The engagement hype is dying down, and the reality of planning and saving for your wedding is setting in. With the ever-increasing cost of things, you won’t be the first couple to wonder how you will fund the wedding you’ve always dreamt of having. However, with a careful plan and a few clever cost-saving ideas, the wedding planning process doesn’t have to be stressful at all; in fact, it should be an enjoyable and creative time for you and your partner to have fun! Stay with us for our top budgeting tips on stopping wedding costs from soaring and saving money on your wedding.
1. Set a Budget – and Stick to It
Think carefully about how much you can actually afford to spend on your wedding overall. Take into account any savings you already have that you’re willing to contribute, how much you can afford to save between now and the wedding, and any financial help from family members.
Once you have a realistic figure, write it down so you can monitor your wedding expenses and budget. Numerous free, downloadable wedding budget spreadsheets update automatically as you enter new information. Tracking your budget in this way will also help you identify areas where you might go over budget—or if you can actually afford that dream wedding dress!
2. Slim Down Your Social Calendar
Make a conscious decision to clear your social calendar in the months leading up to your wedding and only accept the important invitations (birthdays, hen parties, and family functions). While it’s still tempting to go out for dinner and drinks every weekend, just think what this money could buy you if you were strict with yourself and put it towards your wedding budget instead.
3. Give Yourselves Time
Spend the first few months following your savings plan to ensure it’s realistic and will get you where you need to be before you book anything. If it’s not working, adjust your plan accordingly. Researching vendors takes time, so take this into account. The risk is that you panic and want to get things booked, so you end up rushing and paying over the odds—see you later, wedding budget!
4. Consider a Non-Weekend Wedding
Weigh up the pros and cons of having a weekday wedding. This could help you secure your dream wedding venue at a reduced cost. You’re more likely to get your first-choice vendors too! Just ensure you run it past your VIP guests before booking; your bridal party won’t be the same if your chief bridesmaid can’t get the time off work!
5. Go Digital with Your Invitations
Traditional wedding invitations can be surprisingly costly. Beyond the invites, you need to budget for save-the-dates, thank-you cards, wedding programs, place cards, and more. One simple way to save money on your wedding invitations is to go digital. Platforms like Say I Do offer templates for creating wedding websites and sending out digital invitations. This saves money, time, and a lot of envelope-licking!
6. Cut the Guest List
Reducing your guest list is one of the simplest ways to save money on your wedding day since most wedding venues charge a fee per person for food, drinks, and service. Do not feel obliged to invite people to your wedding simply because they invited you to theirs or because you’ll feel guilty if you don’t. Creating a budget-friendly guest list without offending anyone can be tough, but remember that it’s your big day and, therefore, your call entirely.
7. Choose a Low-Key Venue
Think outside the box when it comes to your wedding venue. Not only can you potentially save money, but the originality could give your wedding photographer a fantastic backdrop for photos and have your guests talking for months post-wedding. Consider venues like someone’s backyard, a library, city hall, an art gallery, or even a village hall. Get creative with your wedding decor; you can turn even the most unimaginative spaces into a festoon-lit fairy tale!
8. Embrace the Pre-Loved
If DIY isn’t your thing, pre-loved items are a fantastic, environmentally friendly solution. Websites like Facebook Marketplace or eBay are great places to find used wedding items. Thousands of people get married each month, so why not embrace their wedding supplies? You can then do the same with yours after your big day! There are also many ways to save money on wedding attire; consider vintage wedding suits, loaning designer dresses, or buying second-hand.
9. Skip the Wedding Favours
It’s completely acceptable to skip wedding favours. Favours are a lovely touch, but more often than not, they are left on the tables anyway. Save money and time (especially if you’re handcrafting) and put it to use elsewhere.
10. Get Creative or Lean on Loved Ones
Do any of your nearest and dearest have artistic or design talents? Don’t be afraid to ask for help! If you have a floral-obsessed friend, they could help with the wedding flowers. You could even make your own wedding cake with your baking-fanatic aunt’s assistance. Your friends and family will feel honoured to contribute to your wedding, and some may offer their help in lieu of a wedding gift or simply want to make your day as memorable as possible.
11. Set a Realistic Budget
Ensure you and your partner are on the same page and clear on what you want to spend on wedding services such as the venue, engagement rings, and entertainment. A wedding planner can help you budget these costs, but they come with a price tag. If you’re organised and give the planning process the time it needs, you are capable of doing it yourself successfully! Keep referring back to your budget to stay on track and check in with yourselves to ensure you’ve set a realistic goal.
12. Start a Savings Plan
Once you’ve established a wedding budget, you should have a good idea of how much your wedding will cost. Now, get your wedding savings plan in order. A good idea is to open a dedicated wedding savings account, possibly one that benefits you with good savings habits by paying bonus interest when you make a minimum monthly deposit and make no withdrawals during that month.
13. Make Some Sacrifices
Depending on your timescale for saving, you might need to make some sacrifices to your lifestyle. A less extravagant holiday for a year or two will enable you to put the difference towards the wedding. Simple savings like fewer meals, drinks, coffee out, and fewer takeaways will also add up. But don’t push it too hard; you still need to enjoy the process and not deprive yourself too much in the run-up to the wedding. Find a balance that works for both of you.
14. Give Yourselves Time and Do Your Research
Wedding planning takes time, especially if you’re working on a tight budget. There are many ways to save money and many cheaper alternatives out there if you have the time to research. Don’t get caught up mindlessly scrolling online; get out and speak to people who have planned weddings before and who can share useful tips on creating your special day without blowing the budget. Recommendations are also a great way to ensure you’re getting a great vendor and minimising the risks of disappointment.
15. Avoid Popular Wedding Seasons and Days
Avoiding popular days of the week, like Saturdays in busy seasons, can save you a surprising amount of money. Many wedding venues now offer competitive midweek packages for couples looking to book in low season and midweek. Consider a Friday or a Sunday wedding; there will be better venue availability, and costs are often dramatically cut. If you’re considering a destination wedding, it’s easier to choose any day of the week with enough notice, as your guests can arrange their travel around your chosen day.
16. Cut Transportation Costs
If you’re having a church wedding, try to book a reception venue close by. The nearer the church is to where you’re getting ready and the closer your venue is to the church, the shorter the travel time if you’re hiring wedding cars. Ask around; a family member or friend may have a fancy car you could borrow. Simply add some ribbons, and that’s your wedding transport sorted! Consider unique options like a vintage cab for city weddings, a golf cart for country club events, a boat for seaside celebrations, or a moped for destination weddings if a Rolls Royce is out of budget.
17. Reduce Your Guest List
Cutting your guest list can save you money on not only food and drink but also on furniture hire, table decorations, and servers. Group guests into three categories: immediate family and best friends, good friends and extended family, and co-workers or casual acquaintances. Use tools like Say I Do to group guests, making it easier to make cuts if necessary. From there, work on getting a per-person figure on which to base your budget.
18. Catering
Be careful when trying to save money on your wedding food. Not enough or poor-quality food will leave a bad taste in your guests’ mouths. One of the worst mistakes you can make at a wedding is leaving your guests hungry or dissatisfied. Speak to your caterers about ways to reduce costs, like using off-cuts from your main meal as canapés or serving your wedding cake as dessert.
19. The Dress, Hair, and Makeup
There are many ways to save money on your wedding dress, from hiring one, buying pre-loved, or shopping at sample sales. For hair and makeup, consider DIY or ask a bridal party member to help. If you hire a professional, source locally to avoid high travel costs. A smaller budget might not cover the wider wedding party’s hair and makeup, but they could pay the stylist themselves if they wish.
20. Skip Unnecessary Florals and Keep Decorations Simple
When planning your wedding flowers, costs will rise with the quantity ordered and the season. Sit down with your florist to prioritize floral displays
