How To Save Money When Planning Your Wedding

Whether you are a couple that has plenty of cash to splash on your wedding day or a couple that needs to tighten the purse strings, setting a budget from the start is a vital part of wedding planning. As is working out what to prioritise and carefully considering where you are going to be spending your money. Organising a wedding can be costly so if you already know you have limited funds the best way to stay within budget is by being super organised and seeking out ways to save, this will ultimately help reduce stress levels too.

Obviously it would be great if we could do and buy whatever we wanted for one of the most special days of our lives, but realistically, for the majority of wedding planning couples, their wedding budget needs to be closely monitored. Because let’s be honest this will probably be one of the most expensive days of your life, if not the most expensive day! That’s not to say it’s not worth doing though, and whilst there are some areas we suggest you don’t scrimp on, this feature highlights a few handy tips and explains how to save money when planning your wedding. Also, the more money you save on the wedding, the more money you could potentially spend on the honeymoon right!? So here goes…

The Venue

For the majority of couples the wedding venue is the biggest expense within their wedding budget. That’s not to say you immediately have to discount the higher priced venues though. Being flexible with the day and time of year you get married could be a big place to save some cash. If you wanted to have your wedding in high season, you could end up spending a huge amount more than if you went for a low season and / or midweek option. Flexibility is key here! Your local wedding season will depend on which country you are in. For example Australia’s peak wedding season is between November in the spring and March in the autumn, whereas the UK is between May and October. Start by doing some research into your top venues and don’t be afraid to ask if they have any late availability or off peak deals.

Wedding Invitations

Who doesn’t enjoy receiving beautiful hand-crafted wedding invitations through the mailbox? But did you realise that invites can in fact cost quite a lot of money?! Modern couples are now opting for digital wedding invitations in order for this wedding element to be a little more eco and cost effective. They’re also making their own wedding website where guests can RSVP with ease and learn more about the wedding day. This custom wedding website can also include FAQs, accommodation suggestions and maps of the venue locations. Going digital is a great place to pull back a bit of your wedding budget. We have a whole write-up on saving money on your wedding invitations.

Your Wedding Outfits

This is one of the most fun bits of wedding planning, right? Choosing what you (and your wedding party) will wear for the wedding. But when you start planning and considering what’s involved, and how much this might cost, it could end up being more than you had thought, or had budgeted for! There’s the bridesmaids’ dresses, the groomsmens’ suits, the groom's suit, the wedding dress, and any accessories you want too. In order to be a little savvier and more eco-friendly some couples are starting to shop vintage. If that’s not your style have you considered hiring some items? Or looking to the high street for your bridesmaids’ dresses? It doesn’t all have to be bespoke. There are so many options available now making renting suits and dresses super easy, as well as being a fantastic way to save on waste, and money.

The Wedding Cake

Have you always dreamt of cutting into a traditional, grand, three-tier wedding cake? Well, there are quite a few cost-effective ways of having a delicious and beautiful cake (or cakes) on your special day, for a fraction of the price. Firstly, dessert tables have grown massively in popularity over the last few years. This is where the wedding couple asks their guests to bring a dessert and everyone digs in. Another option would be to ask a friend or family member who knows their way around a kitchen to bake a cake for your big day? It can be a big responsibility but if there’s a baker amongst you it would be a shame not to ask!

Venue Decor

Often when you book a wedding venue décor will not be included. This can potentially end up being another substantial chunk of money taken from the budget which you might not have considered before. But, before you go wild on Etsy, there are lots of creative ways to decorate your venue and make it beautifully bespoke without spending a fortune. Start by repurposing and upcycling preloved items, kick start some DIY and get crafty! Check out sites such as Pinterest for inspiration and Etsy, eBay, Gumtree, Amazon, or Bonanza for items that have already been crafted for you!

Flowers

There are a whole bunch of options available when it comes to saving money but not compromising on style when it comes to flowers on your wedding day. Choosing seasonal florals can really bring the cost down as they are more readily available. Another option is to buy buckets of flowers from local flower farms. These will again prioritise seasonality and will provide you with oodles of inspiration for potentially creating your own bouquets and centrepieces. Friends and family could always help prepare arrangements and maybe a few green fingered ones could take the reins!

There really are a wide variety of ways in which you can save money but not compromise on how stunning your day will be. These are just a few suggestions but taking your time when researching, and shopping around could help you save even more. Enjoy the journey and get creative!