Wedding Saving Tips

We are almost down to 100 days until our wedding. The wedding planning process has been quite the job, literally I think it’s a second job, but I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I finally am wrapping up all major vendors and some of the minor ones and looking in good shape for our big day, minus the 101 things that come up that you have to purchase. I have literally made a list of things to buy every month from now until our wedding. Call me crazy, but I am only crazy organized to ensure our day goes off without a hitch. Thankfully, I will be leaving the day of coordination and organization to our trusted day of wedding planner, who has been a godsend. I am sure I would be having nightmares by now if I didn’t have her. There is just so much stuff to get done the day of.

Anyways…

Today on the blog I am sharing some of my tips and tricks for saving money where you can. While I would love to think we would buy and afford everything, money doesn’t grow on trees and so saving money where we can has been key to staying within budget.

Money Saving Tips and Tricks

 

1. Shop around

While you may think you found the perfect vendor at first try, shop around. Make sure the vendor or item is exactly what you want. Some vendors we booked for our wedding, photography for example, we didn’t have a budget for. That was one of those things I care 100% about. Other things, such as wedding day transportation, I was like ehh, a party bus/limo is a party bus/limo to me. In shopping around for day of transportation I saved almost 1k. Crazy right? The crazier thing is the transportation I choose was the same through both vendors. Goes to show, shop around!

 

2. Watch out for delivery fees

I have found while planning our wedding that some vendors try to sneak that delivery fee into the contract. While I understand we have to pay for delivery, sometimes this fee can be a bit astronomical. For some of the items we could have delivered at our wedding, I am picking them up. I figured why not, when my vehicle is more than capable of fitting such items. This has saved us hundreds, and every little bit adds up.

3. Try to book your reception and ceremony at the same place

This will save you quite a bit, especially if neither venue is anything but the venue itself. This also makes it super easy for your guests to go from the ceremony to the reception. We are having our wedding in a brewery, ceremony, reception and all. Instead of having to order double of quite a few things, I have only had to order one, which again has saved us thousands.

 

4. Give yourself time

While a longer engagement may not be desirable, neither are those rush fees that the wedding industry tags on quite a few items. Take your time and plan the wedding you want. Don’t let those rush fees dictate your planning.

 

5. Pick your own vendors

Some of the venues I researched required that we use their specified vendors. While this may seem nice and easy so you don’t have to make numerous decisions, it can add on a larger chunk of change. I was able to hand pick every vendor we are using for our big day. Not only did this let me customize our wedding but I am sure it saved us money.

 

6. Watch for Sales

There are quite a few things you have to purchase; bathroom baskets, guest gifts and bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts to name a few. Watch for sales on the items you want to buy and start early. I scored some amazing designer bags for my bridesmaids by watching for sales and looking early. I had my bridesmaids gifts done almost a year prior to our wedding. Not only are their gifts AMAZING, but I came in under budget by hundreds of dollars. Cha Ching.

 

7. Stick to your Budget

Sticking to our budget has definitely been hard at times, but actually sticking to it has made the world of difference in not over spending. I know it can be tempting to say, “well it’s only a couple hundred more.” Think again. That couple hundred adds up with you get into having a double digit list of vendors.

8. Pick a ceremony space and venue that’s architecturally appealing

Decorations will always be needed to an extent, but picking a ceremony and venue space that is already architecturally appealing will help you cut down on the cost of the decor you have to purchase. Let’s face it decor is expensive.

 

9. Use a free wedding website platform

There are numerous free wedding website platforms out there. I know it may be appealing to have a paid one that may have a few extra bells and whistles, but ask yourself if at the end of the day this is really needed. Visit my post, creating a wedding website, for more details on different free website platforms.

 

10. Lose the champagne toast

Don’t loose the toast all together, just loose the giving everyone a champagne glass. There are numerous studies that show most of your guests won’t drink the champagne and if they do they may only take a sip. While I LOVE champagne and will definitely be using it to toast at our wedding, I am not mandating everyone use this. We are letting our guests pick their drink of choice for toasts. Less will go to waste this way and everyone gets what they want. Happy Guests!

 

Those are a few of my wedding tips and tricks I used to make sure we stayed on budget and saved in areas we could. While weddings are expensive I have found them to be a must in the right of passage from a single gal to a hitched one.

Happy Planning!

Cheers!

XOXO