As your wedding nears the first thing you plan is your wedding budget. Certainly, there are thousands of things to plan and undertake before the grand day. Several things you need to necessarily spend your budget on from your venue to décor, clothes to make-up, catering to entertainment and so on so forth. Your wedding is undoubtedly a once in a lifetime event. So, it becomes crucial that the celebration is also grand. But at the same time we have to see various ways to save money. However, in a wedding no matter how hard you try, still things go beyond budget sometimes and it seems unavoidable in certain situations, still it is essential to have ways to avoid unnecessary expense.
Budget is the first thing that you determine, having set your budget for everything beforehand is always good to go. Otherwise there are numerous avenues to spend on and like this you can go off budget, as the wedding by large demands thousands of expenses which you have to take care of.
So far a wedding is concerned there is no fixed price range, in fact there are variations in the prices depending on location, geography, décor, season, rapport etc., and you have to see what works well in your budget. Also, even if you are tight on budget… it doesn’t matter as much, because there are inexpensive ways to celebrate your big day. Here are some ways to save money on your wedding and still enjoy it to the fullest.
1. Envisage the big day
First things first, the moment you have dates in your hand, the first thing you do is to start planning your wedding. Start envisaging the big day. What exactly you are looking for your wedding like; is it a beachy wedding that you are looking or a wedding amidst mountains or desert or in your hometown. Wherever it is, first thing is to envisage what are you looking for, then only you would be able to figure out the budget and other details of your wedding. Also, once you know this, you can work on the other details like your style, colors and design.
2. Set your wedding budget and stick to it
Whether yours is a wedding in your hometown or in some other location i.e., a destination wedding, the first and foremost thing you need to do is set a budget for your wedding and stick to your budget if you really want to save money on your wedding. As wedding is such an event that you may be tempted to buy everything and anything. You have to curb your temptations.
3. Do mindful research
While planning for your wedding, make sure you do a mindful research. Your wedding be it in your hometown or in some other location needs a lot of research. You need to research at least three to five wedding vendors and the same number of venues for your wedding. Detailed research of every aspect needs to be done. All this needs your time and effort to go ahead. You along with your spouse can research about all the aspects and plan your wedding accordingly
4. Planning early is a key
Planning early is very important, deals keeps on coming your way when you plan early for your wedding. You have multiple options to scour and go for the best. Even you can get the best deals on wedding outfit or wedding venue. Be an early bird and get the best deals!!
5. Select an off-peak season date
Another way of saving money on your wedding is selecting an off-peak season date of your wedding. Though dates in off-peak season are comparatively lesser, but still there are dates in off-peak season too. If you host your wedding in the off season, you can easily get best deals as there are few weddings and the chances of best deals are very high in off season wedding. Be smart, find a good day and date for your wedding in off season and host a budgeted wedding and save a lot of money that you can spend on your honeymoon.
6. Be up-front about your budget
To be up-front about your wedding budget when reaching out to wedding vendors is imperative. If you will be clear about your budget in the very first meeting with the vendors, it will be good for you. Possibly they will understand your concern and also would be able to customize a package for you. There is a lot you can do. Even your wedding vendors know clearly that not every client has the same budget for their wedding and hence they also design their packages in a way that everybody and anybody can choose the best deal as per their budget and need. Try to negotiate with the vendors if his prices are not fixed.
7. Cut-cost in unnecessary things
Of course, your wedding is a once in a lifetime event, but you can’t go extravagant. More often than not, just out of excitement couples especially brides spend too much money on things which they might not even use later. Just because she saw her friend buying on her wedding, she felt like buying it too, such shopping is of no use. You may regret buying it later, it’s better to make a list of items which you necessarily require for your wedding and cut-cost in buying not so necessary items. And you will have enough budget to spend on your wedding.
8. Try to get the best deals…. Don’t just stick to the first vendor you meet
Normally couples tend to start planning for wedding upon getting engaged, so you have enough time to do a tad of brainstorming. Well, the idea is to search for the right wedding vendors online, offline, referrals, and fairs, there are myriads of options to have a list of wedding vendors for sorting out, try out finding, get as many as possible quotes from them, compare their prices and services, only when you find the one you are comfortable with, book! If you will just stick to the first offer you see, chances are there will be others who will be willing to offer better packages for the same price which you have settled with the first one. There is no harm is exploring more options as everything is online, you just have to visit a few websites, contact them and ask them for the quotes.
9. Stick to your budget
There will be many things which your wedding vendors will lure you, but you know your budget very well. Just don’t go with the flow, give it a thought before you even finalize anything. As I said in previous point there may be many things/services which you don’t even require. For instance, your wedding photographer will offer packages with few add-ons make it flair and showy just to lure you. The basic package will surely have all you need your wedding shoot, album, an online gallery or DVD. If you will be lured with the add-ons you will end up investing more than your budget. Be wise, while choosing!!
10. Save on your wedding photography
If your photographer charges per hour basis, you can customize your budget wedding photography package by reducing the number of hours. You can try to have most of your photo shoots (major ones) in those hours, and rest small photo shoots can be taken care of by your friend or cousin who is a passionate photographer and love to shoot, assuming you also have one.. ☺ ☺ If yours is a typical wedding, where every ritual and every custom matters, then you can see which ones are the major ones and accordingly you can discuss it with your photographer and set his hours of work, this way he can also take care of another shoot (if any) and you also get wedding photography in your budget itself.
Besides, later when you have to finalize the print out of photos, get only those which you feel are necessary. Also, you will see varieties of wedding albums with different price tags, go for the one that is elegant and not very costly. This way you will save a lot of money.
11. Go with the local vendors
Perhaps you liked your cousin’s wedding décor that happened in another city or state, and now you are looking for the same wedding decorator… Do you know how much it will cost you as you will have to arrange for his food and accommodation and maybe traveling also. Well, whether you are getting married in your town or in some other town go with the local vendors. This way you will be able to save on their traveling expenses. You should avoid incurring incur extra money on travels and accommodation of your vendors.
12. Referrals from venue managers for wedding vendors
Wedding venues to have their own wedding vendors, you can consider their vendors also, if it matches with your requirement and if you’re comfortable with them then it’s good to go with them. In such cases you can probably get best prices as already you are paying huge amount for the wedding venue for hosting your wedding there. Here, you have a valid reason to ask for some discount in your wedding vendors.
13. See if someone is ready to fund or sponsor a vendor
Well, in a wedding many close relatives and friends plan to buy an expensive gift in such a situation you can always ask them to sponsor a vendor, may be your wedding photographer or one time meal or may be the florist etc.. This is also a nice way to cut on cost and there is no harm in asking your people about their budget they have set for your wedding present. No need to feel shy about it, you can ask you might save some money this way. There is no point someone gifting you something which you already possess, it’s good to ask and propose them the other choices.
14. Save on your wedding outfit
Here are three ways you can save on your wedding outfit:
Rent It
You may have wondered many times why people spend so much on their wedding outfit but when it comes to buy our own we also join the race and buy the most expensive wedding outfits for a two day celebration. And it always happens, whether you agree or not but it’s true that your designer wedding outfit and your reception gown is not going to be used ever again in life. But the money which you spend on buying your wedding outfits is huge. So, you can consider renting your wedding outfit and save a huge deal on it. And use that money in something else, there are so many things to care in a wedding.
See If Your Aunt Sponsors Your Wedding Outfit
As I said your relatives and family members also set a budget for your wedding gift, there is no harm in asking them if they can sponsor your wedding outfit, you will save a huge amount and off course it will be a proud moment for your aunt too when she will see you in that outfit gifted by her.
Set A Wedding Outfit Budget & Stick To It
Well, if you have given enough thought to the above mentioned tips for your wedding outfit and still you are looking to buy an outfit for your wedding then the best you can do is set a budget for your wedding outfit and religiously stick to it
15. Go for SMART shopping
Wedding demands lots of shopping, make a list of what to purchase beforehand and then go for shopping.. Make it a point that you buy only what is most essential. Initially everything while shopping seems important but it is not necessary that what all you buy for the sake of your wedding is important. Buy wisely, you will save much more than you thought.
Venue decor is one of the major expenses in the wedding which can cost you anything from a few thousands to lakhs. If you choose wisely you can still save money on the décor part also, opt for minimal decor or you can go with resourceful decor elements like fairy lights, playful signages, colorful drapes, and anything which is easily doable. Or you can DIY some décor items.
17. Use your surroundings as your backdrop
If you feel your wedding location is breathtakingly beautiful, why not consider using surroundings as a backdrop for the wedding reception rather to go for extra décor for the same and save a lot of money. It won’t be wise to spend extra money on decoration instead use your scenic surroundings as a backdrop to add that extra flair to the overall function and make the best and the most memorable one.
18. Chuck the planner and recruit a coordinator/help
Hiring a wedding planner will price you again, so it is good if you recruit a help who can take care of things efficiently, a person who understands your style and taste, who knows you well and the one who you trust well. Recruit someone from the family member or friend who you can trust completely and you know that you will get what you desire. He/she can be your friend, your brother or your cousin anyone who you trust can be a great help money wise and otherwise also.
19. Trim the Guest List
Well, this is going to be a harrowing task overall, as it is trickiest to decide who will be the part of your big day and who to chuck out from the list. But it needs to be done, there is no other way. Trimming down your guest list will help you save a lot of money. Be wise while preparing your guest list as it will directly affect your budget for sure. Make necessary cuts wherever you feel like and invite those who you feel important and their presence is mandatory. Sit with your spouse to be and both families to create the list in accordance. It will help you slosh down the extra expenses.
20. Keep the big day small
Indeed it’s your big day, but keeping the whole thing small will save you a lot. Many wedding venues provide you variety of flexible packages if you have a list of only few guests say 30 – 40 people at the most. All your expenses like food, accommodation, music etc. can be covered in the most affordable manner. Have an intimate wedding, have only closest family and friends in attendance, and save a lot of money.
21. Go for an all-inclusive package
While booking your venue for your wedding, see if you are getting all-inclusive packages. Many wedding venues offer all-inclusive packages. Choose a package that takes care of almost all the wedding details—without any hidden cost. This all-inclusive includes décor, flowers, music, photography, accommodation, guest’s meal and more. Going for all-inclusive package, you will not only eliminate the price tag of paying for each individual service but also save a lot of money.
22. Save paper and send E-vites
Going for printed designer invitation for your wedding will be unnecessarily extravagant. Use technology and send your guests save-the-date. It is a beautiful way not only to save money but the environment too. Also, you can DIY your e-vites for your wedding and this is downright hassle-free procedure; you can be creative at your best to create your e-vites. Write a poem or your love story on the invites and send it across your guest list, they will also admire you for your creativity.
23. Use the innate skill of negotiating
Negotiation is in-build trait and it is a great skill undoubtedly. If you possess those skills then negotiate with your wedding vendors for the best price. You never know when you are lucky and you get a nice wedding photographer in good prices, or wedding caterer in the best prices. Also, wedding vendors have several packages and deals you can choose as per your budget.
24. Pay with your credit card
If you don’t want to pay your wedding vendor’s payment in cash right away, another option you have is to pay with your credit card. It will just push your expense to another months billing cycle that’s all, and later you may even convert it into EMI’s. Just a thought, if you think it is feasible to you… It’s just immediate burden will be released from your head.
25. Chuck the wedding favors
Another way of saving money on your wedding is avoiding favors for your guests. These favors also cost you money. And if it is really essential to give favors than go for something that is in your budget and is worth giving. Of you can DIY wedding favors, like cookies in Mason jar, assorted chocolates in a jar etc. It will look unique and you can save a lot of money as well.
26. Book an easily accessible venue
Make sure your wedding venue is easily accessible. Otherwise you will have to arrange for cabs or taxis to and fro, which will again add to your cost.
27. Accommodate your distant guests in the same place.
There will be many wedding guests who would be traveling from other towns and cities to attend your wedding. So, before booking your wedding venue see that it has enough rooms to accommodate your wedding guests coming from other places. If you book some other place for their stay, then you will have to provide them cab as well to commute from their hotel to the wedding venue. There is no point adding to your cost any which ways.
28. Go for a combo offer
While searching for your make-up artist see if she can take care of your wedding hairstyle also. Going for a separate hairstyling services will add to your cost. It is good to see if your makeup artist does both. This way you will be able to save money on your hairstylist.
29. Buy what is required
While purchasing your makeup items and tools, make sure you purchase only what is required, and not what is extra. For instance, there is no point buying two red lipsticks just because both are of different brands. Buy what you need and will require in the future.
30. Don’t splurge
Last but not least, spend wisely at your wedding and avoid splurging. Also, try to avoid any kind of temptation. You can consider DIYing certain things for your wedding, like the place cards, directions, wall décor etc. DIY is a great way of saving money at your wedding. You can also consider celebrating your bachelorette at your friend’s house instead of going to some expensive hotel or venue.
AND FINALLY….
So, like this, there are several ways to save money on your wedding, and that is wise also. Saving money or hosting a budget-friendly wedding is no more a distant dream if you equip yourself well with the above mentioned smart tips before you start planning your wedding. You will love your wedding ceremonies from core and would be able to make it a memorable event for the lifetime if you use these smart tricks.
