Every spring and summer, it seems like we have to go to at least four or five weddings. Love really is in the air, I suppose! It’s so interesting seeing what all of our friends and family members do when they plan their wedding, from the super thrifty couples to the ones who spare no expense. Nowadays, it seems people are trying to purchase homes sooner, so they’re putting money towards a down payment or their mortgages instead of fancy weddings. I can totally relate to living on a budget, which is how my husband and I planned our wedding.
With that in mind, I thought I’d give all you amateur wedding planners out there—that is, all you brides—a couple of ways you can scrimp and save on your wedding so that you don’t have sticker shock at the end of the night. After all, it’s supposed to be a fun day full of love, not one where you stress about all the money you just spent.
Your Dress
When I got married, I have to admit, I was addicted to that show “Say Yes to the Dress” where women go to this boutique in New York City and pick out their dream dress. I felt a little bit jealous of the insane gowns they tried on and ultimately purchased, but here in real life there was no way I was going to spend anywhere near $10,000 on a dress I’d wear once. There are websites out there that sell dresses that have already been worn once but are still in great condition that you can browse if you’re dead set on a designer dress. Those sites can save you at least a little bit of money, but if you’re okay with something a little simpler, you can scout out sample or trunk sales which are usually held in the fall before new designs are introduced. Consignment shops are also great, as are places like Etsy where you can purchase a custom-made dress.
The Cake
I was lucky to have worked in a bakery when I was younger, so I decided to take on the task of the cake myself. While it was a stressful and hectic time, knowing that I made my own cake and saved several hundred dollars made it worth it. Not everyone has the time or know-how to do that, though. One easy way to save money on your wedding cake is to ask a bakery to only include one tier of real cake—the one you cut. Slices of cake for the guests can be from undecorated sheet-cakes that the waiters can bring out from the back. No one will ever know the difference unless you tell them. This way, you still get the picture perfect “feed each other cake” photos, and your guests still get delicious wedding cake. What’s not to like about that?
Decorations
One of the most expensive things about wedding decor is the way tables are decorated. Tablecloths for wedding receptions are crazy expensive to buy outright, and some venues only offer plain white ones—kind of boring if you’re going for a more colorful wedding. Wedding tablecloth rentals are one way to save some cash, that way you don’t have to pay a high price to own them forever. Another thing you can do is head to a fabric store and pick out some fabric that matches your theme and use it as a table runner. That way, you get all of the color without spending an arm and a leg on decorations you most likely won’t use again.
Music
Hiring a DJ can be a pricey endeavor, too. If you have an iPod and are comfortable making up a playlist on your own, you can put that on the venue’s speakers and let things go on their own. The only problem with this is that you’ll have to schedule breaks or pause the tunes for special announcements on your own, but that might be worth it when you consider the pile of cash you’ll save by not having to pay someone to press pause and play. If you’re getting a band, perhaps you can make their set a feature of the reception rather than paying them to play the entire time the reception goes on. That’s one way to have the best of both worlds.
The Honeymoon
Some of my friends who have gotten married a little older already have the things listed on typical wedding registries. These days, it’s more common for a couple to live together before they get married, so they don’t need a new toaster or blender or towels. Instead, those couples signed up for a registry to help fund their honeymoons. Instead of gifting a set of pots and pans or a food processor, guests can contribute money that will go towards things like hotel stays, dinners at restaurants where the couple is honeymooning, and other honeymoon-related expenses. It’s a great way to enjoy a honeymoon without breaking the bank, and it’s becoming more and more popular.
The Small Business Report 