The average wedding in the United States costs about $20,000 – roughly the price of a nice, brand new car. Whether the car will last longer than the marriage is up for debate, but it will certainly last longer than that one day of bliss. While a wedding should be a day of indulgence, there’s no reason to go into debt in order to have a beautiful day of matrimony. Here’s a list of great ways to cut costs on your wedding:
1. Find yourself constantly attending weddings between May and October? You can save a ton of money by tying the knot in one of the other six months. Limos, caterers, venues and photographers are often all significantly cheaper in the “off season.”
2. A sky-high cake may mean sky-high prices. Also trendy and pricey are separate cakes for the bride and groom. If you’re on a budget, keep with tradition and limit it to one cake. If you don’t have an enormous guest list, cut costs by using faux tiers to bulk up the cake – it will still look impressive and delicious even if it’s fake. Also popular are tiers of cupcakes, which are just as fun to look at as they are to eat. You might even be able to construct your cupcake cake on your own or with some help, which will also cut costs drastically.
3. As far as cost, flowers are somewhat of a necessary evil when it comes to weddings. To help stay within your budget, select flowers that are in season and/or grown locally. Orchids and roses are pricey, and white flowers bruise easily, so florists use more in order to find healthy ones. Opt for cheaper flowers like daises.
4. Many brides, after spending quite a bit on their dresses, don’t shell out too much on shoes - not a bad idea since shoes are usually under the gown anyway. The groom and groomsmen can rent their tuxes.
5. Saturdays are busy wedding days. Many venues offer reduced prices for non-Saturday weddings. Even Friday evenings and Sunday time slots may give your budget some nice breathing room.
6. DJs are much cheaper than bands and singers. Making your own CDs will further cut costs and add a personal touch.
7. Getting rid of an open bar or limiting it to a few hours will relieve much of your budget woes. You can only serve beer and wine, and use wine at the table instead of champagne, as most guests tend to go through champagne quicker. If the venue approves, you may even consider providing your own alcohol to be served.
A memorable wedding doesn’t have to be an expensive one. By cutting a few corners here and there, you can still throw a great party without throwing your budget out the window.
