Be Smart When Planning Your Wedding - Ways to Save Money

Weddings are a special event that often come with a hefty price tag. From the venue to the dress, it can be easy to go over budget and end up spending much more than you intended. Planning a wedding doesn’t have to break the bank, however. Here are some tips on how to keep wedding costs down.  

  1. Set a budget and stick to it. You should decide how much you are willing to spend on your wedding before you begin planning. Make sure to consider all potential costs, such as vendors, decorations, and food. Once you have a budget, stick to it and try to find ways to cut costs where you can.



  2. Choose a non-traditional venue. Consider venues outside of the traditional wedding locations, such as a friend’s backyard or a local park. These venues may be less expensive than those at more popular wedding locations, such as hotels or banquet halls.



  3. Shop around for vendors. When looking for vendors, such as a photographer or caterer, don’t be afraid to shop around. Compare prices and services to find the best deal.  Whether it be securing low cost wedding venues to finding an affordable wedding planner you have to do your research, put in the time, and leverage your circle of influence to ensure your getting the best deal possible without compromising on value. 



  4. DIY decorations. Many frugal weddings that look expensive are all because of a commitment to DIY.  Get creative and make your own decorations (or enlist your most creative family and friends). You can find plenty of DIY tutorials online that can help you create beautiful decorations for your wedding.



  5. Skip the favors. Wedding favors can be an extra expense that is often unnecessary. If you do decide to give out favors, look for inexpensive items that still make a statement.



  6. Consider a weekday or off-season wedding.  The majority of weddings happen on the weekends and in the summer and fall months.  If you're open to getting married on a Thursday in December, you can shave quite a bit off of your wedding budget.



  7. Rent when you can.  Another relatively easy way to save money is to rent items like jewelry, suits and tuxedos, and decor (even faux and wood flowers).



  8. Create a signature drink.  Easily opt out of a top-shelf liquor and multiple bar options by only serving a signature drink or add a couple of beer and wine options for more of a cost-efficient variety.

  9.  Plan a quick wedding.  Time is money and that is even truer when planning a wedding.  The longer the planning time, the easier (and more likely) it is to go over budget.  Save yourself time, money and stress by planning a wedding in fewer than six months.


Planning a wedding can be a stressful and expensive process, but it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of budget wedding ideas and with a little creativity and some careful planning, you can achieve affordable wedding planning and have the day of your dreams at the same time.


Example blog post
Example blog post
Example blog post