I thought I would do a post on what I did from my wedding last year that really helped me to save some big money! That's always the biggest problem when planning a wedding, when to stop spending. The list I've complied are all things I executed one way or another but if you can pull some ideas from just a few of these suggestions I promise you will save some big money!!
1. Cut the guest list! This is a huge one and the fastest way to save. Regardless of whether the locations you pick are charging $15 per head or $50. Imagine your reception does charge $50 per head, at 200 guests that's $10,000 just for one venue. Now imagine if you cut that list down to 100 people, you just saved $5,000. (I think it goes without saying in this example if budget is one of your priorities, don't select a venue that charges $50 per head if you can avoid it). Cutting the guest list means less food and drink, if you are paying per head, fewer favors to purchase, fewer tables that require centerpieces, table numbers and place settings and fewer escort cards and invitations to order. It can save you money in almost every area of your wedding.
2. Try an off peak day or month. I had my wedding on a Friday night. Highest demand for wedding dates is on Saturday, so tons of vendors offer cheaper rates for things when you hold your event on an off peak day. In Buffalo, where I live, summer is when most people plan their weddings, May-October is considered peak season. I booked a limo party bus that runs for $1500 on a Saturday in the summer for just $600 on Friday. That was a huge chunk of money I was able to use somewhere else in my planning. DJ's, Photographers, and rental sites all may offer a cheaper rate for booking off peak.
3. Talk to poeple you already know who offer services. A friend of a friend offered DJ services on the side of his day job. He used to be a DJ for a local radio station and now just kinda does it on his own. He saved us a fortune compared to hiring from a company (and probably did a better job). One of my bridesmaids had a cousin who shot videos for fun. Hiring a videographer wasn't exactly part of my budget, but we asked him if he would come to my house while we were getting ready, film the ceremony and then get some good footage of the reception, speeches and dancing. I figured it would be better to have something from an amateur then nothing at all. But he totally surprised us, he wasn't amateur at all!! He did an amazing job, put it all to music, included some stills from my photographer and even went around to guests all night at the reception and had them send us happy wedding wishes! Its probably one of my most cherished things from my wedding day now.
4. Watch all your spending on miscellaneous things. This is where I easily slipped out of control. Its so easy to get caught up in the world of weddings. With Pinterest and Etsy there are so many ideas out there and you will want to do them all. Super cute bridesmaid gifts, bridal wear, card holders, unity candles, cake knives, favors, bridal accessories, the list goes on and on, and it all adds up so quickly. If there are things you really want, like wedding day wear, or items for the reception like card boxes or champagne flutes, tell your bridal party. They can help spread to the word to family or friends who are looking for ideas for your engagement, bridal shower, bachelorette party or even wedding gifts. This can save you a lot if you get these things for gifts instead! You should try and keep track of all these little items too though. They are the things you don't ever put in your budget and you find yourself swiping the plastic card "it was only $10!" Trust me all those $10 items, they add up!
I'll leave it at that for today. I have a ton more budget savvy tips for you that I will post another time. I don't want to bore you! You'll just have to check back for more awesome wedding ideas, and to hear what my sister and I are up to!
Cheers!
Stephanie
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