20. The Wedding Dress
Who doesn’t want a perfect wedding? You might be dreaming of an over-the-top wedding, with the prettiest flowers ever, the coolest photos and music, flower walls and a huge cake, a beautiful wedding dress and other more impressive details. However, all of these can cost a lot of money if you don’t invest some time in preparations or if you don’t try these next awesome and affordable hacks.
We looked for advice from wedding professionals like florists, planners, chefs, bakers and so on to find a list of advice on how to save thousands of dollars and still have a great and stylish wedding. Check out these next tips!
You might feel like there is no wedding without a wedding dress. But you can even get a cheaper one if you order it at least 8-9 months before the wedding – you won’t have to place rush fees or last-minute changes. All you have to do is make sure it will fit, or try a cheaper option like this one from #16.
19. The Three Rs
The rule of the three Rs: renew, reuse, recycle! Do it with flowers from the ceremony décor and place them on reception tables for a nice touch. The bridesmaids’ bouquets are great to be placed at a bar or even for props on photo booths.
Talking about photo booths, try this amazing idea from #3 to save hundreds of dollars.
18. Choose A Different Day
You don’t need to get married on a Saturday or rehearse the event at all – who needs a rehearsal to have fun, right? Save thousands of dollars on the venue by choosing a Friday or a Sunday wedding. Anyone who loves you will come to the wedding no matter the day.
17. A Seating Chart
Cut the cost on personal escort cards by designing a poster with the seating chart, and you’ll save almost 100$ on just cards.
Check out the next tips to save a lot of money you can spend on other important things like food!
16. Google Search: White Dress
If you shop for wedding dresses online, type “white dress” or “white gown” – you’ll see that the word “wedding” makes all prices inflate like a balloon. And as soon as you decide on the dress, you can look for jewelry which you can rent for the night.
Don’t forget about three pairs of shoes: comfy to get ready, the evening painful heels and a pair for dancing!
15. Awesome Centerpieces
Hit the dollar store, and you’ll see a lot of things you can use as centerpieces for the tables. Get books to complete the look, some simple flowers, and you will have a vintage style worthy of a wedding catalog. Or you can even make flowers from crepe or paper to go with the books.
If you’re a bookworm, upgrade your bouquet too…
14. A Bouquet to Last Forever
If you are crafty or have a friend that’s a master when it comes to crepe-paper flowers, get a pretty bouquet with the design you like. The great part is that it will last forever and it’s also cheaper.
You can also use the same technique for the bridesmaids’ bouquets, centerpieces or even for a flower wall! If you like natural flowers, try this next hack.
13. Go Minimalistic
A slim holder with a single flower like a rose or a tulip placed in groups of different heights adds style and can work as a centerpiece, making it a lot cheaper than a huge one through which you can’t even see the ones at the table!
Also, go green(ier)!
12. Foliage is Pretty
If you like nature, then you must also like leaves. And a bouquet or an arrangement looks far better with some foliage which also adds size and texture. They would also look amazing on the buffet table, about which we’ll talk in the next photo. Let’s check out more tips on catering, music and other activities.
11. Choose a Buffet
Instead of paying staff to serve at tables, think if a buffet is a better option. You could save $1,500 -$3,000 per 100 guests, and you usually get more food than you pay for, compared to plated dinner.
As long as the food is great, who cares about plating and impressive sauce swirls, when you can place whatever you want all by yourself?
10. Get a Caterer from Suburbs
Look for a caterer based in a suburb close by. If they’re willing to travel to your event, they will save you a lot of money compared to the ones from a major city.
You could also check for this next deal…
9. Kid’s Menu
If your wedding has many kids, ask the caterer if the meals are discounted for kids. Sometimes, caterers either offer a separate menu or cut the cost in half for smaller portions.
Don’t be afraid to ask for everything which can save you money. Especially when it’s about music and entertainment.
8. Search For Affordable Photographers
Not all photographers started as professionals, and the seasoned ones are usually expensive. But you can ask them if they recommend a friend that has less experience but is capable of capturing the beautiful and important moments.
You can also try to book a second shooter just for the getting ready shots and ceremony – it saves you about $500!
7. Ask For Students
Ask around for graduate-student musicians who ask for less than the pros. Plus, they’re young and always ready to party, so it’s their element, right?
Music – oh, we’re so picky when it comes to favorite tunes, but we can solve this very easy with this next two tips.
6. Your Own Entertainment
If your library of music is overflowing, create a wedding party playlist and even ask guests for favorite songs – which they can write on their RSVPs! They will send back the cards, and you can even find out what music will entertain the crowd!
5. Wedding Favors
A lot of weddings have out-of-town guests who have to go back home, so don’t overthink wedding favors. Give them a small scented candle, a small jar filled with candy or even a small bottle of vodka!
As for other means of entertainment, here are a couple of examples.
4. Fun Activities
A wedding party should be memorable. We dance, we talk, but we should also play a little. Place some stickers and pens and have your guests write funny things for you or ideas of date night for you. You can even get a “guest box” where people can record messages for you!
That is truly memorable, just like an old photograph…
3. Polaroid Pictures
Don’t waste thousands of dollars on photo booths. Get some cameras, props and a lot of films and make your own Polaroid station. It’s fun, memorable, and cheaper!
2. A Summer Wedding
If you plan to have your wedding during summer, and you want it in the outdoors, you can hand out programs that also work as fans.
1. Add Some Details
Last but not least, touching up some details for a stylish wedding doesn’t need to come at the cost of hundreds of dollars. Get cheap glasses and make them look amazing by dipping the bottom in paint. Play with any color you want, and you’ll see how fun it is!