10 Tips For Planning A Wedding On A Budget
Article by | Ashley Blackwell + Jennifer Atkins,
Perfectly Planned Weddings + Events
We all know that hosting any wedding or event is costly, but especially in our current economic climate. Luckily, we have had the pleasure of working with weddings with all budgets and sizes – so…
here are our top ten tips for maximizing your wedding budget to create the day of your dreams without the financial stress!
1. Limit guest count
This is number one on our list because it can impact your budget by thousands of dollars! The per guest cost not only includes the food, cake, and alcohol served, but it also affects the number of invitations, tables, linens, place settings, and centerpieces you will need as well. All of that can add up quickly, so keeping your guest count smaller will allow your budget to go much further.
2. Repurpose florals
Floral is typically a huge part of any wedding budget and rightfully so as it truly brings together almost any event design. A well-known “secret” in the wedding world is to repurpose as much floral as possible from your ceremony to your reception to save a considerable amount of money. Here are some fun transitions you can incorporate:
- Bridesmaid bouquets -> Reception centerpieces: Add a few candles and voila!
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Ceremony aisle or altar floral -> Centerpieces, or sweetheart table swag, hung on a backdrop for a photobooth or neon sign area
- Toss bouquet -> Welcome Table/Sign-In Table Arrangement
3. Borrow versus rent or buy
Do you have any friends or family members that have recently gotten married? If so, reach out to them to see if they have any décor items you can borrow. As an alternative, you can watch for past brides who post things for sale on bridal Facebook pages. Sometimes you can get great deals on the items you are looking for.
4. Only tablescape your head table or sweetheart table
Put your focus on your head table and minimize décor on guest tables. No matter what your budget, your head table or sweetheart table should be the focal point, so make a wow statement where it counts. You’ll still get those beautiful Pinterest board décor shots without the unnecessary pressure of staging every seat to the nines.
5. Use a local print shop
Custom invitations are truly beautiful, but like everything custom, it comes with a sticker shock. When your budget doesn’t allow for it, opt for purchasing templates from Etsy or making your own design using online services such as Canva. Using a local print shop can help cut costs as well. Paper types and stock may be limited, but you can still create a beautiful invitation suite that your guests will love to receive.
6. Have a friend or family member officiate
True… your officiant isn’t where the majority of your budget will be spent, but when trying to save money, every dollar counts. Ask a friend or family member to officiate your wedding ceremony! Of course, they would need to get ordained to make it legal, but this can be done online for a minimal fee. And what would be more special than having someone close to you be there to help you share your vows. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment that will never be forgotten.
7. Shop at off the rack stores
When looking for your bridal attire, search for local “off rack” stores where the savings can be substantial. Most often, these are stores that receive prior season’s inventory, but the dresses are still brand new and are just as gorgeous. Also try contacting bridal stores to see when they offer their “sample gown” sales. Usually this is done twice a year prior to the season change.
8. Visit bridal shows for discounts
Gather your bridal party and close relatives and seek out local bridal shows. Many vendors offer show discounts for attendees. Even small discounts can quickly add up to big savings.
9. Don’t overspend on your venue
We see this one far too often. When looking for your perfect venue, try not to overspend. Pick a venue that is appropriately sized for your event. There are some great “finds” out there, you just have to do the research beforehand. Make sure to ask questions such as “are tables and chair setup included in the price.” Hiring an outside vendor to do these things can add to the overall price tag. Overall, how much you spend on a venue should be in proportion to the rest of your budget because there are still so many vendors left to book after the date and location are set.
10. Hire a planner to do all of these things for you!
Some brides may feel they can’t afford a wedding planner, but the reality is, how can you not afford to hire one? Wedding planners can help with finding the perfect vendors that fit within your budget. Their vendor relationships and expertise can help you have the wedding of your dreams. Like all of the tips listed above, industry professionals know the ins and outs of what makes every wedding and event great – and it’s not by overspending. As an added bonus, they often have built-in discounts with their own preferred vendors that you would receive by being their client. Less stress AND saving money? It’s a must-have for every wedding if you ask us!
Looking for the perfect planner?
Find Perfectly Planned Weddings + Events in our VENDOR PROFILE section p. 107 of our digital issue!