Ways To Save Your Budget When Planning Your Wedding

14 Ways to Save Money While Planning Your Dream Wedding

1. Repurposing Ceremony Flowers

After saying "I do," repurpose your ceremony flowers for the reception. This not only adds a touch of continuity but also maximizes your floral budget. Many couples will use their ceremony florals to redecorate their Bride and Groom table at their reception, or use bridesmaid bouquets as table centerpieces.

2. Food Truck Delights

For a trendy and cost-effective catering option, consider hiring food trucks. Your guests will enjoy a variety of delicious options, and you'll save on traditional catering expenses. You could even hire a mobile coffee or ice cream truck for an added delightful treat!

3. Bundle Photo and Video Services

Optimize your budget by finding a team that offers both photography and videography services. Bundling these services can often lead to significant savings.

4. Budget-Friendly Tableware

Explore cost-effective options for tableware. Online retailers like Amazon or table cloth factory can be your go-to for affordable yet stylish choices.

5. Simple Invitations with QR Codes

Engage your guests with elegant, simple invitations featuring a QR code for additional details. This not only reduces paper usage and saves on postage costs, but also streamlines your invitation process so you can very easily track RSVPs and wedding guest headcount.

6. Minimalistic Tablescapes

Achieve a sophisticated look by embracing minimalist tablescapes. Candles and bud vases can create a romantic ambiance without the hefty price tag.

7. Optimize Cake Quotes

When ordering your wedding cake, plan for 60-70% of your guests. Not everyone indulges in cake, and this ensures you don't overspend on unnecessary servings, or end up with a ton of leftover food you can't save.

8. DIY Smartly

If you enjoy DIY projects, focus on one or two aspects to avoid overwhelming yourself. From centerpieces to bouquets, Black Friday sales and spring discounts can be your best allies. Stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby frequently have big discounts on their florals and craft supplies on a weekly basis, so familiarize yourself with ongoing deals to maximize savings when purchasing DIY materials.

9. Affordable Drinks

Save big on beverages by opting for budget-friendly options like Aldi for wine and beer. Consider a signature drink sourced from stores like Total Wine. By creating a limited alcohol list, you can save money by purchasing only what you need rather than having an open bar full of options, plus create a personalized touch by offering only your favorite alcoholic beverages.

10. Budget Bridal Attire

Find your dream dress without the hefty price tag by exploring wedding consignment stores. You might discover a brand-new gown with tags at a fraction of the cost! Some people find their dream dress after purchasing a dress, so you can often find big deals on brides reselling unwanted dresses on Facebook Marketplace. Some chain stores often have sales or mark downs on dresses as seasons change and they get new inventory so it's also a great idea to check stores like David's Bridal. My own wedding dress cost me around $750 after taxes but was originally priced at over $1200!

11. Eco-Friendly Invitations and Save The Dates

Print your invitations and save-the-dates postcard-style to reduce costs. You could also consider only mailing out invitations to save on printing and repeated postage costs. Canva is a great option to use to DIY your invitations and even utilize printing options, or VistaPrint is one of my own favorite printing websites for invites and cards.

12. Skip the Party Favors

Guests often leave behind or forget party favors, which just adds to the list of things to pack and clean up after your reception. Save money and reduce waste by skipping this traditional element! Or, if you really want to offer something to your guests, choose something small and simple like you and your partner's favorite candy!

13. DIY Signs and More

Create a personal touch by DIY-ing signs, invitations, and other elements. This adds a unique and intimate feel to your celebration, just don't go overboard taking on too many DIY projects. Pick a couple to focus on, and delegate the rest to any friends and family who may be helping you plan and execute your wedding.

14. Elope for Intimacy and Savings

Consider the option of eloping for a more intimate celebration that's not only meaningful but also cost-effective! In most cases, you can save thousands of dollars not needing a venue or full space for celebrating all day, not needing catering for dozens of people, and you can enjoy your wedding day in an intimate and intentional fashion. Personally, I have opted to elope, and it's allowed us to plan a very adventurous experience across the country that we would never have gotten to do otherwise at a fraction of the cost of current wedding investment rates!

If you're still feeling a bit overwhelmed, try to remember that your wedding is a celebration of your love, and with these tips, you can make it a memorable and budget-friendly affair. Have fun with it and enjoy your wedding!!!