Tips for saving money on your wedding day
That don’t suck!
First make a list and prioritize your wedding-day musts.
Saving money can take discipline, especially when wedding industry vendors want to stress that they should be the highlight of your day. Everyone has opinions on what you should and shouldn’t spend money on. “You can’t skimp on the dress! You only get married once.” or “Don’t you dare spend too much on a dress you only wear once!”
Before you let anyone pester you with their opinions, sit down with your partner and make a list of the top three things YOU want to prioritize. Once you recognize those things, write up your budget and stick to it!
For us our top three was 1. Photographer, 2. Food, and 3. Music!
Don’t buy wedding invites for all your guests.
Even the most cost effective stationary can still end up being hundreds of dollars to send to your whole guest list, and most of your guests won’t be scrapbooking your invitations. I highly recommend creating a VIP list of friends, family, and your bridal party. Send out printed invitations to them and invite everyone else with an e-vite or through your wedding website. It’s much easier to count the RSVP’s through there anyway!
Start planning as early as possible so you aren’t in a rush.
The majority of heavy spending comes when couples feel pressured to put down that money now for certain things. The dress that might go out of stock, the venue that has a competitive waitlist. If it’s not in your top three, take your time. Reach out to more than one of each type of vendor, comparing pricing and packages. You’ll find a lot more better deals if you aren’t feeling pressured to commit immediately!
Skip the corsages and boutonnieres!
This one might ruffle some feathers, but I’ve never been to a wedding where the men’s boutonnieres have lasted the whole event! Nobody likes pinning them on, and the guys look just as good without them. You’d be much better off putting that floral budget elsewhere. Reusing your florals as much as you can is also a huge money saver! I’ve seen bridesmaids bouquets be used as table centerpieces, and floral installations moved from the ceremony spot to the bar! Reuse, reduce, recycle is the best mantra for all your wedding day florals.
Look for alternatives when it comes to your details.
You won’t believe how many designer dresses I’ve found on Poshmark for under $300. (I got my own wedding dress for $40!) Again, this can take some time and can require patience, but finding those wardrobe and wedding day details on secondhand sites like Mercari, Poshmark, and StillWhite can save you a pretty penny! There are also so many wedding dress rental and consignment stores out there! Check out
StillWhite.com and Emerald City Gowns
Don’t have an open bar.
This is another one where I am walking on thin ice but I feel like there are so many pros to this. Most people sip on beer and wine at weddings anyway, and too often I’ve seen weddings get spoiled by one bar-frequenting friend. If you feel like you must you can add on one or two signature cocktails, but open bars are just a money guzzling machine. (We opted for no alcohol at all and our party was just as great!)
You can also ask your venue if you are allowed to purchase your own alcohol! It’s still worth it for the caterers to bring in their own supplies and garnishes, but most of them will allow you to bring in your own drinks. Places like Costco or SamsClub will even accept unopened cases to be returned!
Still want an open bar?
Throw a “Stock the Bar” party! Have everyone bring an unopened bottle of their favorite drink for your big day. You can also incorporate this into a bridal shower.