Big Wedding, Small Budget: How to Save Money on Your Wedding

Weddings are big business these days.  After all the details are bought and paid for, you could have purchased a mid market car or a generous down payment on a home. But there is something magical about weddings that we just can't seem to get enough of.  If you have a dream wedding in mind, but a nightmare budget, follow these tips and you will save a bundle without compromising your big day.

a.) DIY – One of the biggest money savers is doing things yourself. Can you shave off some cash by making your own favors, programs, etc. This can save you a ton rather than paying for the service. However, as I personally learned the hard way, make sure you evaluate ALL costs and know what the market would charge to do the same work. I decided to make my own invitations, very pretty, and very simple. After hours (and hours) or work, many botched invitations and wasted supplies, plus tools that I never originally budgeted for, I spent at least 50% more for my invitations then if I would have just paid for them to be done. Make sure you are actually saving money by doing it yourself.

b.) What Matters Most – Figure out what you care/or your guests may care about. If the cake is not a big deal to you, get Auntie Annie to make you one. It might not be perfection, but as long as it is more than presentable you can save a mint! Spend on things that are important to you (ie. Photos).

c.) Costuming – I bought my dress at a beautiful bridal shop, but instead of the $200 shoes and $150 tiara that did look fabulous, I went to the mall, bought $26 strappy white sandals at an end of season sale (which I have worn numerous times since) and a $12.95 tiara that I bought at a costume jewelry store in the prom section. No one knew the difference, and they both looked just as lovely as the boutique items. Plus, I didn’t have to worry about losing anything expensive.

d.) Alterations – You might not want to risk the wedding dress, but find out what alterations to a bridesmaid’s dress would be if you paid someone else (other than the bridal store). I have seen people pay hundreds of dollars to have a hem sewn and the top taken in that would have cost half the price at a decent tailor elsewhere.

e.) Package Deals – If you are booking a venue that offers catering/dj services/etc. as part of the package, ask if you can bring in your own and how it will affect the price. In many cases the venue is actually overcharging you for these services, when you could book the same companies personally for a lower price. On a side note (mind you I have never tried this), don’t mention that you are booking services for a wedding until absolutely necessary or after you have received a confirmed price. Some companies will jack up their prices, just because people will pay anything for the wedding of their dreams.

f.) Music – Have your heart set on a string quartet? Call a local music school or university, as many students will be willing to work for peanuts to get some playing time. Besides if you are going with traditional standards, most musicians can pull these items off.

g.) Liquor – A few tips here:
1.) Close your bar during dinner and speeches. Wine is generally cheaper and it will keep people from having a glass of wine and three vodka tonics at the table, and drinking none.
2.) Offer only wine, and non-alcoholic punch for cocktail hour. People drink wine slower so they will not be consuming as quickly (or as much). Besides slowing down your guests may keep your 3rd cousin from re-enacting Tom Cruise’s “Risky Business” slide later on in the evening.

h.) Photos – Try to get a photographer who will allow you develop your own photos. This can save a ton of money as you can get the pictures developed by a high end developer, and all of those other photos for family and friends you can go to a lower cost place to have them developed on mass. Besides a photo card developed at Walmart is often significantly cheaper than a traditional stationary thank you card, plus your guests get a professional shot of their very own.

i.) Flowers – This category can be ridiculously expensive for something that may or may not even last until last call. Here are a few cost-effective options:

1.) Remember a few bigger blooms can be just as (if not more) dramatic than a cluster of flowers. In many cases the individual stems may be more expensive, but you will need far less to get the same effect, thus saving money.

2.) Remember your vision and see what you can do yourself. A girlfriend of mine wanted a large cluster of roses for her bouquet, so instead of paying a fortune she went to a discount wholesaler (Costco), bought two dozen roses, pulled them together as tight as possible, wrapped the stems in elastic bands, and then covered the bands in thick craft store ribbon that matched her theme. Bridesmaid bouquets were done the same with only one dozen. She paid about $15 a dozen, much cheaper than a floral shop bouquet, and they were beautiful. (Pre-order your dozens if you are worried about availability)

3.) Is your church/venue having another wedding that day? Talk to the other couple and see if they would like to split on the decoration and/or alter flowers. You can either make this a great savings or get far more flower for your buck by being able to upgrade by staying within your budget. Be ready to compromise though.

4.) Keep your flower choices in season. Tulips in December – a little pricey.

j.) Do the Math – I can’t count the amount of times that I’ve heard people say that they decided against a sit down meal because it would be cheaper to simply do an hors d’oeuvre/cocktail type wedding.  Sometimes this is true, but appetizers can be just as, if not pricier, than a plated meal if you pick the wrong ones.  Make sure you are looking at the price per person and comparing it with other options if budget is your concern.   

Good luck and happy wedding!