How to Save Money On Your Wedding Day

by RBG | Aug 17, 2021 | Wedding Planning

Hey Babes! This post is one you’ll want to save! Today I want to help you get the most value for your budget on your wedding day. I’ve got so many tips and tricks to share- let’s dive right in!

Tip #1- Create a budget spreadsheet. If you don’t have a clear, set plan it’s hard to figure out how much money to spend on each category and there are quite a few categories to consider- number of guests, all the possible vendors, bits and pieces going into the wedding day. Create a line item list and assign a monetary value to it. This will really help you create a plan Let’s be real– if you don’t have that starting point and an overall number, you’re kind of flying blind!💸

The next tip is HUGE and probably the biggest piece of advice I can give you when it comes to scaling down your budget…

Tip #2- Scale down your guest list. If you think about it, the more guests that come, that means more guests eating, drinking, needing a seat, an invitation and the list goes on and will quickly crash your budget. Think about the people you share your life with and start there. If you want to slash your budget, slash that guest list, girls! 🙅‍♀️

Next…Saturdays are PRIME TIME when it comes to weddings. And prime time means prime price.

Tip #3- Consider other days of the week. Like I said, Saturdays are costly because that’s when a vendor’s prices are at their highest due to high demand. So, they will charge that prime rate. An option is to consider a Thursday, Friday, or Sunday. This could end up saving you up to 20% just by choosing a day other than Saturday! Of course, this depends on the area you live in, the venue you’ve chosen, and the vendors you are considering. If you’re not tied to Saturday or the venue, it’s worth looking into or at least pricing it to see how much you could save! 📆

This one’s a big one… it’s all about that DRESS!

Tip #4- Buy your dress from a trunk show. If your heart is set on a specific designer, wait until they have a trunk show. There will be days specified on a salon’s website or social media pages specifically showcasing a designer and a collection of theirs. The dress may not always be carried in the salon so you’re more likely to get a better deal. 👰

Now, let’s talk decor!

Tip #5- More hard goods. Live products will always be more expensive than what we call hard goods. Live goods are florals, greenery, and anything that’s alive. Hard goods such as candles, lanterns, and things of that nature, with no life span, will get you more bang for your buck. So get creative with your decorations and remember, your wedding doesn’t have to be all about the flowers to be amazing! And bonus…hard goods can be repurposed!🏮

Speaking of repurposing- can you guess what tip #6 is?

Tip #6- Repurpose. A great way to save money is to take things from one event to another. Let’s say you’re having a welcome party- why not take the centerpieces from that and use them the next day at your bridal luncheon? Then you’re only paying for someone to transport them rather than for more centerpieces. OR, utilize the ceremony chairs at your reception. While guests are at cocktail hour, flip those chairs! ♻

Now for a word of wisdom from me – 100% isn’t necessary!

Tip #7- Don’t do 100% of Everything. Let’s say you have 300 guests. Do you need 300 menus? Absolutely not! One way to cut down on menus and go from 300 to 30-60, is to frame several menus for each table. Think about this- not everyone is going to take a program at the ceremony. Couples or families may share so think about ordering 75% to accommodate. If you are going to have flip-flops for guests to change into later in the evening, keep in mind that most will be worn by females. We typically don’t see the male attendees change. A suggestion for this would be ordering for 50% of your guests so you are not overwhelmed by all the extra flip flops at the end of the night! Think through what you’re ordering and decide if in reality, will 100% of your guests utilize the item. 💯

Whew, we’re almost done with the list… did someone order a drink?

Tip #8- Be smart about the bar and alternative bar options. Your bar tab can be a huge piece of the pie sliced right out of your budget if you’re not prepared. Listen, if you can afford an open bar with champagne, wine, beer, and signature cocktails, go for it. But if you don’t have a budget for it here are some options: Serve beer, wine, and champagne throughout the night.

If you know your crowd is a liquor crowd, you could incorporate a signature cocktail instead of a full bar. If you know your crowd is all about that vodka, have mixers that only include that liquor. Another tip…Shut down the bar during dinner. There are a few ways you can do this. First, you can stop serving and allow guests to have tea and water for one hour while they focus on the food. OR, have the waitstaff come around and offer a glass of red or white wine. That’s one drink per person for that hour. Price this option out just to make sure you’re actually saving. It will be dependent upon the wine you choose. 🍷

On to the next tip… paper and print can add up.

Tip #9 – Use flat print and lighter-weight paper for invitations. There are tons of different processes, but flat will always be less expensive. You can save with flat print as opposed to engraving, letterpress, or thermography. Consider the weight of the cardstock. The thinner and lighter, the more money you will save!💌

And, now it’s time to circle back for my last tip.

Tip #10 Focus on what’s important to you. If you look back to tip #1 and the spreadsheet, keeping track will help you splurge on what’s important to you. Is there a band you’ve always wanted? Is amazing food your biggest non-negotiable? I would say, pick 1-3 of your most important categories and put more money in those buckets! Remember, for every bride and groom it’s different. You want to be happy, for it all to be great, and to SAVE, SAVE, SAVE! In the end, go for what you want, while saving on what’s not in your top 3. 💕

I hope these tips and tricks were helpful as you plan your big day!

Until Next Time –

Until Next Time -

BYE, BABES 😘