ll have a beautiful, styled wedding that’s truly yours. With these 20 easy tips, you’re going to be well en route to saving money and still having a memorable celebration. Don’t forget to check out Maui Rings for silicone rings to save on wedding bands and get your free wedding checklist here! Happy wedding planning!
